US3612315A

US3612315A - Cargo containerization apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: US3612315A
Application number: US855225A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace D Blackburn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-09-04
Filing date: 1969-09-04
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

Cargo containerization apparatus and system of a type wherein one or more selectively movable containers for cargo and the like are adapted for individual or collective transportation from and to material or cargo loading and discharge points. The individual units are adapted for transportation on truck chassis, trains, or the like, and are readily placeable on or removed from the conveyance for temporary storage following long-distance hauling and the like, or pickup or local handling. The system includes operating and control means for raising and lowering the individual container units, or a plurality thereof, and is particularly suited and adapted for so raising and lowering an individual unit with respect to an adjoining unit in a line or in areas of restricted clearance to prevent damage to the container during the lifting or placement operation.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Horace D. Blackburn 333 6th Ave. West, Bradenton, 11121. 33505 [21] Appl. No. 855,225 [22] Filed Sept. 4, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [54] CARGO CONTAIN ERIZATION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 214/515, 254/45 [51] Int. Cl 1360p 1/64 [50] Field of Search 214/515, 38.8; 254/45; 187/859 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,831,588 4/1958 Seed 214/38 3,204,796 9/1965 Hand.... 214/515 3,425,576 2/1969 Martin 214/515 Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Att0rney-J. Gibson Semmes ABSTRACT: Cargo containerization apparatus and system of a type wherein one or more selectively movable containers for cargo and the like are adapted for individual or collective transportation from and to material or cargo loading and discharge points. The individual units are adapted for transportation on truck chassis, trains, or the like, and are readily placeable on or removed from the conveyance for temporary storage following long-distance hauling and the like, or pickup or local handling. The system includes operating and control means for raising and lowering the individual container units, or a plurality thereof, and is particularly suited and adapted for so raising and lowering an individual unit with respect to an adjoining unit in a line or in areas of restricted clearance to prevent damage to the container during the lifting or placement operation.

PATENTEH mm 1 2 lifaf. $612131 5 SHEET 2 OF d firm/ma CAIIGO CONTAINERI'I'ION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cargo containers of a unitary movable nature are known and extensively used for handling, hauling and/or temporary storage of materials and cargo. When the units are to be moved from one location to another, the units are ordinarily individually mounted or placed upon a truck-tractor or tractor trailer chassis including means for lifting and depositing the container with respect to the chassis and additionally leg means are utilized for supporting the units in a stationary of fixed location for temporary material or cargo storage. Space limitations necessitate close positioning of the units with respect to one another, either on a conveyor chassis or in a location of temporary storage. At times, this close placement results in damage to the individual units and/or accessories thereon during lifting or placement operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal feature of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a system for handling individual cargo or material transporting and storage containers or units for placement on conveying mechanism, removal therefrom and placement in a position for temporary storage and the like. The invention provides a system and lift mechanism incorporating an automatically operated control system whereby one end of a unit is raised or lowered prior to movement of the opposite end in such a manner that clearance is provided between closely positioned containers to prevent damaging contact between the conveyors. The invention also incorporates safety control mechanisms to ensure safe and practical operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other and additional features and objects of the invention will be more readily apparent from a detailed description of an embodiment thereof, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a pictorial view, in perspective, showing a plurality of containers and an operational sequence of a single unit movement related to a truck chassis;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation, in perspective, showing a plurality of units as mounted on a trailer chassis as removed from a location of temporary storage;

FIGS. 3 to 3 inclusive are elevational views showing a sequence of operation in removing a container from the ground and placement on a conveying truck chassis;

FIG. 9 is a view of a control panel for electrical operation of a lifting system;

FIG. III consists of fragmentary elevational views of a sequence switch on a front lift leg for control operation of a rear lift leg;

FIG. II is a view similar to FIG. III of a switch mounting on a rear lift leg for control operation of a front lift unit; and

FIG. I2 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electric lift system of the invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the invention is shown and will be described with reference to transport or conveyance of single and multiple cargo containers, the first being accomplished with a single bed truck chassis and a truck-trailer with a multiple unit trailer chassis, the overall apparatus and use being particularly suitable in connection with cargo containerization systems.

Cargo containers of any known or desired type are indicated at and each consists of a single entity or unit. These units or containers, depending upon their construction, can be used for any type of material for conveyance or storage thereof. In a containerization system as contemplated by the invention and as currently in use, one or a plurality of individual containers or units can be conveyed to a desired location for storage, temporary storage, or available use of material in the container. One method of carrying out implementation of a containerization system principle is shown in FIG. I

LII

wherein two containers 2% have been arranged with respect to one another and supported on container legs 22 which can be of any known type including those of adjustable length, detachable from the container to facilitate container conveyance or fixedly attached to the container and movable into retracted position for transportation and extended position, as shown in the right in FIG. I, for ground placement and support of the container. Conveyance and placement of the containers as shown in FIG. I is accomplished by use of a single unit tractor chassis vehicle 2d which has incorporated thereon a plurality of vertically extendible lift legs generally designated as which will be described in more detail hereinafter, and which in operation are adapted to raise a single container vertically from a ground supported position and after removal of support legs 22 the so-raised container can then be lowered onto the truck chassis for support thereon and conveyance to any desired location. The same apparatus can obviously be used to transfer or convey a loaded container from a loading area to a discharge or storage area whether temporary or substantially permanent. It will be noted that in placement of the containers in contiguous relationship, one with respect to another, the individual containers are closely positioned to facilitate space saving for a ground support assembly and additionally to permit multiple unit conveyance or transportation by means of a trailer tractor assembly generally indicated at 2% in FIG. 2 wherein a plurality of containers 20 are all positioned on and supported by a single trailer chassis 30. Such a trailer chassis is provided with a plurality of vertical lift legs, generally designated 32, adapted for raising or lowering the trailer chassis. When it is desired to load a plurality of the containers on the trailer chassis, the chassis is moved horizontally along the ground into a position under the line or assembly of containers with the chassis in a position sufficiently low to pass under the containers supported on legs 22. The vertical lift legs 32 are then actuated to elevate the trailer chassis to free the support legs from the ground whereupon they can be removed from the container units or moved to an inactive position. The lift legs 32 are then operated to lower the trailer chassis to a normal road operating position and the lift legs are then retracted for ground clearance. The construction and operation of the lift legs 32 for the trailer chassis form no part of the present invention, per se, and their construction will not be described in detail herein. Manifestly, lift legs of this nature are known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. I lift legs 34 are provided on the truck chassis to permit raising or lowering of the individual containers with respect to the truck chassis bed and the support legs for functions similar to the foregoing with respect to the trailer bed. The exact operation for this loading, unloading and container placement and removal will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

One of the principal features of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a system operable when depositing or placing a unit in a containerization system line or removal therefrom and means whereby interference or accidental collision of one unit with respect to an adjoining one is eliminated during the actual operation with respect to movement of an individual container. This operation wilI now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-@ inclusive. A pIurality of containers 20 are shown in FIG. 3 on support legs 22 in a line arrangement such as would be used for temporary material storage. When it is desired to move or transport a unit which has, for example, been emptied and it is desired to move to an area for reloading, the truck with the single unit chassis 245 is backed under an end unit as indicated at arrow 36 so that the chassis bed is positioned under the unit. The vertical legs 34 are then actuated to elevate the container to eliminate ground support by means of the legs 22. Sequentially, this step and lowering of a unit on to the truck chassis bed are more clearly shown in FIGS. d 3. As indicated by arrow 33 the rear lift legs 34 on each side of the container are energized first to elevate the rear of the container with the forward end serving as a pivot. The unit is thus rotated and provides an initial clearance at 40. Normally, running lights and the like are incorporated at or along the upper front and/or rear edges of containers. Due to this rotation of the container unit and the provision of the space 40, interference and/or accidental contact of these regions of the containers is eliminated. The so partially raised container is indicated at 20a in FIG. 4.

Subsequently, the forward lift legs 34, when the rear lift legs have operated to their limit position, normally approximately 4 inches, are then actuated to raise the front end of the unit as indicated by arrow 40 to a top end position 20b (FIG. The lift legs 22 are then removed or placed in an inactive position. The front lift legs 34 are then lowered with the front end of the container lowering as indicated by arrow 42 (FIG. 6) with the rear end of the container serving as a pivot to provide a lowering space 44 between container edges and to lower the front end of the container after this initial lowering together with the remainder of the unit upon lowering actuation of the rearward lift legs 34 until contact support of the front end of the unit is made with the truck bed as indicated at 20c in FIG. 7. Upon contact of the front end with the bed, the rear lift legs 34 continue to lower the rear of the container as indicated by arrow 46 to a final seated position 20d (FIG. 8) on the truck bed for subsequent removal of the unit on the truck as indicated by arrow 48 for conveyance or transfer of the unit to a subsequent location as may be desired.

When placing an individual container in a containerization system line, the truck having the container thereon is first moved into the proper location and the front and rear lift legs are actuated to raise and lower the unit in an opposite sequence with the rear of the container being initially raised from the truck chassis bed and the entire unit then elevated into a horizontal position permitting placement of the support legs in active position on the container, front of container unit then being lowered prior to a joint lowering by the legs and a subsequent horizontal seated end position on the support legs. The lift legs are then continued lowered to free contact with the container unit and the truck removed. The sequence of movements again eliminates the possibility of damaging contact between adjacent units in the line.

Operation of the vertical lift legs is accomplished by means of the electrical system as will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-12 inclusive. Referring specifically to FIG. 12, which shown a wiring diagram for a powerpack unit used for the electric lift system, one being supplied for each side of a truck chassis as shown in FIG. 1. The two powerpack units are identical and only one will be described herein. The circuit is connected to truck battery 50 and the circuit includes truck ignition switch 52 in series with bar lock switches, a switch 56 which is normally open and actuated or closed by engine oil pressure, this serving to prevent operation with the engine stopped. A warning light 58 is arranged in the circuit which is energized when either of the bar lock switches at 54 is closed for reasons hereinafter to be set forth. A normally open protective relay and switch 60 is used in the circuit to prevent unauthorized operation in the absence of energizing of the ignition switch. The powerpack unit per se is enclosed within the broken line block indicated at 62. This includes a motor indicated at 64 which can be, for example, a l2-volt DC reversing motor having field 66 and armature 68 operatively connected in the circuit. A plurality of powerpack unit relays generally designated 70 are incorporated in motor control relay assembly indicated by broken lines at 72. The individual motor control relays are shown at A, B, C and D. Front and rear limit switches 74 and 76 respectively in the circuit are positively coupled to the vertical lift legs by means of drive gearing and are adjustable as will be explained with reference to FIGS. and 11. Operating or control switch 78 is operable into up and down actuating positions designated 80a and 80b respectively for control of movement of the lifting legs. The circuit further includes a sequence switch generally designated 82 actuatable by vertical lift leg movement, see FIGS. 10 and II, an auxiliary switch interposed between the sequence switch and operating switch, as shown at 84 which is normally open. The auxiliary switch operates upon manual depression to provide an alternate path to ground if the sequence switch is in the open position to actuate the lift legs as desired. The wiring diagram shows all of the switches in the circuit shown in proper position for operating in one direction. It will be noted hereinafter that the sequence switch for control of a powerpack as shown is mounted on the lift leg driven by the other or opposed powerpack unit.

FIG. 9 shows a possible control panel including front operating control switch f and rear switch 80r each having the up and down contacts 80a and 80b respectively. The auxiliary switch includes front and rear auxiliary switches 84a and 84b respectively.

The sequence switch generally designated 82 in FIG. 12 actually consists in switches actuatable by movement of front and rear lift legs. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a lift leg 34a for the front includes a stationary leg 86 and a movable leg 88 with a collar 90 or the like mounting a switch 82a having control lever 92 contractable by actuating bar 94 attached to and movable with leg portion 88 in up and down direction indicated by

arrows

96 and 98 respectively. A nose 100 contacts the lever 92. A guide 102 can be provided for actuating bar 94. In FIG. 10 the down lever position is the on" position. The actuating bar holds the switch lever in off position until the leg has moved down a predetermined distance. This sequence switch on the front lift leg controls operation of the rear power pack unit.

The structure shown in FIG. 11 is substantially identical to that shown in FIG. 10, but as mounted on a rear lift leg and the switch controls operation of the front power pack unit. The actuating bar 94a is of a slightly different configuration or of dimensions and acts to hold the switch lever in the off" position until the leg has moved up a predetermined distance. The up" position of lever 92 is on" position. The rear lift leg in FIG. 11 is generally indicated at 34b to differentiate from the leg 34a in FIG. 10.

In operation the system serves as an elevating device upon depressing both up" buttons 80a. The rear lift device will rise approximately 4 inches before the front lifting device moves. This is controlled by sequence switch 82. This assures that when lifting device contacts a container lift pocket, not shown, the container is always tilted forward, as indicated with reference to FIGS. 3-8 inclusive. The leveling off of the container is accomplished in that the front lift device will continue to lift until the front limit switch turns the front motor off.

In order to lower the lift device and container, the two down" buttons 80b are depressed and the rear legs will continue to run after the front legs are down until the rear limit switch turns. Of course, after the rear legs have travelled up or the front legs have travelled down until the sequence switch is actuated, approximately 4 inches, the container can be levelled by depressing the appropriate operating switch singly.

In review, interlocks or bar locks generally designated 104, FIG. 3, are removed and this completes the circuit through the bar lock switches 54. The engine is then started and this completes the circuit through the ignition switch and oil pressure switch, if used, and energizes the protective relay. The relay completes the circuit from the battery to the powerpack unit relays. The operating switch can now be depressed in either the up or down" direction. The operating switch actuates the motor control relays in pairs, either relays B and D, as shown in FIG. 12, or relays A and C for opposite direction, by completing the circuit to the ground. This ordinarily will be accomplished through the sequence switch, however, if operation is desired while the sequence switch is in the open" position, the auxiliary switch can be manually depressed to provide an alternate path to ground. The limit switches being positively coupled to the leg drive gearing and being adjustable control the cutoff point at each end of leg travel by breaking the circuit between the operating switch and the motor control relays.

The oil-operated switch 86 is not necessary, but if incor porated the engine must be running. It assures that the engine will be running and therefore the alternator will be charging when the powerpack unit is operated, thereby reducing drain on the storage batteries. It is also to be noted that locks 11M must be removed. While the lift can be operated with only one bar lock removed, this must not be done as it will result in damage to the equipment and this possibility is eliminated by incorporation of the bar lock warning light 58 as above described.

The apparatus, system and operation thereof in a manner to permit close assembly of a plurality of containers while preventing damage thereof will be readily apparent from the foregoing. A further description is not considered necessary herein.

Manifestly, minor changes and differences can be incorporated in the invention as shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A container lift system comprising:

A. spaced lift means comprising extendible and retractable front and rear leg sets engageable respectively with front and rear underside ends of the container;

B. means for separately actuating said lift means to elevate or to lower the container; and

C. Control means to delay operation of said lift means until the other of said lift means has moved one container end through a predetermined distance prior to moving the opposite container end, said control means being operable to initially extend the rear leg set during container elevation and conversely to initially retract the front leg during container lowering, whereby the container is tilted forward during elevating and lowering, said control means further including sequence switches mounted on each said leg set and actuatable subsequent to predetermined movement of one said leg set in a predetermined direction to actuate movement of the other said leg set in the same predetermined direction.

2. A container lift system as claimed in claim 1, including auxiliary control means for actuating either said leg set independent of operation of either of said sequence switches.

3. A container lift system as claimed in claim 2, including leg set movement limit switches establishing predetermined movement limits for extension and retraction of each said leg set.

A. A container lift system as claimed in claim 3, including container support legs selectively movable to operative and inoperative positions for selective support of a container.

5. A container lift system as claimed in claim 3, said system including a vehicle and a chassis, said lift means being mounted on said chassis, said vehicle and chassis being adapted for container transportation, said actuating means comprising an electrical lift operating system, said control means being operatively incorporated in said electrical operating system.

6. A container lift system as claimed in claim 5, an electrical operating circuit for said vehicle, said electrical lift operating system being connected with said electrical operating circuit, a normally open protective relay in said operating system, a vehicle ignition switch in said operating circuit, said relay and said switch being connected in series and operable to prevent unauthorized operation of said lift system.

7. A container lift system as claimed in claim 6, said chassis and said container having coacting lock means to secure the container on the chassis, switches operatively associated with said lock means and connected in said operating circuit, said switches being open with said lock means closed whereby operating circuit is deenergized.

d. A container lift system as claimed in claim 7, a warning device in said operating circuit normally deenergized with said lock means closed and operated upon opening of a lock means.

9. A container lift system as claimed in claim 8, a normally open vehicle engine oil pressure actuatable switch in said operating circuit to maintain a deenergized circuit in the absence of engine o ration.

110. A container li t system as claimed in claim 1, said system including a plurality of containers adapted for placement in closely positioned end-to-end relationship, end ones of said containers being adapted for elevation, transportation or fixed placement, an end said container when. elevated or lowered being initially tilted providing clearance between top portions of an adjacent container to prevent damaging contact therebetween or with accessories attached thereto.

Claims

1. A container lift system comprising: A. spaced lift means comprising extendible and retractable front and rear leg sets engageable respectively with front and rear underside ends of the container; B. means for separately actuating said lift means to elevate or to lower the container; and C. Control means to delay operation of said lift means until the other oF said lift means has moved one container end through a predetermined distance prior to moving the opposite container end, said control means being operable to initially extend the rear leg set during container elevation and conversely to initially retract the front leg during container lowering, whereby the container is tilted forward during elevating and lowering, said control means further including sequence switches mounted on each said leg set and actuatable subsequent to predetermined movement of one said leg set in a predetermined direction to actuate movement of the other said leg set in the same predetermined direction.

4. A container lift system as claimed in claim 3, including container support legs selectively movable to operative and inoperative positions for selective support of a container.

8. A container lift system as claimed in claim 7, a warning device in said operating circuit normally deenergized with said lock means closed and operated upon opening of a lock means.

9. A container lift system as claimed in claim 8, a normally open vehicle engine oil pressure actuatable switch in said operating circuit to maintain a deenergized circuit in the absence of engine operation.

10. A container lift system as claimed in claim 1, said system including a plurality of containers adapted for placement in closely positioned end-to-end relationship, end ones of said containers being adapted for elevation, transportation or fixed placement, an end said container when elevated or lowered being initially tilted providing clearance between top portions of an adjacent container to prevent damaging contact therebetween or with accessories attached thereto.