.,1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: SMARTBOX PROPERTY LIMITED Actual Inventors: Jonelle Marie Phillips and Steven Ian Phillips Address for service in A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT Australia: 2601, Australia Invention Tide: Loading And Unloading Apparatus And Method The following statement is a ill description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us. i0666 78,.L.00C FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading and unloading containers from a trailer. The present invention also relates to a goods handing, cartage and storage method, BACKGROUND Currently, goods storage services are conmnonly available and widely known. These services involve the offering of secure warehouse space by the service provider to users. Typically, the user ot person wanting to make use of these services needs to Ltransport the goods to be stored to the warehouse, and then secure them in storage means such as boxes, or locking them in garages at the warehouse facility. This method of offering storage services is inconvenient for the users, in that they may need to hire a suitable vehicle for the transportation of the goods, and in addition rnay be required Lo make a number of trips to be able to transport all of the goods. Further, all of the goods Lo be stored riced to be handled twice in that they are firstly handled onto the trailer, and then secondly handled again to get them off the trailer and into the storage facility. The inconvenience of this process means that many users who would be inclined to put goods in storage may prefer to find storage space in their houses, garage or elsewhere. It is an object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading apparatus. and mrethod which will overcome the abovetnentioned disadvantages and/or difficulties, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a trailer, suitable for bcing towcd behind a road vehicle and for receiving a container, said trailer being suitable for use in Conjunction with a rolling rack including a rack roller-track arrangement supported in an elevated position above the a surface on which the roiling rack is standing, said Lailet comprising " a trailer frame; - a housing adapted to at least partially enclose a storage container, and supported by said trailer frame; " a storage container dimensioned and configured to be snugly received within the housing; -at least one trailer roller-track arrangement supported by said trailer frame, on wllich the container is supportable; said trailer roler-track ar-rngernem t including a plurality of aligned rollers to alow the container to be rolled into and /or out of dIe housing. Preferably, the rofler-track arrangement may extend from at least one edge of the trailer frame, Preferably, the trailer may include a winching mechanism for pulling the container over the rollers. Preferbly, the winching mechanism may be located towards the front of the t-cailer to allow a container to be rolled onto the trailer roller-track arrangement at the rear of the rraiuer. Preferably, the housing may be water resistant to proiNdc protection from rain. Preferably, the housing may provide a snug fit over the container, to amongst other things preferably prevent it from being dislodged from the roller-track arrangement once loaded. Preferably, the housing mray include a loading door. Preferably, the loading door may pivot between a closed position in which the container cannot he loaded onto or off the trailer, and an access position in which at least part of the loiding door acts as an access ramp to provide convenient loading access to the trailer. Preferably, the loading door may consist of an upper loading door and a lower loading door, whereby the upper loading door is notable between a closed position in which the container cannot be la ded (into or off the trailer, and an access position i which the upper loading door pivots upward to provide an overhang for shelter against the weather and the lower loading door may pivot between a closed position in which the container cannot be loaded onto or off the traile, and an access position i which at least part of the loading door acts as an access ramp to provide convenient leading access to the trailer. Preferably, the loading door may include access tollers at and preferably extending from its non-pivoting end to allow for movement of the trailer when the loading door is in the open position. Preferably, the housing may include an inspection hatch. Preferably, the trailer may include stabiising feet for stabilising the trailer. Preferably, the stabiising feet may be telescopic.
4 Preferably, the trailer may include a guide rail adapted and configured to guide the container along the rollers dunng loading and/or stabilize dhe container during transportaton. The guide rail may have an overhanging lip suitable for engagement with complementary engagement formations on rhe containc-. Preferably, the trailer may include securing means to secure a container to the trailer roller-track arrangement. Preferably, the securing means may be a locking pin arrangement including a spigot and socket formation. In a second aspect the present invention broadly consists in a rolling rack, suitable for unloading said container from a eriler as described above , said rolling rack Comnpmging " a rack frame suitable fo- location on the ground; " at least onc rack roller-track arrangement supported in an elevated posiLion above the ground by said rack fi-anme, said rack roller-track arrangement comprising a plurality of aligned rollers configured and dimensioned to allow a container to be rolled onto and/or off the rack roller track arrangement from or to the tailer roller-track iirrangerment as described. Preferably, the rack roller-track arrangement may extend from at least one edge of rhe rack frame to allow the container to be roled onto and/or off the rolling rack. Preferably, the rolling rack may include alignment formations for aligning the rack roller-track arrangement with complementary trailer roller-track arrangements on the trailer. Preferably, the rolling rack may include a winching mechanism for winching a container onto the rack over the zoler-track arrangement. Preferably, the winching nechanismi May be located towards the rear of the rolling rack to allow the container to be rolled onto the rack roiler-track arrangement at the front of the roiling rack. Preferably, the rolling rack may include lifting formation to allow the rolling rack to he lifted by a forklift. Preferably, the rolling rack may include lifting formation to allow a container to be lifted by a forklift from the roller rack. In a fourth aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist of a system for handling a container comprising 5 m a trailer as defined above; - a rolling rack as defined above; - wherein thc rollers of dhe rack roller-Track arrangement and the rollers of the trailer roller-track arrangement ate configured and dimensioned to allow for the convenient movement ot a container between the rack roller-track arrangement and the trailer roller-track arrangement. In a fifth aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of loading a container onto a trailer> comprising the steps of - providing a trailer as described above; - providing a tolling rack as described above with a container loaded onto it so that it is movable over the rack roller track arrangement; aligning the rack roller-ti-ack arrangement with the trailer roller track arrangement; and rolling the container from the rack roller track arrangement onto the trailer roller-track arrangement. Preferably, the method of loading a trailer may include the steps of " coupling the container to the winching means on the trailer; and -winching the container from the rack roller-track arrangement onto the Lrailer roller track arrangement. In a sixth aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of unloading a container from a trailer, comprising the steps of " providing a trailer as described above with a container loaded onto it so that it is movable over the trailer roller-tack arrangement; - providing a rolling rack as described above; " aligning the rack roller track arrangement with the trailer roller-track arrangement; and " rolling Lhe container from Lhc trailer roller-track arrangement onto the rack roller-track arrangement. Preferably, the method of unloading a trailer may include the steps of " couipling the container to the winching means on the rolling rack; and " winching the container from the trailer roller-track arrangement onto the rack roller-track arrangement. In a seventh aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of providing a goods storage service, comprising the steps of 6 m delivering a trailer as defined to a user's prernises with a container on it; - leaving the loaded trailer at the user's premises in or-der for the user to place goods to be stored inside the container: " Iocving the trailer fromr the user's premises W a container storage area; - providing a rolling rack as defined at the container storage area; unloading the container from the trailer using the rolling rack; and " storing the container at the warehouse. Preferably, the method iay include the step of stacking a plurality of similar containers at the goods storage area for efficient usage of space. Preferably, the method may include the step of allowing the user access to a stored container at the container storage area. Preferably, the method of providing a storage service mar include the Steps of - loading a container onro the trailer using the tolling rack; and Lransporting the Lrailer to the user's premises by means of the trailer. In an eighth aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of storing a container, comprising the steps of " delivering a trailer as described to a user's premises with a container loaded onto it - leaving Lhe loaded trailer at the user's prendses in order for the user to place goods to be stored inside the container: - moving the trailer from the user's premises to a container storage area; - unloading the container from the trailer; and " Storing the container at the container storage area.. Preferably, the method further comprising the steps of " providing a rolling rack as claimed in any of claims 19 to 25 at the container storage area; and " unloading Lhe container from the trailer using the rolling rack. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of stacking a plurality of similar containers at the goods storage area for efficient usage of space. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of allowing the user access Lo a stored container at the container storage area. Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of " loading a container onto the tailer using the roiling rack; and " transporting the trailer to the users premises by means of the trailer.
A trader subsrantiailv as described in this specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A rolling rack substantially as described in this specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A system sibstantally as described in this specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method of loading a container substantially as described in this specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A tne thod of unloading a container substantially as described in dhis specifcation and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method of scoring a cOntainer substantially as described in ins specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings. To those skilled in the art to which the invenLion relates, many changes in construcnon and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claitns The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely ilhistrative md are not intended to be in any sense limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a view through the inspection hatch at the front of the trailer into the housing, showing the trailer roller-track arrangement with a container on it; Figure 2 is a pcrspcctivc view of a roller rack from the tear, showing a container sitting on the rack roller-track arrangement; Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a trailer and roller rack, showing a container being laded ino the rear of the trailer; Figure 4 is a perspective vew showing a view through the inspection hatch at the front of the trailer into the housing, showing the trailer roiLer-track arrangement with a container nl it; Figure 5 is a flow chart setting out a method of providing a goods storage service; ann Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a trailer and roller rack next to each other, and a container located in the trailer housing.
8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIIE INVENTION With reference to rhc abovc drawings, a trailer according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the nuneral 100, and a roiling rack according to a second aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 200. According to the fEas aspect of the invention there is provided a tri-ler 100, suitable for being owed behind a vehicle inot shown) and for receiving a container 500, said trailer 100 comprising a trailer frane 110; a housing 120 adapted to enclose the container 500, and supported by said trailer frame 1 10; and a pair of trailer roller-track arrangements 130 supported by said trader frame 110. The trailer roller-track arrangements 130 extends from the rear edge of the trailer frame 110 and includes a plurality of rollers 140 aligned in a row to allow the container 500 to he rolled into and/or out of the housing 120. It is envisaged that the housing 120 will extend substantially around the whole container 500, to provide protection from rain and the like. It is envisaged that the housing 120 will provide a snug fit over and around the container 500, to prevent it front being dislodged front the trailer roller-track arrangement 130 once loaded. The trailer 100 further includes a winching mechanism 150, for pulling the containct 500 over the tollers 140, at the front of the trailer 100 to allow a container 500 to be roiled onto the trailer roller-track arrangement 130 from the rear of the trailer 100. The winching mechanism 150 is electrically operated in a preferred eirbodimient and is driven by electrical power from the towing vehicle (not shown). An inspection hatch 160 is provided in the front of the housing 120, to allow access to the container 500 through the housing 120. The housing 120 further includes a lower loading door 170 at the rear of the trailer 100 ro allow the container 500 to be loaded onto the trailer 100. The lower loading door 170 pivots between a closed position in vhich the container 500 cannot be loaded onto or off the trailer 100, and an open position (shown in figure 3) in which the lower loading door 170 acts as an access ramp to provide convenient loading access to the trailer 100. The lower loading door 170 is provided with access rollers 175 at the non-pivoting end of the door 170 to allow for movement of the trailer 100 when the upper loadig door 170 is in the open position. The honsing even further includes an upper loading door 171, whereby the upper loading door 1719is movable between a closed position in which the container 500 cannot he loaded onto or off the trailer 100, and an access position in which the upper loading door 171 pivots upward to provide an overhang for shelter against the weather.
9 In a preferred embodiment, the trailer 100 includes a set of telescopic stabilising feet 180 for stabilizing the trailer 100 in a stationary condition 7o allow it to be loaded without tipping over. Further, the trailer 100 is provided with securing means in the form of a spigot pin (not shown) and complementarv socket formation (not shown) to secure a container 500 onto the trailer roller-track arrangement 130 and prevent it from rolling off the trailer 100 when the trailer 100 is in Motion. With reference to the above drawings, a rolling rack according to a second aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the nuneral 200. According to a second aspect of die invention there is provided a rolling tack 200, suitable for unloading a container 500 from a rrailer 100, the trailer 100 having r least one row or container supporting rollers 140. The rolling rack 200 comprises a rack frame 210, and at least one rack roller track arrangement 220 supported by said rnck frame 210- The roller-tack arrangement 220 comprises a pluraliry of rollers 230 extending from at least one edge of the rack frame and aligned in a row to allow a container 500 to he rolled onto and/or off LIe rolling rack 200. The rolling rack 200 further includes alignmient formations 240 for aligning the rack roller-track arrangement 220 with complementary trailer roller7 track arrangements 130 on the trailer 100. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer 100 includes a guide formation in the form of a guide rail 190 adapted and configured to guide the container 500 along the rollers 140 during loading and/or stabilise the container 500 during transportation. The guide rail 190 has an overhanging lip (nor shown) for engagement with complementary engagement formations (not shown) on the container 500. In a preferred embodiment, the rolling rack 200 also includes a winching mechanism 250 for winching a container 300 onto the rack 200 over the rollers 230 of the rack roller track arrangement 220. The winching mechanism 250 is located at the rear of the rolling rack 200 to allow a container 500 to be rohed onto the rollers 230 of the rack roller-track arrangement 220 at the front of the rolling rack 200. It is envisaged that the rolling rack 200 wil need to be moved around, and for this reason, the roiling rack 200 includes lifung formations 260 to allow the roing rack 200 to be ifted by a forklift (not shown). As provided for in a fourth aspect of the ivenion, i is envisaged ihai he i railcr 100 as defined above and the rolling rack 200 as defined above will cooperate as a system; whereby the rollers 230 of the rack roller-track arrangement 220 and the rollers 140 of the trailer roller-track arrangement 130 are at substantially the same height to allow for the 10 convenient movement of a container 300 between the rack roler track arrangement 220 and the trailer roller-track arrangement 130. A method of loading a contner betwcfen a trailer 100 and a rolling rack 200 is also provided as a fifth and sixth aspect of the invention. The method envisages providing a trailer 100 as defined above; as well providing a rolling rack 200 as defined above (with a container loaded onto it so that it is movable over the rack roller track arrangement). The rack roller-track arrangement 220 on the rolling rack 200 is at the same height as the trailer railer-track arrangement 130 on the trailer 100. The rack roller-track arrangements 220 and the trailer roller-track arrangements 1 30 are then aligned with each other by means of the alignment formations 249. At this stage, the container 500 may then he rolled over the rollers 140& 230 betweC the Ltailer 100 and the rack 200. Alternatively, should more mechanical effort be required, the container 500 can be winched between the trailer 100 and the rack 200 by either of the winching mechanisms 150 or 260. This involves coupling the container 500 to the winching means 250 on the rack 200 to winch the container 500 from the trailer 100 to the rack 200 and winching it across, or coupling the container 500 to the winching means on the trailer 150 to winch the container from the tack 200 to the trailer 100. It is envisaged that according to a fifth aspect of the invention, a method of providing a goods storage service may be provided using the apparatus provided. The goods storage service provider (not shown) will deliver a container 500 mounted onto the trailer 100 as defined above. The trailer 100 and container 500 will be left at a user's premises in order for the user to place goods to be stored inside the container at their convenience. During this time, the container will remain in the housing and be protected from any possible rain. In this way, the container may be composed of relatively cheap material such as wood, without having to waterproo[ che containers, which may be costly. Once the user has Finished placing goods inside the container, the trader 100 is moved by the service provider to a container storage area, such as a warehouse (not shown). A roiling rack 200 is provided at the warehouse. The rolling rack 290 and the trailer 1 00 are aligned and the container 500 is offloaded. The container 500 may then be conveniently moved from the rack 200 and stored in sn efficient stacked formation in the warehouse. Tn this way a forklift can approach the container 500 from the side, and not have to unload the container from the rear of the trailer 100 which would require longer forks and a larger size forklift. Accordingly, the size of the forklift required to offload the 11 trailer 100 may be reduced. -Lirther, efficient use is made of the -vatishle space at the warehouse. It iS envisa'd that the user maV be allowed access Lo their Container 500 at the warehouse, when a small amount of goods are required to be retrieved by the user, When the user requires the return of the stored goods, or after a predetermined period, the stacked container 500 is retrieved from the warehouse bv a forklift, and loaded onto the roling rack 200 from the side of the rolling rack 200. The container 500 is loaded onto a trailer 100 using the rolling iack 200, and then transported to the user's premises by means of the trailer 100. It may be seen from the above explanation that only one forklift is required during the entire operation, since rio forklift is used to unload the container 500 at the user's premises. Since lhe forklifts are ploendally expensive pieces of equipment, the requirement of one forklift to sustain the entire goods storage service means low start-up costs for any service provider offering such goods storage services. Further, no irne is wasted by towing vehicles (not shown) and trailers 100 waiting fot an available forklift to unload containers 500 From the trailer 100, xvhich means that there is a greater availability and productivity of trailers 100.