Marine crane hook shelving device and shelving method

Abstract

The invention discloses a marine crane hook shelving device which comprises a frame mounted at the tail end of a crane boom, and the frame extends downwards at an included angle alpha with the length direction of the crane boom; an opening is formed in the side, away from the end of the boom, of the frame. A buffer block is arranged on the inner side of the opening. Supporting wings are arranged on the two sides of the frame in the width direction respectively, each supporting wing comprises a first flat plate and a second flat plate, the side edges of the first flat plate and the second flat plate are connected, the second flat plate is bent towards the opening, the first flat plate has a normal vector forming an included angle beta with the length direction of the cantilever crane, and the requirements that angle beta is larger than angle alpha and is larger than or equal to 5 degrees and smaller than or equal to 25 degrees are met. According to the device disclosed by the invention, the lifting hook can smoothly slide into the shelving device along the opening by adjusting the amplitude of a crane boom in a ship shaking environment through the opening with a specific angle and a supporting wing structure, so that the lifting hook is prevented from swinging and colliding; the structure is simple and reliable, deck space does not need to be occupied, manufacturing cost is low, and maintenance is easy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine crane technology, specifically to a marine crane hook placement device and placement method. Background Technology

[0002] Marine cranes, as core equipment for cargo loading and unloading, material replenishment, maritime rescue, and deployment and recovery of special operation equipment between ships and ports and between ships, have a different working environment than land cranes, as they are located on the ship's deck, a dynamic and unstable base.

[0003] When ships are sailing, operating, or anchored, they experience swaying, rocking, and vibration due to marine environmental forces such as wind, waves, and currents. This continuous and unpredictable movement transforms the hook and wire rope system of a marine crane from a stationary suspended object into a large-mass, high-kinetic-energy swinging body when not in operation. Without proper securing, the hook will swing freely under the ship's swaying, potentially impacting not only the crane's own structure (such as the boom and tower) but also posing a serious safety threat to other equipment, cabins, and even personnel on deck. Furthermore, prolonged uncontrolled swaying and collisions can lead to premature wear or damage to components such as the hook and wire rope, affecting equipment lifespan and operational safety. Therefore, marine cranes must be designed with dedicated mounting devices to reliably secure them in designated positions when not in operation.

[0004] Existing methods for securing crane hooks include chain binding, simple hooks, or brackets. However, chain binding, or the mobile traditional crane boom support and its moving method provided in Chinese patent application (CN117185161A), are cumbersome to operate and may loosen under ship swaying, resulting in poor fixing effects. Furthermore, they require close-range operation, posing certain safety risks. Traditional hooks or brackets have small openings or lack guiding structures, making it difficult to accurately and smoothly place the hook into the intended position, resulting in low operational efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the technical problem of hook placement for marine cranes by providing a hook placement device. This device achieves both safe hook placement and space saving.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution.

[0007] A hook support device for a marine crane includes a frame installed at the end of the crane boom. The frame extends towards the lower part of the crane boom at an angle α with the length direction of the crane boom. A sling is connected to the end of the crane boom via a fixed pulley. The sling is distributed along the width direction of the boom, with at least one sling on each of the left and right sides of the crane boom. An opening is provided on the side of the frame away from the end of the crane boom along the width of the crane boom, and a buffer block is provided inside the opening; support wings are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the frame in the width direction, and the support wings include a first plate and a second plate connected side by side and having a bending amount, the second plate is bent towards the opening, and the first plate has a normal vector that forms an angle β with the length direction of the crane boom; wherein, ∠β>∠α, and ∠β-∠α=∠γ, 5°≤∠γ≤25°.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the opening has a first limiting surface and a second limiting surface, the second limiting surface is disposed below the first limiting surface, the length of the first limiting surface is less than the length of the second limiting surface, and the portion of the second limiting surface that exceeds the length of the first limiting surface bends away from the first limiting surface.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface are formed by a crisscross frame structure. The buffer block is set on the surface of the frame pointing to the inside of the opening, and there is a height difference between the buffer block and the frame. The buffer block is closer to the inside of the opening than the frame.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, a buffer pad is provided at the edge of the normal projection surface of the second limiting surface and the first limiting surface of the frame, and the buffer pad is provided with a height difference from the frame support, so that the frame is closer to the inside of the opening than the buffer pad.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the opening is gradually widened from the end closer to the boom to the end farther away from the boom. The minimum distance d and the maximum distance D between the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface satisfy D=kd, where 1<k≤1.10.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the side of the first limiting surface away from the supporting wing is configured as a closed edge, and the side of the second limiting surface away from the supporting wing is configured as a through groove arranged along the height direction, the through groove being opposite to the buffer pad.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the surface of the buffer block and / or the buffer pad is provided with countersunk holes, and the buffer block and / or the buffer pad is detachably connected to the frame by bolts provided in the countersunk holes.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the bending angle formed by the first plate and / or the second plate is between 30° and 60°, and the length of each of the first plate and the second plate is adapted to the diameter of the sling.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the slings located on the left and right sides of the crane boom have a gradually widening opening from the fixed pulleys towards the hook.

[0016] A method for placing a hook on a marine crane includes the following steps: S100. The marine crane hook support device is installed at the end of the crane boom. S200. When the crane finishes working, raise the slings and luff the boom until the hook support device and the hook are in the same vertical direction. S300, lift the hook wire rope, so that the hook slides into the opening of the support device, and the hook is positioned by relying on the opening guide and the wing plate; S400. After confirming that the hook is in contact with the mounting device, slowly lower the boom and place it on the boom bracket to complete the hook placement. S500. When the hook resumes operation, raise the boom so that the support device and the hook are in the same vertical direction again, and lower the slings so that the hook slides out of the support device.

[0017] The advantages and beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: it achieves safe and efficient placement of the marine crane hook in a non-working state through a purely mechanical structure. The device shown in this invention utilizes a frame installed at the end of the crane boom, its gradually expanding opening structure, and the guiding design of the support wings to allow the hook to slide smoothly and be precisely positioned during lifting and luffing. Simultaneously, buffer blocks and cushioning pads reduce impact and wear. The entire placement process requires no complex operations and can be completed solely through boom luffing and sling control.

[0018] Compared to traditional solutions that separately install racks or hooks on the deck surface, this invention integrates the entire mounting device into the end of the crane boom, eliminating the need to occupy valuable deck operating space and freeing up space for deck material handling, equipment deployment, and other operations. Compared to electrified solutions using motor drives, hydraulic locking, or complex sensor controls, this invention, as a purely mechanical structure, incorporates almost no moving parts or externally powered actuators. This avoids accidental unlocking or locking failures due to electrical system malfunctions, hydraulic leaks, or sensor failures, and also makes it more adaptable to the harsh marine environment with its high salinity and humidity. In terms of cost, the device has a simple structure, consisting only of basic components such as a frame and buffers, requiring less sophisticated manufacturing processes. The material and processing costs are far lower than automated solutions that rely on motors, sensors, and control units. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of the placement device shown in this invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an enlarged structural diagram of point A.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stationary device shown in the present invention in its stopped state.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the method structure at point B.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of each device shown in the present invention.

[0024] Figure label: 1-Crane boom, 2-Frame, 3-Fixed pulley, 4-Sling, 5-Opening, 6-Buffer block, 7-First plate, 8-Second plate, 9-First limiting surface, 10-Second limiting surface, 11-Buffer pad, 12-Gradually expanding structure, 13-Closed edge, 14-Through groove, 15-Counterhole. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0027] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly or implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0028] Please see Figures 1-5This embodiment provides a marine crane support device, including a frame 2 installed at the end of a crane boom 1. The frame 2 extends towards the lower part of the crane boom 1 at an angle α with the length direction of the crane boom 1. A sling 4 is connected to the end of the crane boom 1 via a fixed pulley 3. At least one sling 4 is distributed on each of the left and right sides of the crane boom 1 along the width direction of the boom. An opening 5 is provided on the side of the frame 2 away from the end of the crane boom 1 along the width direction of the crane boom 1. A buffer block 6 is provided inside the opening 5. Support wings are provided on the left and right sides of the frame 2 in the width direction. The support wings include a first plate 7 and a second plate 8 connected sideways and having a bending amount. The second plate 8 is bent towards the opening 5, and the first plate 7 has a normal vector at an angle β with the length direction of the crane boom 1. Wherein, ∠β>∠α, and ∠β-∠α=∠γ, 5°≤∠γ≤25°. The frame 2 extends downward through the included angle α to form an inclined path for the hook to approach. The first plate 7 and the second plate 8 of the support wing can also guide the hook to smoothly enter the opening 5 to a certain extent when the hook swings by utilizing the angle difference ∠γ. The buffer block 6 initially absorbs the collision energy. The whole device is integrated into the end of the boom, avoiding the occupation of deck area. It is a pure mechanical structure without power dependence, adaptable to the high salinity and high humidity environment of the ocean and has low maintenance costs.

[0029] Specifically, the included angle γ is set to a range of 5° to 25°. When γ < 5°, the tilt angles of the first plate 7 and the frame 2 are too close, resulting in insufficient guiding effect when the hook slides in, and it is easy to get stuck at the entrance of the support wing. When γ > 25°, the first plate 7 is too upright. Although the guiding effect is strong, it will increase the impact force when the hook enters, and at the same time, it will cause the support wing structure to occupy too much space, affecting the compactness of the boom end. After multiple sea trials, the range of 5°-25° can ensure that the hook can smoothly slide into the support wing under various swing states under the condition of typical ship roll ±10°.

[0030] To optimize the guiding and limiting functions of opening 5, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that opening 5 has a first limiting surface 9 and a second limiting surface 10. The second limiting surface 10 is located below the first limiting surface 9. The length of the first limiting surface 9 is less than the length of the second limiting surface 10. The portion of the second limiting surface 10 that extends beyond the first limiting surface 9 bends away from the first limiting surface 9. The first limiting surface 9 and the second limiting surface 10 together form an entrance channel that gradually expands from top to bottom. The curved portion of the second limiting surface 10 expands the contact area, guiding the hook smoothly into opening 5 from different swing angles and reducing the probability of deflection and collision.

[0031] In order to enhance the buffering effect and reduce component wear, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the first limiting surface 9 and the second limiting surface 10 are formed by a crisscrossing frame structure. A buffer block 6 is provided on the surface of the frame pointing to the inside of the opening 5, and there is a height difference between the buffer block 6 and the frame. The buffer block 6 is closer to the inside of the opening 5 than the frame. The buffer block 6 protrudes from the surface of the frame and preferentially contacts and compresses when the lifting hook slides in, absorbing the impact force through elastic deformation and protecting the frame structure from direct impact; the height difference ensures that the buffer block 6 bears the main load and extends the overall service life.

[0032] In order to further prevent hard contact and friction between the lifting hook and the edge of the frame 2, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that a buffer pad 11 is provided at the edge of the normal projection surface of the frame located at the second limiting surface 10 and the first limiting surface 9. There is a height difference between the buffer pad 11 and the frame. The frame is closer to the inside of the opening 5 than the buffer pad 11. The buffer pad 11 is installed at the edge of the entrance of the frame 2. When the lifting hook slides in or makes a slight movement, the buffer pad 11 provides a flexible contact surface, reducing the noise and wear of metal-to-metal collisions and improving the shelving stability.

[0033] Specifically, the side of the second limiting surface 10 away from the support wing is configured as a through groove 14 arranged in the height direction, and the through groove 14 is opposite to the buffer pad 11. This structure is specifically used to accommodate the connecting components between the lifting hook and the sling 4, such as shackles or eyebolts. During the process of the lifting hook sliding into the shelving device, the connecting components will enter the opening 5 together with the lifting hook. The through groove 14 provides a dedicated accommodation space for such connecting structures, avoiding interference with the edge of the frame 2 due to their large size. At the same time, the buffer pad 11 arranged at the relative position of the through groove 14 can provide flexible support for the connecting components when the ship shakes, reducing metal-to-metal collisions and wear.

[0034] In order to ensure that the lifting hook can smoothly slide into the opening 5 without getting stuck, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the opening 5 has a gradually expanding structure 12 from the end close to the crane boom 1 to the end away from the crane boom 1. The minimum distance d and the maximum distance D of the gradually expanding structure 12 between the first limiting surface 9 and the second limiting surface 10 satisfy: D = kd, where 1 < k ≤ 1.10. The gradually expanding structure 12 makes the width of the opening 5 gradually increase from the boom side to the outside. When the lifting hook enters, it automatically centers itself using the gradually expanding inclined surface, avoiding jamming caused by position deviation; the ratio k is controlled within 1.10 to ensure that the opening expands smoothly and the guiding is natural.

[0035] In order to provide stable positioning of the lifting hook in the opening 5 and prevent accidental脱出 (it seems there is a typo here, perhaps "ejection"?), the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the side of the first limiting surface 9 away from the support wing is configured as a closed edge 13. The closed edge 13 blocks the lifting hook from ejecting from one side and together with the through groove 14 forms a semi-surrounding structure, ensuring that the lifting hook remains in a fixed position even when the ship shakes, and at the same time providing the necessary movement space for the connecting components.

[0036] To facilitate maintenance and replacement of the buffer components, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the surface of the buffer block 6 and / or buffer pad 11 is provided with countersunk holes 15, and the buffer block 6 and / or buffer pad 11 are detachably connected to the frame 2 by bolts provided in the countersunk holes 15. The countersunk holes 15 hide the bolt heads, preventing protrusions from interfering with the movement of the hook or scratching the sling; the bolt connection method allows for quick disassembly and replacement of worn buffer blocks 6 or buffer pads 11, simplifying the maintenance process and reducing downtime.

[0037] To optimize the guiding and positioning performance of the support wings, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the bending angle formed by the first plate 7 and / or the second plate 8 is between 30° and 60°, and the lengths of the first plate 7 and the second plate 8 are adapted to the diameter of the sling 4. The bending angle within the range of 30°-60° forms a smoothly transitioning guide surface, allowing the hook to slide naturally along the inclined surface formed by the second plate 8 into the groove constructed by the bending angle between it and the first plate 7; the plate length matches the diameter of the sling 4, ensuring that the sling 4 is reliably constrained between the support wings, preventing it from coming off or swinging during ship swaying.

[0038] Specifically, the length L1 of the first plate 7 is typically (1.2-1.5)Z, where Z is the diameter of the sling. The length L2 of the second plate 8 is slightly shorter than L1, and can be (0.8-1.2)Z. This stepped structure formed by the length difference allows the longer first plate 7 to provide primary support when the sling 4 enters the support wing, while the shorter second plate 8 forms a guide slope, allowing the sling 4 to naturally fall into the receiving space formed by the two plates. In actual assembly, the end of the first plate 7 and the beginning of the second plate 8 can be connected by an arc with a radius of R, where R ranges from (0.3-0.6)Z. This arc radius ensures structural strength and provides a smooth guide surface for the sling 4 to slide in. When the hook approaches the support wing under ship rolling conditions, the inclined surface of the second plate 8 first contacts the sling 4, using its 30°-60° bending angle to guide the sling 4 to the support plane formed by the first plate 7, ultimately allowing the sling 4 to be stably accommodated in the slot formed by the two plates.

[0039] To utilize the natural sag characteristic of the sling 4 to assist in hook alignment, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the sling pulleys 3 located on the left and right sides of the crane boom 1 have a gradually widening opening towards the hook. The gradually widening opening of the sling 4 allows the hook to automatically align towards the center of the opening 5 during vertical lifting. When the crane boom 1 undergoes luffing adjustments, the hook is more easily aligned and slides into the resting device, reducing operational precision requirements and improving resting efficiency.

[0040] A method for placing a hook on a marine crane includes the following steps: S100, assembling a hook placement device on the end of the crane boom 1; S200, when the crane finishes working, raising the sling 4 to luff the crane boom 1 until the hook placement device and the hook are in the same vertical direction; S300, raising the hook wire rope to allow the hook to slide into the opening 5 of the placement device, and positioning the hook by relying on the guide and support wings of the opening 5; S400, after confirming that the hook is in contact with the placement device, slowly lowering the crane boom 1 and placing the crane boom 1 on the boom bracket to complete the hook placement; S500, when the hook resumes working, raising the crane boom 1 to bring the placement device and the hook back into the same vertical direction, and lowering the sling 4 to allow the hook to slide out of the placement device. This method achieves automatic hook placement and restoration through boom luffing and sling control, eliminating the need for close-range personnel operation and reducing safety risks. In step S300, when the hook slides in along the gradually widening opening 5, the angle design of the support wing ensures accurate positioning even when the ship is swaying.

[0041] The working principle of this invention is as follows: When the crane finishes operation, the operator first raises the sling 4 and adjusts the boom 1 to align the hook resting device and the hook with the same vertical line. Then, by raising the hook wire rope, the hook slides into the gradually widening structure 12 of the opening 5 under gravity. The curved surface of the second plate 8 of the support wing guides the hook to contact the first plate 7. The angle difference ∠γ allows the hook to smoothly enter the slot. The buffer block 6 and buffer pad 11 absorb the impact and fix the position at the moment of contact. Specifically, the through slot 14 provides dedicated space for the connecting components at the upper end of the hook, avoiding interference problems caused by the large size of the connecting components and ensuring the hook is fully positioned. After the hook is in place, the boom 1 is slowly lowered to the bracket to complete the resting. When resuming operation, the boom 1 is raised to realign the device with the hook, and the sling 4 is lowered. The hook naturally slides out of the opening 5 under its own weight and the tension of the sling. Throughout the process, the gradual expansion of sling 4 and the specific angle of the support wing work together to ensure that the hook can be smoothly and reliably placed and released in the swaying environment of the ship. The purely mechanical structure avoids the risk of electrical failure and improves adaptability and maintainability.

[0042] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hook support device for a marine crane, characterized in that, Includes a frame (2) installed at the end of the crane boom (1), the frame (2) extending towards the lower part of the crane boom (1) at an angle α with the length direction of the crane boom (1); the end of the crane boom (1) is connected to a sling (4) by a fixed pulley (3), the sling (4) being distributed along the width direction of the boom on the left and right sides of the crane boom (1) with at least one sling (4) on each side; The frame (2) has an opening (5) on the side away from the end of the crane boom (1) along the width direction of the crane boom (1), and a buffer block (6) is provided inside the opening (5); Support wings are provided on the left and right sides of the frame (2) in the width direction. The support wings include a first plate (7) and a second plate (8) that are connected side by side and have a bending amount. The second plate (8) bends toward the opening (5), and the first plate (7) has a normal vector that forms an angle β with the length direction of the crane boom (1); where ∠β>∠α, and ∠β-∠α=∠γ, 5°≤∠γ≤25°.

2. The marine crane hook support device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening (5) has a first limiting surface (9) and a second limiting surface (10). The second limiting surface (10) is located below the first limiting surface (9). The length of the first limiting surface (9) is less than the length of the second limiting surface (10). The portion of the second limiting surface (10) that extends beyond the first limiting surface (9) bends away from the first limiting surface (9).

3. The marine crane hook support device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first limiting surface (9) and the second limiting surface (10) are constructed using a crisscrossing frame structure. The buffer block (6) is provided on the surface of the frame pointing to the inside of the opening (5), and there is a height difference between the buffer block (6) and the frame. The buffer block (6) is closer to the inside of the opening (5) than the frame.

4. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A buffer pad (11) is provided at the edge of the normal projection surface of the second limiting surface (10) and the first limiting surface (9) of the frame. There is a height difference between the buffer pad (11) and the frame. The frame is closer to the inside of the opening (5) than the buffer pad (11).

5. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The opening (5) has a gradually expanding structure (12) from the end near the crane boom (1) to the end away from the crane boom (1). The minimum distance d and the maximum distance D of the gradually expanding structure (12) between the first limiting surface (9) and the second limiting surface (10) satisfy: D = kd, where 1 < k ≤ 1.

10.

6. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first limiting surface (9) is configured as a closed edge (13) on the side away from the support wing, and the second limiting surface (10) is configured as a through groove (14) arranged along the height direction on the side away from the support wing, the through groove (14) being opposite to the buffer pad (11).

7. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The surface of the buffer block (6) and / or the buffer pad (11) is provided with countersunk holes (15), and the buffer block (6) and / or the buffer pad (11) are detachably connected to the frame (2) by bolts provided in the countersunk holes (15).

8. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending angle formed by the first plate (7) and / or the second plate (8) is between 30° and 60°, and the lengths of the first plate (7) and the second plate (8) are respectively adapted to the diameter of the sling (4).

9. A marine crane hook support device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slings located on the left and right sides of the crane boom (1) have a gradually widening opening from the fixed pulley towards the hook.

10. A method for placing a marine crane hook support device as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S100. The marine crane hook support device is assembled at the end of the crane boom (1); S200. When the crane finishes working, lift the sling (4) and reduce the boom (1) of the crane to the same vertical direction as the hook support device; S300, Raise the hook wire rope so that the hook slides into the opening (5) of the mounting device and is positioned by the guidance of the opening (5) and the support wing; S400. After confirming that the hook is in contact with the mounting device, slowly lower the crane boom (1) and place the crane boom (1) on the boom bracket to complete the placement of the hook. S500. When the hook resumes operation, the crane boom (1) is raised so that the support device and the hook are in the same vertical direction again, and the sling (4) is lowered so that the hook slides out of the support device.

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