U.S. patent application number 09/753402 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for cargo transfer system.
Invention is credited to Hallstrom, Olof A., Pike, Kevin M., Wilton, Donald W..
Application Number | 20020085904 09/753402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25030481 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020085904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hallstrom, Olof A. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2002 |
Cargo transfer system
Abstract
A cargo transfer system provides a transport trailer floor with
a plurality of guide tracks that slidably support a floor platform
having substantially the same dimensions as the full size cargo
floor of the trailer; a similar plurality of support guide tracks
being provided in a shipping/receiving facility arranged for axial
and elevational alignment with the guide tracks of a transport
trailer positioned in the loading/unloading bay of the facility. A
powered drive mechanism associated with the guide tracks in the
facility releasably engages a floor platform member to push or pull
the floor platform member along the aligned guide tracks between
the transport trailer and the facility whereby to load or unload
the entire contents of transport trailers in a single movement of
the floor platform therebetween.
Inventors: |
Hallstrom, Olof A.;
(Tillamook, OR) ; Pike, Kevin M.; (West Linn,
OR) ; Wilton, Donald W.; (Kent, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D. OLSON
OLSON & OLSON
2400 S.W. 4th Avenue
Portland
OR
97201
US
|
Family ID: |
25030481 |
Appl. No.: |
09/753402 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/400 ;
414/373; 414/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 67/20 20130101;
B65G 25/065 20130101; B65G 69/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/400 ;
414/402; 414/373 |
International
Class: |
B65G 065/00; B65G
063/00 |
Claims
Having thus described our invention and the manner in which it may
be used, we claim:
1. A cargo transfer system for the transfer of cargo between a
transport vehicle and a shipping/receiving facility for the loading
and unloading of transport trailers, vans and other transport
vehicles, the cargo transfer system comprising: a) a fixed,
transport vehicle-mounted support guide apparatus having at least
two longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart first guide
bearing rail members configured for fixed mounting on the cargo
floor bed of a transport vehicle, said first guide bearing rail
members configured to extend substantially the entire length of the
cargo floor bed of a transport vehicle, b) a fixed,
facility-mounted support guide apparatus having at least two
longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart second guide
bearing rail members mounted on a support frame configured for
fixed mounting at a loading and unloading bay of a
shipping/receiving facility, the second guide bearing rail members
corresponding with said first guide bearing rail members and
supported on the support frame for aligned axial extension with
said first guide bearing rail members on a transport vehicle
positioned in a loading and unloading bay for cargo transfer, c) a
movable floor platform member configured with an upper
cargo-support surface dimensioned substantially as a full size
cargo floor of a transport vehicle, the floor platform member
further configured for guided support on and longitudinal movement
along said corresponding first and second guide bearing rail
members, d) platform drive means associated with said
facility-mounted apparatus for releasably engaging a floor platform
member to push and pull it longitudinally along said first and
second guide bearing rail members into and out of transport
vehicles positioned in a loading and unloading bay of a
shipping/receiving facility, whereby e) the entire cargo contents
of a transport vehicle carried on the full size floor platform
member may be loaded and unloaded between facility and transport
vehicle as a unit.
2. The cargo transfer system of claim 1 including transport vehicle
capture means associated with said facility-mounted support
apparatus for engaging and securing a transport vehicle immovably
in position in which said first and second guide bearing rail
members are maintained in axial alignment relative to each other
and for securing a transport vehicle against movement during
loading and unloading of the floor platform member in the transport
vehicle.
3. The cargo transfer system of claim 1 including guard rail guide
bearing means on the underside of the floor platform member for
engaging at least one of said plurality of first and second guide
bearing rail members to maintain the floor platform member in
guided, confined engagement with said first and second guide
bearing rail members during movement of the floor platform member
therealong and for preventing any lateral displacement and
wandering movement of the floor platform member supported on the
first and second guide bearing rail members.
4. The cargo transfer system of claim 1 wherein said platform drive
means includes a forwardly projecting spear member configured to
releasably engage a receiver member on the floor platform member to
push and pull the floor platform member on activation of the
platform drive means to drive the spear member forwardly and
rearwardly along the associated second guide bearing rail
members.
5. The cargo transfer system of claim 4 wherein said spear member
includes an engagement notch adjacent the forward terminal end
thereof and the spear member is arranged for rotational movement
between first and second positions, said receiver member is
configured with a latch member arranged to engage said notch in the
spear when the latter is rotated into one of said positions for
securing the terminal end of the spear against removal from the
receiver whereby upon activation of the platform drive means in its
rearward direction along the associated second guide bearing rail
members the floor platform member is pulled therewith by virtue of
the engagement of the latch member and notch in the receiver
member.
6. The cargo transfer system of claim 5 wherein with said spear
member rotated into the other of said positions, the notch on the
spear member is positioned to not engage with the latch member of
the receiver member, whereupon activation of the platform drive
means in its forward direction moves the terminal end of the spear
into said receiver to push the platform member along the associated
guide bearing rail members, and operation of the drive means in its
rearward direction retracts the spear from the receiver member
without engagement with said latch member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the loading and unloading of cargo
transport trailers, and more particularly to a system arranged for
the expedited and simplified loading and unloading operations of
the entire cargo contents of trailers, vans and other transport
containers without the necessary involvement of forklift operations
and other complex moving floor systems heretofore necessary or
available.
[0002] Presently, most cargo is transferred on small pallets placed
within trailers using motorized forklifts. This is time consuming
and results in much damage to the trailers. It is therefore
desirable to eliminate the use of forklifts entering the trailer
and instead have loading and unloading done within a plant or
warehouse.
[0003] Systems have been provided heretofore in attempts to
eliminate the aforementioned loading and unloading operations.
However, they all require the trailer to be fitted with a conveyor
system either of chains, belts or reciprocating slats or cables and
associated high cost required for each transport trailer. In
operation, the trailer conveyor is synchronized with a stationary
table with a similar conveyor, and palletized goods are then
transferred from the trailer conveyor to the in-plant conveyor.
These work well for special applications, but are limited in their
use and are expensive and troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In its basic concept, the cargo transfer system of this
invention provides a movable transport floor platform configured as
a full sized floor of a cargo transport trailer or other transport
vehicle and supported above the floor of a trailer by elongated
support guide bearing rails which allow the platform to be moved
into and out of the trailer off of and onto corresponding support
guide bearing rails positioned in a plant or warehouse facility by
a drive mechanism in the facility which releasably engages the
platform and pushes or pulls it along the respective support guide
bearing rails.
[0005] It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the
principal objective of this invention is achieved; namely, the
provision of a cargo transfer system by which the entire contents
of a cargo transport trailer can be quickly loaded and unloaded as
a unit with minimal modification to new or existing transport
trailers and shipping and receiving facilities in order to
accommodate the system.
[0006] Another object and advantage of this invention is the
provision of a cargo transfer system of the class described which
allows cargo to be of any form or shape and eliminates the need of
cargo being placed on conventional pallets.
[0007] Another object and advantage of this invention is the
provision of a cargo transfer system of the class described which
allows the in-plant portion of the system to utilize the floor
platform member as a part of the inplant distribution system.
[0008] A further object and advantage of this invention is the
provision of a cargo transfer system of the class described which
eliminates the need for any expensive conveyor mechanism or powered
drive mechanism located within transport vehicles.
[0009] A yet further object and advantage of this invention is the
provision of a cargo transfer system of the class described which
permits trailers equipped with this system to utilize the floor
platform member as a conventional cargo floor for loading and
unloading in conventional manner at sites not equipped with the
corresponding elements of this system.
[0010] A still further object and advantage of this invention is
the provision of a cargo transfer system of the class described
which is economical to manufacture and install in both transport
trailers and in shipping and receiving facilities.
[0011] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the cargo
transfer system of this invention will appear from the following
detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a cargo transfer
system embodying features of this invention, the system shown in
condition for unloading a transport trailer positioned and secured
in condition for loading and unloading.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation on an enlarged scale
of the system of FIG. 1 showing a transport trailer being backed
into position prior to securement of the trailer.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation on the system of FIG.
2 after engagement and activation of the trailer securing apparatus
and partial removal of the cargo supporting floor platform member
of this invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view looking into the back of
the transport trailer at the floor platform member supported on its
guide bearing rail members, the view taken along the line 4-4 in
FIG. 2.
[0016] FIGS. 5 and 5a are fragmentary sectional views of the
locking arrangement associated with the floor platform member and
corresponding drive mechanism of the system, taken along the line
5-5 in FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the in-plant guide
bearing support table taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an end view of the in-plant guide bearing support
table taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The drawings illustrate a cargo transfer system embodying
features of this invention, FIG. 1 showing the in-plant portion of
the system in an initial condition with a transport trailer T
backed into a captured and secured loading and unloading condition
for operation of the system to unload the entire contents of the
trailer. As illustrated, the system preferably includes trailer
positioning means, such as tire guides 10, for guiding the trailer
into a proper position within a loading bay of a shipping and
receiving facility, as will be understood. Positioned thusly, a
trailer is oriented in a loading and unloading bay of a plant or
warehouse for proper alignment and operation of the interrelated
components of the cargo transfer system to be described herein.
[0020] First, with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a transport
trailer T includes a floor cargo bed 12 extending the full width
and length of the trailer interior, the trailer box and floor all
supported on a trailer frame 14, as is well known. Typically, the
floor directly supports cargo C carried on pallets delivered
thereto and therefrom by forklift truck in conventional loading and
unloading operations. The cargo transfer system of this invention
includes a trailer-mounted assembly which utilizes the trailer
floor 12 structure for the mounting of a plurality of elongated
guide bearing rail members 16 (best seen in FIG. 4) spaced
laterally apart across the floor and preferably configured to
extend substantially the entire length of the trailer floor from
front to back.
[0021] As illustrated, the guide bearing rail members are
preferably configured in the basic track rail form shown wherein an
upper bearing surface 16' is provided on supporting rail mounting
members 16 for sliding support thereon of a floor platform member
18 above the floor 12 of the trailer. Alternatively of course the
guide bearing rail members may be configured to provide a roller
bearing surface (not shown) if desired. Any suitable bearing
surface configuration may be used in conjunction with the elongated
guide bearing rail members 16 as may be desired or needed for
satisfactory support of the movable floor platform member now to be
described.
[0022] As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, a movable floor
platform member 18 is provided for support on the guide bearing
rail members 16 and configured with an upper cargo supporting
surface 18' that is dimensioned with substantially the same width
and length as the floor 12 of the trailer. In this manner, the
floor platform 18 provides a substantially second full size trailer
floor removably supported slightly above the fixed floor 12 of the
transport trailer or van.
[0023] As seen best in FIG. 4 the underside of the floor platform
member mounts plastic guard rail guide bearing members 20
configured to cooperate with the guide bearing rail members 16 to
permit longitudinal movement of the platform member therealong. The
guard rail guide members 20 are particularly configured, as shown,
to provide guard rail stop means for assuring constant and positive
aligned positioning of the platform member supported on the guide
bearing rails 16. More particularly, the guard rail guide members
20 insure against lateral displacement of the platform member
therefrom as well as against any lateral wandering of the moving
floor platform member thereon, as will become clear.
[0024] As will be understood in viewing FIG. 4, the floor platform
member 18 is thus entirely prevented from any lateral shifting
movement within the trailer during road transport by virtue of the
guard rail guide members 20, and further the platform member is
prevented from any lateral wandering movement on the guide bearing
rails when the platform is being moved therealong as will be
explained. This arrangement also provides for consistent proper
alignment of the floor platform member into and out of any
transport trailer equipped for the system of this invention.
[0025] With the foregoing trailer-carried components of the system
thus described, attention will now be turned to the
facility-mounted apparatus of the cargo transfer system of this
invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an elongated table
assembly 22 is fixed in place at the entrance of a loading and
unloading bay of a shipping and receiving facility. As will be
appreciated the table assembly is positioned substantially
centrally at the entrance to the bay in order that it be oriented
centrally relative to transport trailers and vans backed thereto
and guided into proper position in the bay by tire guides 10. As is
apparent, the table assembly 22 includes a plurality of fixed leg
members 24 supporting a horizontal support frame 26 a predetermined
distance above the supporting floor of the facility, said
predetermined distance corresponding generally to the height of a
trailer floor 12 above the facility floor. The horizontal top frame
26 mounts a plurality of second, elongated guide bearing rail
members 28 extending longitudinally and spaced laterally across the
support frame 26 corresponding in spacing to the first guide
bearing rail members 16 mounted on the floor 12 of a transport
trailer. In this manner it will be apparent that with a trailer
properly positioned in the bay, the first and second plurality of
longitudinally elongated guide bearing rail members 16, 28 are in
end-to-end precise axial alignment for reciprocal movement of a
floor platform member 18 thereon between table assembly and
trailer, as indicated in FIG. 3.
[0026] The table assembly 22 also mounts power drive means for
releasably engaging a floor platform member 18 and moving it
longitudinally on the guide bearing rail members 16, 28 from table
assembly to trailer and from trailer to table assembly. In the
embodiment illustrated, this drive means comprises a carriage
assembly 30 carried in a supporting guide channel housing 32 that
extends the length of the table along its center line. Bearing
wheel members 34 on the carriage assure free but captured movement
of the carriage assembly within the channel housing. A drive chain
36 is connected at one of its ends to the front of the carriage and
extends forwardly through the channel to the front end of the table
and thence to the back end of the table and into the rear end of
the channel whereupon the opposite end of the chain is connected to
the rear of the carriage assembly 30. Drive sprockets 38 and other
necessary sprockets are of course provided for the purpose of
driving the chain 36 in opposite directions to move the carriage
assembly forward and back in its confining channel housing the full
length of the table assembly 22.
[0027] The carriage assembly includes means for releasably engaging
a floor platform member 18 disposed on the guide bearing rail
members 16, 28 and moving the floor platform member therebetween by
the movement of the carriage assembly. In the preferred embodiment
illustrated, this platform engaging means is provided as an
elongated, forwardly projecting spear member 42 mounted on the
carriage member 30 for forward extension therefrom at a
predetermined height above the table. This predetermined height is
arranged to correspond with and align with a port opening 44 on the
floor platform member 18 carried on the guide bearing rail members
16, 28; the port opening providing entrance of the forward terminal
end of the spear member into a receiver assembly 46 on the platform
member as seen best in FIGS. 4, 5 and 5a of the drawings.
[0028] With reference still to the spear member 42, in the
illustrated form of the invention shown in the drawings, the spear
member is mounted to the carriage member for rotation of the spear
about its longitudinal axis by handle assembly 48 (FIGS. 1-3). The
forward end portion of the spear includes a notch portion 50 (seen
in FIGS. 5 and 5a) that is moved by rotation of the spear by the
handle assembly 48 between first and second positions as will
become clear from the following explanation of FIGS. 5 and 5a of
the drawings.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 5a, it is seen that the
receiver assembly 46 on the platform member 18 receives the
terminal end portion of the spear member 42 through port opening 44
in either position of rotational orientation of the spear as
determined by the handle assembly 48. As illustrated, the receiver
assembly 46 includes a pivoted lever catch member 52 that is biased
by spring 54 toward a normally intercepting condition relative to
the port 44 as will be apparent in viewing FIG. 5. In this manner
when spear member 42 is inserted into the receiver 46 by movement
of the carriage assembly 30 to the forward end portion of the table
22, the lever catch member 52 is pivoted by abutment against the
spear into spring-tensioned engagement against the confronting side
surface of the spear member.
[0030] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, if the
spear member 42 is rotated by the handle assembly 48 into its first
position of FIG. 5 in which the notch 50 is oriented toward the
lever catch member 52, the lever catch member 52 will engage in the
notch 50 in the spear and effectively secure the spear member to
the platform member 18 within the receiver assembly. In this
secured condition, hereinafter referred to as an unloading
condition of engagement, rearward retracting movement of the
carriage assembly 30 will effect pulling action on the platform
member by virtue of its locked engagement with the spear 42 through
lever catch 52, and effectively pull the platform member from a
transport trailer or van to the in-plant table assembly 22. Thus
the unloading of the entire contents of a transport trailer or van
is accomplished. Conversely of course, with the spear member
rotated into the loading condition of FIG. 5a by the handle
assembly 48, the spear is allowed to enter the receiver assembly
through port 44 and therein abut the rear confronting wall 46' of
the receiver assembly to push a loaded or unloaded floor platform
member 18 forwardly along the guide bearing rail members 26 of the
table and onto the guide bearing rail members 16 in a trailer to
load the trailer in that single operation. Simple reversal of the
carriage movement retracts the spear from the receiver as is
apparent in FIG. 5a.
[0031] As illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of spaced apart
guide wheels 54 are preferably provided at the front of the table
assembly, each aligned with a corresponding laterally spaced guide
bearing rail member 16, 28. The wheels, together with the guard
rail guide members 20 facilitate proper aligned transfer of a floor
platform member 18 from trailer guide bearing rail members 16 to
corresponding table-mounted guide bearing rail members 28 and back.
These wheels also accommodate for variations in relative height
differences that may be present between the corresponding guide
bearing rail members 16, 28. These wheels 54 may be powered or
non-powered as desired or needed.
[0032] In the preferred form of the invention illustrated herein
the table assembly 22 preferably includes means for engaging and
securing a transport trailer thereto in positive, captured and
secured condition in which the trailer-mounted guide bearing rail
members 16 are most advantageously aligned with the in-plant,
table-mounted guide bearing rail members 28 for unhindered transfer
of cargo-laden floor platform members therebetween. In this regard,
the trailer is provided with a frame rail assembly 56 configured
for corresponding engagement by facility-mounted capture unit 58
configured to engage a trailer to position and secure it immovably
relative to the table assembly for optimum performance of the cargo
transfer system.
[0033] In the embodiment illustrated, a pivotal vehicle capture
member 60 powered in desired manner, as by hydraulic cylinder
members 62 shown, is configured to engage a vehicle frame rail
assembly 56 and move it distally and/or elevationally relative to
the table assembly 22 to position and firmly secure a vehicle
immovably in position in the loading and unloading bay of a
facility. This assures that the guide bearing rail members 16, 28
are in proper axial and elevational alignment relative to each
other for transfer of the floor platform member 18 therebetween
while preventing undesirable movement of the secured vehicle
consequent of the loading and unloading process, as will be
appreciated from FIG. 3 of the drawings.
[0034] With the foregoing components and basic structural elements
of this invention thus described, the operation of the cargo
transfer system of this invention is as follows:
[0035] A cargo transport vehicle is backed into a loading and
unloading bay of a facility guided by tire guides 10 into precise,
proper position therein until the frame rail member 56 of the
transport vehicle engages the trailer capture member 60, as will be
understood in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The vehicle capture apparatus
60, 62 is operated, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, to
positively engage the frame rail member 56 of a transport trailer
to positively and securely lock the trailer immovably in condition
for operation of the system. The cargo trailer doors are opened,
and the handle member 48 is moved into its unloading condition
which orients the notch 50 on the spear member 42 for automatic
engagement with the latch member 52 in the receiver of the floor
platform member 18, as seen in FIG. 5. The drive means is operated
to drive the carriage member 30 and its associated spear member 42
forward along the table 22 until forward terminal end of the spear
member enters the receiver assembly 46 in the floor platform member
18 and engages therein as shown in FIG. 5. The drive means is then
operated in the reverse direction to move the carriage rearwardly
along the table along the floor platform member 18 secured thereto
by the spear member 42, pulling the loaded floor platform member
from the interior of the trailer onto the in-plant table assembly
22, thereby emptying the entire contents of the trailer carried on
the full-size floor platform member 18.
[0036] Thus emptied of its load, the trailer may be driven to
another bay and secured in place for loading of an empty or
pre-loaded floor platform member in the following manner: With an
empty trailer backed into position and secured in place at a
loading bay and with an empty or loaded floor platform member
positioned on the table assembly 22, the handle member 48 is
rotated into its loading position and the drive mechanism operated
to move the carriage forwardly to engage the terminal end of the
spear 42 in the receiver of the floor platform member as seen in
FIG. 5a of the drawings. The drive mechanism is operated to
continue moving the carriage forwardly along the table, pushing the
loaded or unloaded floor platform member 18 therealong and onto the
guide bearing rail members 16 disposed within the transport
trailer. When the floor platform member is moved filly into the
confines of the transport trailer, the drive mechanism is operated
in the reverse direction to withdraw the spear from the floor
platform member receiver, the cargo trailer doors are then closed,
and the trailer securement apparatus 60, 62 operated to release the
trailer which is then driven away.
[0037] From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that many changes other than those already described
hereinbefore may be made in the size, shape, type, number and
arrangement of parts described hereinbefore without departing from
the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *