Gantry crane for containers and method of operation

Abstract

A portal crane for containers is disclosed, the portal crane having at least one high level beam, the portal crane comprising: a shipside spreader supported on a first portion of the beam; a landside container spreader supported on a second portion of the beam; and a horizontal transport carriage movably mounted along the beam such that the horizontal transport carriage can be placed underneath a container lifted by the shipside spreader, and the horizontal transport carriage is arranged to support and move the container underneath the landside spreader, the horizontal transport carriage comprising fastening means for fastening the container in a detachable manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a gantry crane for loading and unloading transport containers, such as at ports and railway stations. The invention also relates to a method of operating the gantry crane. Background Technology

[0002] Container gantry cranes, also known as STS (ship-to-shore) cranes, are known in the prior art. Container gantry cranes comprise the infrastructure used for loading and unloading containers at a shipping terminal, and typically include: - A portal structure, which typically has four column-like members and cantilevered horizontal beams located at the ends of the column-like members. - The track system in the beam, and - Lifting gear.

[0003] A spreader is a device that operates by gripping a frame, typically suspended from a movable frame that can be moved by beam rails, and its height is controlled by a motor-driven cable with pulleys. The spreader can be attached to the four upper corners of a container via anchoring devices, typically electromechanical components called torsion locks. The anchoring devices may also include centering mechanisms, such as fins called tilting elements, which are actuated by the crane operator and allow the spreader to be centered when placed on the container.

[0004] Gantry cranes are used for transferring containers between terminals and container ships. By law, cranes must be manually operated by at least one person. The operator managing the crane is typically located in a compartment situated at the top of the gantry; when the gantry is at ship height, the operator manipulates the crane to move and lower it along with the spreader to the container to be loaded or unloaded, actuates the torsion locks to lock the spreader to the container, lifts the container, moves it horizontally, and places it in the terminal. Once the container is on the ground, it is either placed on another mode of transport (usually a container truck) or stacked.

[0005] It should be noted that in the most modern “semi-automatic” cranes, the cabin is virtualized in an attached control building and the operator remotely manages loading and unloading.

[0006] Gantry cranes are structures capable of measuring heights up to 140 meters and loading over 20,000 tons. Clearly, the time required to load and unload a given container is very long, and the energy required to operate a gantry crane is very high.

[0007] To reduce energy consumption and loading and unloading time, the gantry cranes disclosed in documents US3630390 and US5931625 include a beam with a spreader on one side of the ship (hereinafter, ship-side spreader), a spreader on the land side (hereinafter, land-side spreader), and a horizontal transport frame, thereby providing the possibility of moving containers from the ship side to the land side while the ship-side spreader descends to pick up another container and the land-side spreader rises to unload containers from the transport frame, and then the reverse is performed.

[0008] Furthermore, document US3630390 illustrates a crane bridging assembly extending between the two banks of a canal, capable of unloading or loading container ships within the canal. The crane bridging assembly has two sets of spreaders and a trolley for each set of spreaders, allowing both sets of spreaders and trolleys to operate simultaneously.

[0009] In itself, the crane described in document US5931625A discloses a trolley having a platform for two containers and a rotating system for exchanging the positions of the containers. As a result of the trolley, the crane allows the unloading of a container from a ship in the direction of operation of the spreader and the loading of another container onto the ship in the opposite direction, but always parallel to the port line.

[0010] However, appropriate improvements to existing cranes can be made to further facilitate container handling and reduce loading and unloading time. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of this invention is to provide a gantry crane with the following advantages.

[0012] The present invention includes a gantry crane for containers, the gantry crane having at least one horizontal beam with rails, the horizontal beam being arranged to be elevated, and the gantry crane comprising: - One or more ship-side spreaders arranged to raise one or more containers and support them on the first portion of the horizontal beam. - One or more land-side spreaders arranged to lower one or more containers and support them on a second portion of the horizontal beam, and - A horizontal container transport frame, such as a horizontal container transport frame referred to as a trolley, is installed in a displaceable manner along a beam, such that the horizontal container transport frame can be placed under a container being raised by a ship-side spreader to support the container and move the container until the container is placed under a land-side spreader. The horizontal transport frame includes one or more anchoring components for detachably anchoring the container.

[0013] As described in the previous section, the spreader is a device used to grip the frame, and its height is controlled by a motor-driven cable pulley system. The spreader can be detachably anchored to the four upper corners of the container via anchoring devices—usually electromechanical components called torsion locks.

[0014] Due to this crane configuration, containers can be raised in one section of the beam while other containers are lowered in another section of the beam, preferably at the opposite end. The advantage of this technique is that the operator can use the crane more efficiently, raising some spreaders while lowering others, simultaneously moving the horizontal transport frame from one side to the other.

[0015] Preferably, the crane includes at least one support frame arranged to travel along a first portion of the horizontal beam and support at least one of the ship-side spreaders. Similarly, the crane may include a support frame arranged to travel along a second portion of the horizontal beam and support at least one of the land-side spreaders. In this way, containers can be loaded and / or unloaded in different lateral positions.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal beam includes two sets of tracks, and the support frame of the spreader includes a set of wheels arranged to move within one set of the two sets of tracks, while the horizontal transport frame includes another set of wheels arranged to move within the other set of the two sets of tracks. Preferably, the horizontal beam has a double-reconfiguration type, and one set of the two sets of tracks is located on the inner surface of the horizontal beam, wherein the set of wheels of the support frame is arranged to move on the first set of tracks, while the other set of tracks is located on the upper surface of the horizontal beam, and the set of wheels of the horizontal transport frame is arranged to move on the other set of tracks.

[0017] Another distinguishing aspect of this crane is that it includes an actuation device arranged to simultaneously actuate the vertical displacement of at least one ship-side spreader and a land-side spreader, which are operatively connected to each other such that the gravitational potential energy and / or kinetic energy gained by a container descending via the land-side spreader can be utilized by the actuation device to raise other containers via the ship-side spreader. The advantages resulting from this feature include: - Use the gravitational potential energy and / or kinetic energy of the falling container to lift the hoisted container. - By using this technology, multiple ship-side spreaders and multiple land-side spreaders can work in parallel with a mobile rack capable of horizontally moving one or more containers without excessively increasing the power required by the crane, which would otherwise further multiply the loading and unloading time. - By using this energy, the loading speed of containers can be increased without excessively increasing the energy consumed by the crane, which would further multiply the loading and unloading time.

[0018] In a first embodiment according to the foregoing, the actuation device includes a cable system having at least one cable operatively connecting the lifting devices to each other, the cable system being actuable by a drive system. Regarding the drive system, it may include, for example, a gear system, a winch, and / or an equivalent system operable by a motor. In a second embodiment, the actuation device includes independent cable systems for each lifting device, wherein the drive system is arranged to be detachably connected to the cable systems and operatively connected to the cable systems in any manner. In a later embodiment, the actuation device may be actuated by a single motor or by independent motors for each lifting device.

[0019] Alternatively, the gantry crane may include regenerative brakes in the spreader and / or in the horizontal transport frame, such that the kinetic energy gained when moving the container can be recovered through the regenerative brakes.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of this gantry crane, the gantry crane includes one or more parallel beams located at different working heights below the horizontal beam and each having its own corresponding horizontal transport frame. This facilitates the alternating use and simultaneous lowering of multiple ship-side spreaders.

[0021] As described above, the horizontal transport mobile frame includes one or more anchoring components anchored to the container, and the anchoring components preferably include twist locks and the twist locks of the spreader.

[0022] Preferably, for greater automation of the crane, the ship-side spreader, land-side spreader, and / or horizontal transport frame include speed sensors, position sensors relative to the container, and / or connection sensors for the anchoring device and anchoring assembly.

[0023] The supplementary aspect of the gantry crane includes one or more additional horizontal beams arranged in a configuration connected in series with the horizontal beams. Each additional horizontal beam includes a respective horizontal transport frame or a respective spreader having anchoring devices and anchoring assemblies for anchoring to the container above or below it to receive and move the container through the additional horizontal beams.

[0024] To facilitate the operation of the gantry crane, the horizontal transport frame may have a platform for operator access, for example, to control the anchoring of containers to the horizontal transport frame and / or land-side spreaders.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each anchoring assembly of the horizontal transport frame includes a rotation mechanism adapted to rotate the anchoring assembly 90° about its vertical axis of symmetry. Optionally, the rotation mechanism includes a rotating crown (a disc mechanism widely used for supporting and rotating the booms of tower cranes used in building structures). The rotating crown can be positioned on the vertical axis of symmetry of the anchoring assembly such that its center is the pivot point. Each rotation mechanism includes a control system configured to rotate the respective anchoring assembly of the transport frame 90° during horizontal translation, such that each container rotates 90° from one end of the beam to the other. The container changes from a position parallel to the port line on the ship side (i.e., the position where the container arrives on the ship) to a position perpendicular to the port line on the land side, a position more suitable for loading by land vehicles. In a possible sub-implementation, the land-side spreader is positioned perpendicular to the beam. In another possible sub-implementation, the land-side spreader has a rotating mechanism, allowing it to anchor the container in both a position parallel to the beam and a position perpendicular to the beam, and thus enabling the unloading of the container in either of these positions onto the ground. This preferred embodiment achieves several advantages.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention includes a method for unloading containers using a gantry crane as described above. This method is characterized by a first step comprising simultaneously performing: raising one or more ship-side spreaders and lowering one or more land-side spreaders. The simultaneous execution of the steps mentioned in this step allows for the acquisition of the benefits and advantages described by the gantry crane.

[0027] For greater time efficiency, the step preferably includes simultaneously moving the at least one horizontal transport mobile frame closer to the ship's side spreader. This step is considered optional because in some situations, the horizontal transport mobile frame may already be adjacent to the ship's side spreader, for example, at the start of cargo unloading.

[0028] Following any of the foregoing steps, preferably, the operation method includes: placing at least one horizontal transport mobile frame under the container already lifted by the ship-side spreader, anchoring the horizontal transport mobile frame to the container and moving the ship-side spreader away from the container, while simultaneously moving the land-side spreader away from the container that is being lowered together with the land-side spreader. During container unloading, operators typically control the anchoring of the spreader to the container located in both the loading and unloading areas. This step optimizes the time spent by these operators during the unloading of cargo consisting of multiple containers.

[0029] Following the previous step, the method may include simultaneously performing the following steps: raising one or more land-side spreaders, lowering one or more ship-side spreaders, and moving the loaded horizontal transport mobile frame closer to the land-side spreaders.

[0030] Following the previous step, the method may include the following steps: positioning the container displaced by the horizontal transport mobile frame under the land-side spreader, anchoring the land-side spreader to the container, and moving the horizontal transport mobile frame away from the container while simultaneously anchoring the ship-side spreader to the new container.

[0031] More than half a century after the development of the first gantry crane and after major innovations applied to the industry, no crane has been disclosed that includes the features described above, works according to the methods described herein, or provides the valuable advantages described above. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To better understand the description herein, a set of accompanying drawings has been provided, in which practical examples of embodiments of the gantry crane for containers of the present invention are shown schematically and by way of non-limiting example only.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of a first embodiment of a gantry crane used for containers.

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion indicated by I.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a gantry crane used for containers, which has a transmission system that connects the simultaneous raising and lowering of the spreader.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example implementation of a gantry crane for containers, which has an additional beam connected in series with a horizontal beam.

[0037] Figure 5This is a diagram illustrating a possible series of steps of the first operating method of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of an example of a second embodiment of a gantry crane used for containers.

[0039] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A close-up view of a gantry crane.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a possible series of steps in the second operating method of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a possible series of steps in the third operating method of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of an example of a third embodiment of a gantry crane used for containers. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The following reference Figures 1 to 4 The implementation methods of the claimed container gantry crane and its operation are described.

[0044] The preferred embodiment of the gantry crane of the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the following can be seen: - Horizontal beam 1, - A ship-side spreader 2, which is supported on the first part 11 of the horizontal beam 1 by means of a support moving frame 21, is lowered by means of a cable system with pulleys 22 and is anchored to the container 10. - Land-side lifting device 3, which is supported on the second part 12 of the horizontal beam 1, and - A horizontal transport mobile frame 4, which is supported on the horizontal beam 1 between the ship-side spreader 2 and the land-side spreader 3.

[0045] For clarity, Figure 1 The gantry crane's rails or operator's compartment are not shown.

[0046] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of illustration I in the book. Figure 2 The land-side spreader 3, the corresponding support frame 31, the corresponding cable system 32, the corresponding anchoring device 33 for the container 10, and the horizontal transport frame 4 including the anchoring assembly 41 are shown in detail. For clarity, Figure 2 Container 10 has been depicted as having transparent walls.

[0047] Figure 3 A schematic embodiment of the crane is shown, in which cable systems 22, 32 that operate the ship-side spreader 2 and the descending land-side spreader 3 are connected by a winch 5 such that the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy gained when the container 10 is lowered via the land-side spreader 3 are used to raise the container 10 via the ship-side spreader 2.

[0048] Figure 4 A gantry crane is schematically depicted having two additional horizontal beams 1', 1'' configured in series with the horizontal beam 1. The two additional horizontal beams 1', 1'' include respective horizontal transport frames (not shown) and respective spreaders 3', which have means for anchoring to the container 10 above or below to receive the container 10 and move the container 10 through the additional horizontal beams 1', 1''.

[0049] Regarding the operating instructions, they have already been provided. Figure 5 The text describes how to pass through Figure 1 The example shown illustrates the steps of a crane unloading a container. In this example, the method includes a first step A, which includes simultaneously moving a horizontal transport mobile frame 4 closer to the ship-side spreader 2 while raising the ship-side spreader 2 carrying container 10 and lowering the land-side spreader 3 carrying another container 10.

[0050] Next, the operating method shown includes a second step B, which includes: placing the horizontal transport mobile frame 4 under the container 10 that has been lifted by the ship-side spreader 2, anchoring the horizontal transport mobile frame 4 to the container 10 and removing the ship-side spreader 2, while simultaneously removing the land-side spreader 3 from the lowered container.

[0051] Subsequently, Figure 5 The method illustrates a third step C, which includes simultaneously performing the following: lowering the ship-side spreader 2, raising the land-side spreader 3, and moving the horizontal transport mobile frame 4 loaded with the container 10 closer to the land-side spreader.

[0052] To complete this loop, Figure 5 The method shown includes a fourth step D, which includes: placing the container 10, which has been moved by the horizontal transport mobile frame 4, under the land-side spreader 3, anchoring the land-side spreader 3 to the container and moving the horizontal transport mobile frame away, while simultaneously anchoring the ship-side spreader 2 to the new container.

[0053] Figure 6A second preferred embodiment of the gantry crane of the present invention is shown, wherein the following can be seen: - Horizontal beam 1, - Side spreader 2, the anchoring position of which is used for container 10 is the commonly used position, that is, the position perpendicular to the horizontal beam 1. - Land-side spreader 3', whose anchoring position to container 10 is parallel to horizontal beam 1, and - A horizontal transport frame 4', whose anchoring assembly 41' supports the container 10 during rotation by a rotating mechanism 42'.

[0054] Figure 7 The horizontal transport frame 4' below the shipside spreader 2 is shown in detail, in which the anchoring assembly 41' is supported by a rotating mechanism 42' that rotates about the vertical axis of symmetry 43' of the anchoring assembly 41'.

[0055] Figure 8 It shows the method for passing through Figure 6 and Figure 7 The image shows an example of a method for unloading containers stored on a ship (not shown for clarity). In this example, the method includes a first step A', which includes simultaneously performing the following: anchoring a ship-side spreader 2 to one of the containers 10 on the ship, removing a container already carried by a horizontal transport frame 4' from the anchoring assembly 41' of the horizontal transport frame 4', and anchoring a land-side spreader 3' to the latter container 10.

[0056] Next, Figure 8 The operation method includes a second step B', which includes: simultaneously raising the container 10 on the ship using the ship-side spreader 2, moving the horizontal transport frame 4' closer to the container 10 on the ship until the horizontal transport frame 4' is placed below the container 10, and simultaneously lowering another container 10 using the land-side spreader 3'. It can be seen that the container 10 is perpendicular to the horizontal beam 1 on the ship side, while its position on the land side is parallel to the horizontal beam 1.

[0057] Next, Figure 8 The operation method includes a third step C', which includes: while anchoring the horizontal transport mobile frame 4' to the container 10 on the ship and removing the ship-side spreader 2, simultaneously removing the land-side spreader 3' from the lowered container.

[0058] Subsequently, Figure 8The method illustrates a fourth stage D', which includes: while lowering the ship-side spreader 2, raising the land-side spreader 3', and rotating the anchoring assembly 41' of the horizontal transport mobile frame 4' carrying the container 10 on board by 90º, shifting the container 10 until it is below the land-side spreader 3'.

[0059] at last, Figure 8 The operating method includes a fifth stage E', which includes: repeating the steps of the first stage A', but together with other containers 10; and continuously repeating the remaining stages, such as a sixth stage in which the container 10 is lowered by the land-side spreader 3', etc.

[0060] Figure 9 It shows the method for passing through Figure 6 and Figure 7 The example shown illustrates a method for a crane to load containers from land to a ship. In this example, the method includes a first step A'', which includes simultaneously performing the following: anchoring a land-side spreader 3' to one of the containers 10 located on the ground, removing a container already transported by a horizontal transport frame 4' from the anchoring assembly 41' of the horizontal transport frame 4', and anchoring a ship-side spreader 2 to the latter container 10.

[0061] Next, Figure 9 The operation method includes a second step B'', which includes: simultaneously raising the container 10 on the ground using the land-side spreader 3', moving the horizontal transport frame 4' closer to the container 10 on the ground until the horizontal transport frame 4' is placed below the container 10, and simultaneously lowering another container 10 using the ship-side spreader 2. It can be seen that the position of the container 10 on the ship side is perpendicular to the horizontal beam 1, while the position of the container 10 on the land side is parallel to the horizontal beam 1.

[0062] Next, Figure 9 The operation method includes a third step C'', which includes: while anchoring the horizontal transport mobile frame 4' to the container 10 on the ground and moving the land-side spreader 3' away from the container 10 on the ground, simultaneously moving the ship-side spreader 2 away from the lowered container.

[0063] Subsequently, Figure 9 The method illustrates a fourth stage D'', which includes: while lowering the land-side spreader 3', raising the ship-side spreader 2, and rotating the anchoring assembly 41' of the horizontal transport mobile frame 4' loaded with the container 10 on the ground by 90º, shifting the container on the ground until it is below the ship-side spreader 2.

[0064] at last, Figure 9 The operating method includes a fifth stage E'', which includes: repeating the steps of the first stage A'', but together with other containers 10; and continuously repeating the remaining stages, such as a sixth stage of lowering the container 10 by means of the ship's side spreader 2, etc.

[0065] Figure 10 A loading and unloading system is shown, which includes: - A main gantry crane 1 and one or more auxiliary gantry cranes 100, 101, wherein the main gantry crane 1 and the one or more auxiliary gantry cranes 100, 101 are parallel to each other and each has its own horizontal transport frame and its own lifting device, and - At least one track 200, which is perpendicular to the beam of the gantry cranes 1, 100, 101, extends below one of the spreaders of the gantry cranes, and the track 200 has at least one horizontal transport frame. In this embodiment, it is located on a track adjacent to the ground, but it may also be located on an elevated beam, for receiving containers and preferably for autonomously moving containers between the gantry cranes 1, 100, 101.

Claims

1. A gantry crane for containers, the gantry crane having an elevated horizontal beam (1), the gantry crane comprising: - One or more shipside spreaders (2), said shipside spreaders (2) being arranged to lift one or more containers (10), and said shipside spreaders (2) being supported on a first portion (11) of said horizontal beam (1), - One or more land-side spreaders (3'), said land-side spreaders (3') arranged to lower one or more containers (10), and said land-side spreaders (3') supported on a second portion (12) of said horizontal beam (1), and - A horizontal transport mobile frame, which is mounted in a displaceable manner along the horizontal beam to be positioned below the container (10) being raised by the ship-side spreader (2), and the horizontal transport mobile frame is arranged to support the container and move the container to a position below the land-side spreader (3'), the horizontal transport mobile frame including one or more anchoring components (41') for detachably anchoring the container (10). The feature is that each anchoring assembly (41') includes a rotation mechanism (42') adapted to rotate the anchoring assembly (41') about a vertical axis of symmetry (43') of the anchoring assembly (41') by 90°, wherein the rotation of the anchoring assembly (41') by the rotation mechanism (42') is configured to: rotate the container (10) supported on the horizontal transport frame from a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1) to a position perpendicular to the horizontal beam (1), and rotate the container (10) supported on the horizontal transport frame from a position perpendicular to the horizontal beam (1) to a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1).

2. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The land-side spreader (3') is arranged to anchor the container (10) in a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1).

3. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The land-side spreader (3') includes a rotating device for rotating about a vertical axis of symmetry, such that the land-side spreader (3') can anchor the container (10) in a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1) and in a position perpendicular to the horizontal beam.

4. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes at least one first support moving frame (21) arranged to move along the first portion (11) of the horizontal beam (1) and support at least one of the ship side spreaders (2).

5. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes at least one second support frame (31) arranged to move along the second portion (12) of the horizontal beam (1) and support at least one of the land-side spreaders (3').

6. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 5, characterized in that, The horizontal beam (1) includes two sets of tracks, wherein the first support moving frame (21) for the ship-side spreader (2) and the second support moving frame (31) for the land-side spreader (3') each include a set of wheels arranged to move along one of the two sets of tracks, and wherein the horizontal transport moving frame includes another set of wheels arranged to move along the other set of the two sets of tracks.

7. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 6, characterized in that, The horizontal beam (1) has a double-reconfiguration type, and one set of the two sets of tracks is located on the inner surface of the horizontal beam (1), wherein the set of wheels of each of the first support moving frame (21) and the second support moving frame (31) is arranged to move on the set of the two sets of tracks, while the other set of the two sets of tracks is located on the upper surface of the horizontal beam (1), and the set of wheels of the horizontal transport moving frame is arranged to move on the other set of the two sets of tracks.

8. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes an actuation device arranged to simultaneously actuate the vertical displacement of at least one ship-side spreader (2) and a land-side spreader (3') and to operatively connect the vertical displacement of at least one of the ship-side spreaders (2) and the land-side spreader (3') such that the gravitational potential energy and / or kinetic energy gained in the container (10) descending via the land-side spreader (3') can be utilized by the actuation device to raise other containers (10) via the ship-side spreader (2).

9. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 8, characterized in that, The actuation device includes a cable system having at least one cable that operatively connects the ship-side spreader (2) and the land-side spreader (3') to each other, and the cable system is actuated by a transmission system (5).

10. The gantry crane for containers according to claim 8, characterized in that, The actuation device includes: separate cable systems (22, 32) for each of the ship-side spreader (2) and the land-side spreader (3'); and a transmission system (5) arranged to be detachably connected to and operatively link the cable systems (22, 32).

11. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes one or more parallel beams, which are located at different working heights below the horizontal beam (1) and have their respective corresponding horizontal transport frames.

12. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes one or more additional horizontal beams (1', 1'') arranged in a configuration connected in series with the horizontal beam (1), each additional horizontal beam (1', 1'') including a respective horizontal transport frame or a respective spreader, each horizontal transport frame or spreader of the additional horizontal beam (1', 1'') including an anchoring device for anchoring the container (10) above or below the container (10), and configured to receive the container (10) and move the container (10) along the additional horizontal beams (1', 1'').

13. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The gantry crane includes a regenerative brake for braking the raising and / or lowering of the ship-side spreader (2) and the land-side spreader (3').

14. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The ship-side spreader (2), the land-side spreader (3'), and the horizontal transport frame include speed sensors and position sensors relative to the container (10).

15. The gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The horizontal transport frame includes a platform for operator access.

16. A method for unloading a container from a ship to land using a gantry crane for containers according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The method includes: - First step (A'), which includes performing the following simultaneously: - Anchor one or more containers (10) of the ship to the ship's side spreader (2). - Remove the containers previously loaded onto the horizontal transport frame from the anchoring assembly (41') of the horizontal transport frame, and anchor the containers previously loaded onto the horizontal transport frame to the land-side spreader (3'), these containers were previously loaded in a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1), - Second step (B'), the second step (B') includes: while raising the container (10) of the ship via the ship-side spreader (2) and moving the horizontal transport mobile frame closer to the ship-side spreader (2), rotating the anchoring assembly (41') of the horizontal transport mobile frame until the anchoring assembly (41') of the horizontal transport mobile frame is placed below the container (10) in a position perpendicular to the horizontal beam (1), and simultaneously lowering the previously loaded container via the land-side spreader (3'). - Third step (C'), which includes: while anchoring the container (10) of the ship to the horizontal transport mobile frame via the anchoring assembly (41') and removing the ship-side spreader (2) from the container (10), removing the land-side spreader (3') from the previously loaded container, - Fourth step (D'), which includes: while raising the land-side spreader (3') and rotating the anchoring assembly (41') 90° about the vertical axis of symmetry (43') of the anchoring assembly (41'), moving the horizontal transport frame carrying the container (10) loaded with the ship to place the horizontal transport frame below the land-side spreader (3') in a position parallel to the horizontal beam (1), while lowering the ship-side spreader (2). - Fifth stage (E'), which includes: while moving the container (10) of the ship away from the horizontal transport mobile frame and anchoring the container (10) of the ship to the land-side spreader (3'), anchoring the other containers of the ship to the ship-side spreader (2). - The sixth stage includes: lowering the container (10) of the ship by means of the land-side spreader (3'), raising the other containers by means of the ship-side spreader (2), and moving the horizontal transport mobile frame closer to the ship-side spreader (2) while rotating the anchoring assembly (41') until the anchoring assembly (41') is below the other containers.

Images