U.S. patent application number 09/808082 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for portable modular factory structure and method of constructing same.
Invention is credited to Kisver, Matthew, Piccolo, Robert.
Application Number | 20020129566 09/808082 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25197805 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020129566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piccolo, Robert ; et
al. |
September 19, 2002 |
Portable modular factory structure and method of constructing
same
Abstract
A method of converting shipping containers containing factory
equipment into a modular portable factory which comprises
transporting the shipping containers to the factory site and
aligning the containers in a side-by-side relation with their
facing walls, to define the walls of the factory and floor of the
factory. A roof structure spans over the top of the container to
form top closure for the factory and access doors and stairways are
provided in the factory. Shipping containers (main storage units)
containing building materials are mounted on a foundation with the
supply containers placed perpendicular, parallel or angled to the
main storage units. The supply containers are movable by a supply
track and the product moved by an assembly track, respectively, and
turntables at the end of each of these tracks are operatively
connected to the tracks to move the supplies or products in a
desired direction. The invention also provides a novel portable
modular factory which can be assembled on one site and readily
disassembled for relocation to another site.
Inventors: |
Piccolo, Robert; (Rockaway
Point, NY) ; Kisver, Matthew; (Staten Island,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert S. Stoll, Esq.
Stoll, Miskin, Hoffman & Badie
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6110
New York
NY
10118
US
|
Family ID: |
25197805 |
Appl. No.: |
09/808082 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.1 ; 52/143;
52/745.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 5/02 20130101; E04B
2001/34884 20130101; E04B 2001/34892 20130101; E04B 1/3483
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.1 ; 52/143;
52/745.02 |
International
Class: |
E04H 001/00 |
Claims
1. A portable modular factory comprising at least two shipping
containers containing preassembled factory building components,
said shipping containers being removably linked together to form a
pair of opposed walls of said factory, a roof structure formed over
said shipping containers, a passageway extending between said
opposed walls of said factory, at least one access opening in each
of said opposed shipping containers for transportation of supply
materials to said passageway via said access opening.
2. A portable modular factory as in claim 1 further including at
least one supply container substantially adjacent at least one of
said shipping containers.
3. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 further including at
least one assembly line track.
4. A portable modular factory as in claim 3 further including at
least one supply line track for moving the supply container.
5. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 wherein a supply
container is placed substantially perpendicular to each shipping
container.
6. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 wherein a supply
container is placed substantially parallel to each shipping
container.
7. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 wherein at least two
spaced apart supply containers are placed substantially
perpendicular to a shipping container.
8. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 wherein at least two
spaced apart supply containers are placed substantially adjacent to
at least one shipping container.
9. A portable modular factory as in claim 4 wherein at least one
supply container is placed substantially parallel to each shipping
container in supply communication through said access opening to
said passageway.
10. A portable modular factory as in claim 4 further including a
means at the respective ends of each of said tracks operatively
associated therewith for causing movement of each track.
11. A portable modular factory as in claim 10 wherein each of said
means is a turntable.
12. A portable modular factory as in claim 2 wherein at least two
rows of at least one main storage unit stacked one above the other
and wherein a stairway is provided for access from one row to the
other.
13. A portable modular factory as in claim 3 wherein at least two
rows of at least one shipping container each are stacked one above
the other and wherein a stairway is provided for access from one
row to the other.
14. A portable modular factory as in claim 4 wherein at least two
rows of at least one shipping container stacked one above the other
and wherein a stairway is provided for access from one row to the
other.
15. The method of constructing a portable modular factory from
shipping containers containing factory components in said
containers, said method comprising: (a) securing at least two
shipping containers on a supporting foundation, linking said
containers in substantially abutting relation to form walls of said
factory, (b) installing a roof structure over the top of said
containers, (c) installing an access opening in the side walls of
at least one of said shipping containers, (d) installing an
assembly track for moving product through said factory.
16. A method as in claim 15 wherein each shipping container is
located offsite and transporting each container to the factory
site.
17. A method as in claim 15 wherein means is used for moving said
product through said factory.
18. A method as in claim 16 wherein means is used for moving said
product through said factory.
19. A method as in claim 15 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other and a stairway is
installed for access from a lower row to an upper row.
20. A method as in claim 16 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other and a stairway is
installed for access from a lower row to an upper row.
21. A method as in claim 17 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other and a stairway is
installed for access from a lower row to an upper row.
22. A method of fabricating modular buildings through the use of a
modular factory, comprising the steps of: (a) adapting shipping
containers for combination into a modular factory, (b) further
adapting said shipping containers to contain equipment for
fabricating modular buildings, (c) transporting said shipping
containers to a factory site, (d) combining said shipping
containers to form a modular factory on said factory site, and (e)
fabricating modular buildings at least in part in said modular
factory.
23. A method of fabricating modular buildings through the use of a
modular factory in accordance with claim 22, additionally
comprising the step of: further adapting said shipping containers
for receiving supplies for fabricating modular buildings by means
of external openings therein and for delivering said supplies by
means of internal openings therein.
24. A method of fabricating modular buildings through the use of a
modular factory in accordance with claim 23, additionally
comprising the step of: (a) adapting said external openings to
receive supply container modules, (b) locating said internal
openings opposite said external openings to permit straight line
pass through of supplies from said supply container modules through
said shipping containers to the factory floor of said modular
factory.
25. A method of fabricating modular buildings through the use of a
modular factory in accordance with claim 23, additionally
comprising the step of: (a) raising entire factory to conventional
truck dock elevation, and (b) locating standard container and
trailer to external openings to supply factory.
26. A method as in claim 22 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other, and a stairway is
installed for access from one row to the other row.
27. A method as in claim 23 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other, and a stairway is
installed for access from one row to the other row.
28. A method as in claim 24 wherein at least two rows of shipping
containers are stacked each over the other, and a stairway is
installed for access from the lower level to the upper level.
29. A modular building fabricated by the method of claim 22.
30. A modular building fabricated by the method of claim 23.
31. A modular building fabricated by the method of claim 24.
32. A modular building fabricated by the method of claim 25.
33. A system for fabricating products on a temporary site through
the use of a portable factory, comprising the steps of: (a)
selecting a site, (b) preparing said site to receive a portable
factory, (c) assembling a plurality of first shipping containers to
form a portable factory on said site, and (d) fabricating products
by means of said portable factory.
34. A system for fabricating products on a temporary site through
the use of a portable factory in accordance with claim 33,
additionally comprising the steps of: (a) docking supply shipping
containers to at least one opening provided in an external wall of
at least one of said first shipping containers of said portable
factory, and (b) delivering supplies to said portable factory by
means of said supply shipping containers.
35. A system for fabricating products on a temporary site through
the use of a portable factory in accordance with claim 33,
additionally comprising the steps of: (a) disassembling said
portable factory, and (b) removing at least one of said first
shipping containers from said site.
36. A building fabricated by the system of claim 33.
37. A building fabricated by the system of claim 34.
38. A building fabricated by the system of claim 35.
39. A system as in claim 33 wherein said product is a building.
40. A system as in claim 34 wherein said product is a building.
41. A system as in claim 35 wherein said product is a building.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates broadly to a method of on-site
assembly of a modular structure and to the structure made by this
method. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of
on-site assembly of a factory using multiple shipping containers
transported to the site and joined together at the site to form a
factory, and which can be disassembled and moved to another site.
In a particular aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method of using shipping container modules for the construction of
an open ended assembly line plant with continuous pass through of
supplies externally and laterally of the assembly line, which plant
is adapted to be disassembled and transported to another site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The fabrication and assembly of a structure such as a house
or a factory is usually accomplished on-site using conventional
equipment, materials of construction and construction procedures.
Several problems are common and inherent in conventional
construction of houses or other structures. These problems include
subcontracting the various disciplines and their coordination,
safety, quality control, availability of materials at the time they
are needed, weather-related delays, theft and vandalism, all of
which can cause delay in completing the construction, frequently
adding to the construction cost and resulting in reduction of
anticipated profits. For some time modular homes or modular
building have received considerable attention due to lower cost,
higher quality and energy efficiency, the speed of construction and
ease of transportation, and rapid assembly at the site on a
pre-installed foundation. As it can be appreciated, however, the
transportation of pre-fabricated structures or "prefabs" as they
are sometimes called, can be limited to their module size. Thus, as
a practical matter, it is inconvenient, impractical and
economically disadvantageous to ship large factories or assembly
plants from one site to another, often at distant location.
[0003] The aforementioned difficulties have been recognized and, to
some extent, addressed by some of the prior art workers in this
field. Thus, in an effort to provide a more efficient alternative
home construction then what was theretofore available, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,605,350 issued to William S. Bowers on Sep. 20, 1971
discloses a relocatable building constructed by the combination of
two or more modular building units to form a school structure or
other habitable structure.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,679 issued to Berman et al. on Dec. 9,
1975 and its reissue patent, Re No. 30,229 issued on Mar. 11, 1981
disclose the use of multiple shipping containers as structural
building modules for transporting equipment to the final
installation site and then joining the shipping container modules
together to form an integral building structure.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,829 issued to John M. DiMartino, Sr. on
Jul. 15, 1986 discloses the use of multiple modular containers to
be joined together to form a building such as, e.g., hospital,
school and low cost housing.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,841 issued to John C. Ellington, III on
May 30, 1989 discloses a form of prefabricated transportable
building module with a particular structural design adapted for
stand-alone or placed in side-by-side and/or vertically stacked
relation with other modules for forming a complete building on a
building site with a particular light weight roof structure
frame.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,094 issued to Phillip C. Clark on Aug.
8, 1989 describes a method for converting one or more steel
shipping containers to a habitable structure. According to this
patent, a single steel shipping container may be used as the
structure, or several steel shipping containers having removable
panels joined together in spaced and/or abutting relationship to
form a habitable building with a roof structure, windows and
doors.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,817 issued to Jerry Speer on Feb. 27,
1996 describes a transportable mobile workshop and discloses a
shipping container having factory equipment mounted at various
places within the container for use on oil rig sites.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,491 issued Aug. 12, 1997 to Cassani et
al. discloses the construction of a system of mobile modules
connected together and integrated with one another for use as
biochemical plant. The plant can be disassembled into its
individual modules and transported to a different site.
[0010] Notwithstanding the attention of the prior art workers and
their efforts, the need exists for a method for on-site
construction of an open-ended assembly line plant using shipping
containers with continuous passthrough of supply materials to the
plant, fabrication and removal of products from the assembly
line.
[0011] Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention
to provide a method for on-site assembling of a modular
structure.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
method of on-site assembly of a structure using multiple shipping
containers transported to the site and joined together at the site
to form a building structure such as a factory.
[0013] It is another object of this invention to provide a method
of using shipping container modules containing assembly line
equipment for the construction of an open-ended manufacturing plant
with a continuous passthrough of supplies into the plant for
fabrication and removal of product from the plant.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a method for constructing such assembly line plant adapted to be
disassembled and transported in its entirety to another
location.
[0015] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a structure such as a plant or a factory of the type herein
described.
[0016] It is yet an additional object of the present invention to
provide a modular factory for the purpose of manufacturing products
such as modular homes.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more apparent from the ensuing detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
which form part of this application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention provides a method for constructing
modular factory from standard shipping containers. The shipping
containers which contain the equipment and parts in pre-assembled
position are shipped to the site where they are linked together to
define the walls of the factory which surround the factory
equipment. A roof structure covers the shipping containers from one
side wall to the other and one or more doors in the sides of the
shipping container permits access to the interior of the factory.
Supply containers can be mounted on a slab or other suitable
surface adjacent the main storage containers, preferably in
perpendicular relation, in order to assure the continuous supply of
factory materials. An optional supply track moves the supply
containers in order to deliver the supply materials inside the
factory and also to transport products outside the factory. An
optional foundation comprised of half height shipping containers
raises the factory to a height of a conventional truck dock for
tractor-trailers to dock to provide supplies.
[0019] The term shipping containers as used herein refers to the
those containers used in combination to form the factory walls and
they are also referred to as storage containers or main storage
containers as they also have a storage function. The containers
used to provide supplies to the factory may also be standard
shipping containers but are referred to as supply containers to
avoid confusion with those used to form the factory walls.
[0020] The main storage containers may also be stacked in rows, if
desired, and stairways are installed for providing access from one
level to the other. The supply containers can be moved on a supply
track with turntables located at the ends of the assembly track and
the supply tracks for moving the carriages or supply containers to
the desired location(s).
[0021] The present invention also provides a portable modular
factory which can be assembled on site and readily disassembled for
transporting the factory to another site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are
employed to designate like parts wherever possible:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel factory constructed
according to the present invention showing the shipping containers
aligned in abutting position relative to each other to form the
building walls, and further showing the supply containers used for
delivery of the materials required for product fabrication;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a facade perspective view of the factory shown in
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of the interior of
the factory;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a single track version of the
factory illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 showing three sets of shipping
containers aligned in parallel to form the building wall;
[0027] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 with the addition of single
perpendicular supply container;
[0028] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except for using double
perpendicular supply containers;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with shipping containers
and a single assembly track and parallel abutting supply
containers;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except for using
additional shipping containers and increased assembly line track
length;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the addition of
parallel supply containers and supply tracks for movement of these
containers;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the addition of
turn tables located at the respective ends of each track;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with additional
shipping containers and supply containers, and corresponding
addition of assembly track, supply track and turn tables at the
terminal ends of the track that represents a segment of an
unlimited multiple assembly line plant;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the addition of
another assembly track, and turnout for parallel or switch-back
assembly line(s);
[0035] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the factory shown in
FIG. 2 with roll-down doors in closed position;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the factory shown in
FIG. 4 having three sets of storage units;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 15-15
of FIG. 12;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a partly perspective schematic view illustrating
the method of loading and unloading supply containers on-off
tractor trailers by means of automotive lifts;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a plan or aerial view showing one movement
sequence of the supply containers (or carriages), their unloading
and positioning using turntables in accordance with the method of
this invention; and
[0040] FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 13 having half-height containers
as a foundation or base to elevate first level main storage units
to standard truck dock height.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0041] In the ensuing description of the invention the term
"building" is sometimes used to refer to a factory or a plant
constructed by the method of the present invention. Also the terms
"shipping containers" and "storage containers" refer to containers
generally made of steel. These containers contain various factory
components mounted therein at defined positions prior to their
transportation to the building site.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, and in particular to FIG. 1,
there is shown steel shipping containers 24 stacked and aligned
relative to each other thus forming the major components of the
building. The shipping containers 24 are bolted to the primary slab
44 by conventional means, and they abut one another with a gasket
to form a weather tight seal. Two sets of steel shipping containers
24 are shown set on the slab 44 in order to define the length of
the building. These shipping containers are modified prior to
assembly at an offsite location by adding one or more sets of water
tight doors 58 on the side walls of each container 24. Each door is
welded to the structural frame of the container similar to the
doors on the end walls of a standard container.
[0043] The shipping containers 24 are removably linked together to
form the building walls, but not necessarily linked to the opposite
structure. A roof structure 36 spans the top of the shipping
containers, said roof being an inflatable membrane, although other
roof structure may be installed such as, e.g., a truss system.
Steel cables 70 are attached via clamps and turn buckles (not shown
in the drawing) to the walls of the storage containers. The
membrane roof can then be unfolded across the cables and inflated
by a compressor. The membrane roof can be attached via pegs through
the top storage container or via clamps and ties to the steel
cables. The roof end walls (gables) 34 are assembled and installed
in a similar manner. An exhaust fan 32 is installed in each roof
end wall 34 via a bolted channel to the door header 54 (not shown).
The end walls house one or more standard roll up garage doors 62.
Column 48 (optional) is bolted at its base 50 to the slab 44 and is
anchored thereto. The opening header 54 (not shown) is bolted to
the column 48 and the main storage units 24 via brackets. Door
tracks 64 are bolted to the main storage unit 24 and the column 48
on either side. The overhead door 68 is installed by directly
bolting it to the header (not shown).
[0044] Also shown in FIGS. 1-3 are supply containers 22 for
continuous supply of materials to the production floors of the
building. The supply containers 22 are placed on the auxiliary slab
46 perpendicularly against the storage containers 24 at the door
opening 58. A standard vinyl and foam-docking collar is placed
around the door opening 58 to insure weather tight seal between the
containers.
[0045] Assembly line production is facilitated by the parallel
rails or tracks 26 which are installed on the slab 44 and are
fastened thereto. As shown for example in FIG. 2, the tracks 26 run
parallel to the end walls and carry a carriage 42 for use in
assembling the modular building, and other products. The carriage
42 runs down one side of the building at various assembly stations
and, if needed, a switch track 28 is installed to shift fabrication
functions to another set of parallel tracks inside the factory or
to operate two assembly lines simultaneously.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, moveable stairs 52 are installed to
allow access to the upper main storage units when the shipping
containers are in stacked position to form a building having more
than one level. The steel cables 70 across the top of the walls 20
serve several purposes, from lateral ties to support for the
lighting 72 and utilities. The lights may be suspended from the
cables 70 with standard cable clamps. Pneumatic lines suspended
from the cables feed different tools at each workstation. Lighting
and utilities can also be supported by brackets in conventional
manner. Brackets can be bolted to the walls of the main storage
units. Roof supports such as trusses can also be utilized.
[0047] In FIG. 4, three sets of storage units 24 are removably
linked and aligned in parallel position to define the walls of the
building. Also shown is the roof structure outline 36 and the stair
unit 52 in relation to the upper storage containers in order to
permit access to these containers. A single assembly track 26
provides for movement of the carriages 42.
[0048] In FIG. 5, the perpendicular supply containers 22 are shown
placed at the same elevation as the main storage containers 24 by
conventional methods thus allowing a greater amount of material
supply to the factory.
[0049] In order to allow for even greater or continuous supply of
material to the factory, double perpendicular supply containers 22
are placed adjacent each storage wall 24. See FIG. 6. The provision
of double supply containers allow an empty container to be removed
and replaced while the second container continues to supply
materials. Space savings on a restricted site may be realized by
the addition of parallel abutting supply containers 22, as shown in
FIG. 7. Addition of more storage containers as in FIG. 8 results in
further growth to the building. With the addition of storage
containers, the roof structure 36 must be extended along with the
assembly track 26 and the number of stair units 52. If desired, and
as shown in FIG. 9, parallel supply containers may be placed on the
supply track 27. These supply containers are placed on wheeled
assemblies or carriages by conventional methods, such as a crane or
automotive lift 84 and can be moved as required for the assembly,
or as needed for materials in the factory. If the factory is raised
and used as a conventional truck dock as shown in FIG. 18 then
supplies are provided by parking tractor trailers perpendicular to
exterior walls of the factory.
[0050] In order to further improve movement of the supply
containers, there is shown, in FIG. 10, the turn tables 78 located
at the ends of the assembly track 26 and supply track 27 for
movement of products and supplies. The use of turn tables 78 allows
for supply container 22 or the products to be moved in any desired
sequence.
[0051] In FIG. 11, the storage containers 24 are placed in
alternating fashion relative to the assembly track 26 and supply
track 27. In this arrangement, the roof 36 will cover the factory
floor of each set of storage containers 24. As in the embodiment of
FIG. 10, the turntables 78 are installed at the ends of the tracks,
allowing for movement of the products or the supply containers 22.
Thus, this method provides for unlimited growth of the factory in
both lateral direction (as in FIG. 8), and the parallel direction.
Factory height can be increased, if desired, by stacking additional
main storage units 24 and supply containers 22.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 12, the invention illustrated therein is
similar to that described in connection with FIG. 6, but for the
addition of another assembly track 26. Thus, the storage containers
24 are placed further apart in order to accommodate additional
track. Dual perpendicular supply containers 22 are used, however,
if desired, single parallel or angled supply containers can be
used. As in all storage wall containers, there are door openings in
each side 56 in order to allow for flow of supply materials.
Additional support column 48 is provided to support the overhead
doors 68 (see FIG. 13) and the additional width of the factory.
Switch tracks 28 permit switching from one track to another.
[0053] As previously discussed in relation to the building
structure illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, and referring to FIG. 13, the
parallel main storage units 24 are stacked and placed on primary
slab 44 or other material or prefabricated deck and are secured
thereto. If necessary, a secondary slab 46 is used to support the
supply containers 22 shown perpendicular to the storage containers.
At each end wall, an optional column 48 is placed to support the
overhead door unit 68. The overhead door tracks 64 are fastened to
the interior walls of the main storage units and the optional
column 48 to allow proper functioning. Located above the door unit
68 is the roof end 34 housing the exhaust fan 32 to permit air
circulation.
[0054] In FIG. 14, there is shown a side elevation of the structure
shown in FIGS. 6 and 12 with three sets of abutting storage
containers 24, and dual perpendicular supply containers 22 placed
on the secondary slab 46, although a singular supply container may
be used. The roof structure 36 caps the storage containers 24.
[0055] FIG. 15 illustrates the storage containers 24 placed in
abutting and stacked positions on the primary slab 44 to form the
wall of the factory. The stairs 52 provide access to the upper
storage containers via the door openings 56 which may be enclosed
by the storage unit door 58. The overhead door 68 and track 64 are
fastened to the wall of the storage containers and the roof
structure 36 caps the top of the storage container with individual
inflatable cells 31 defining the roof membrane in this
embodiment.
[0056] The transportation of the modular sections for on site
assembly of the novel factory is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The
shipping containers 22 are transported to the construction site
using truck 82. The supply containers 22 are unloaded onto the
carriage 42 using a pair of automotive lifts 84. The storage
containers 24 are assembled by placing them on the primary slab 44
as described in connection with FIG. 1. Once the supply containers
are placed on the carriage 42 they can be transported to any
location by using a proper combination of the turntables 78. In
order to remove the supply containers 22, the foregoing operation
is reversed. The raised loading pad 88 allows the truck 82 to ride
over the tracks 26,27.
[0057] Specifically, FIG. 16 illustrates the loading/unloading of
supply containers 22. The placement sequence is partially shown in
FIG. 17. Not shown is the unloading of product from carriage 42 and
loading onto truck utilizing automotive lifts 84. The supply
containers arrive at site by truck and are removed from trailer and
placed onto carriage 42 (not shown) using a pair of automotive
lifts 84, in this embodiment. Once a supply container is placed on
carriage 42 (not shown), it can be transported to the desired
location by using a combination of turntables 78 and the proper
track segments. To remove empty supply containers 22, the foregoing
operation is reversed. Product, such as modular house modules,
follow the same sequence using the assembly line track 26. The
raised loading pad 88 with ramp 90 allows truck 82 to properly ride
over track 26.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 18, main storage units 24 are raised
on half height containers 25 forming a conventional truck dock
configuration for delivery of supplies. Tractor trailers (or
trucks) back-up to the main storage units 24 which are at standard
dock height, and the supply containers 22 remain on the trailer
chassis.
* * * * *