Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for securing shore crane spreaders to extension frames is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable twist locks installed on the extension frame which mate with lifting fittings located on the crane spreader. These twist locks are all connected together through a linkage system to an actuator located on the extension frame. The actuator consists of a lever connected to the twist lock linkage and a shaft coupled to the top portion of a torque tube that extends down from the dock. When a stevedore located at dockside rotates the torque tube, the actuator is simultaneously rotated which rotates the twist lock of the extension frame within the fittings of the crane spreader, thereby locking the extension frame to the spreader. By lifting the crane spreader and the extension frame off of the dockside stowage frame, a safety mechanism is automatically activated which prevents the actuator and rotatable twist locks from rotating any further while the spreader/extension frame is handling cargo. Only when the extension frame is supported on the dockside stowage frame are the twist locks freely rotatable. A removable pin is provided to couple the actuator to the safety mechanism. This pin may be manually removed in the event of an emergency which requires separation of the spreader and the auxiliary frame.

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First Claim