Shipside cargo conveyance device

Abstract

A shiploading device comprising a pivotable elongate bridge support structure having its cargo transference end linearly movable alongside a docked cargo vessel. The invention is particularly characterized in the mounting for the opposite end of the bridge which permits pivotal motion thereof concurrently with linear motion of the cargo transference end alongside the docked vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for loading a ship .Iadd.having a longitudinal axis, said ship being .Iaddend.moored .Iadd.so that its longitudinal axis is aligned .Iaddend.in a predetermined longitudinal orientation, said ship having longitudinally aligned cargo receiving means, .Iadd.said device comprising: (1) .Iaddend.an elongated structure for supporting conveyor means, said .Iadd.elongated .Iaddend.structure having .Iadd.a longitudinal axis, .Iaddend.a first shipside end.Iadd., .Iaddend.and a second .Iadd.shoreside .Iaddend.end remote from said shipside.[., means mounted proximate said first end enabling cargo transference between said device and said ship cargo receiving means,.]. .Iadd.end; (2) first support .Iaddend.means including .Iadd.first .Iaddend.guide means supporting said elongated structure proximate said first end for movement thereof along a generally straight line path alongside and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.ship.Iadd., when said ship is .Iaddend.moored in said predetermined orientation, said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.support means further including .[.a.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.pivot .Iadd.means .Iaddend.whereby said first end is movable pivotally and .[.lineraly in the direction of.]. .Iadd.linearly parallel to .Iaddend.the .Iadd.longitudinal .Iaddend.axis of said ship.[.,.]..Iadd.; (3) .Iaddend.a .Iadd.second .Iaddend.support .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for said .Iadd.elongated structure located proximate said .Iaddend.second .Iadd.shoreside .Iaddend.end .Iadd.of said elongated structure.Iaddend., .[.said support for said second end.]. .Iadd.said second support means .Iaddend.including .Iadd.second pivot .Iaddend.means for permitting the pivotal movement of said elongated structure about said .Iadd.second .Iaddend.support .[.for said second end.]. between two extreme positions, said .Iadd.second .Iaddend.pivot .[.for said second end.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.being spaced from said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.guide means by a distance less than the length of said elongated .[.member.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.when said elongated .[.member.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.is in one of said extreme positions, .[.and means.]. .Iadd.said second support means further including second guide means and anti-friction means engaged thereto for .Iaddend.enabling longitudinal movement of said elongated structure relative to said .[.support for said second end,.]. .Iadd.second support means and means for preventing transverse movement of said elongated structure relative to said second support means, .Iaddend.whereby as said first end .Iadd.of said elongated structure .Iaddend.is moved along said straight line path, said second end of said elongated structure moves both pivotally and longitudinally toward and away from said straight line path.Iadd., the distance along said longitudinal axis of said elongated structure from said straight line path to said first end of said elongated structure being maintained substantially constant; (4) cantilever means mounted proximate said first end of said elongated structure for enabling cargo transference between said device and said ship cargo receiving means; and (5) means for enabling movement of said cantilever means relative to said elongated structure.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1 wherein .[.both said pivotal supporting means.]. .Iadd.said first pivot means and second pivot means .Iaddend.are longitudinally fixed relative to said elongated .[.means.]. .Iadd.structures .Iaddend.. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1 wherein .[.said pivotal supporting mans for said second end.]. .Iadd.said second pivot means .Iaddend.are fixed relative to said straight line path. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.guide means comprise rail means extending along said cargo .[.receptacle location.]. .Iadd.receiving means.Iaddend., said device comprising support means fixed relative to said cargo .[.receptacle location.]. .Iadd.receiving means .Iaddend.and having said rail means fixedly mounted thereupon.