CA2856022A1 - Automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers - Google Patents
Automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2856022A1 CA2856022A1 CA2856022A CA2856022A CA2856022A1 CA 2856022 A1 CA2856022 A1 CA 2856022A1 CA 2856022 A CA2856022 A CA 2856022A CA 2856022 A CA2856022 A CA 2856022A CA 2856022 A1 CA2856022 A1 CA 2856022A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fixed platform
- container
- fork
- extendible
- goods
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
- B65G65/02—Loading or unloading machines comprising essentially a conveyor for moving the loads associated with a device for picking-up the loads
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G67/00—Loading or unloading vehicles
- B65G67/02—Loading or unloading land vehicles
- B65G67/04—Loading land vehicles
- B65G67/20—Loading covered vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G69/00—Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
Abstract
An automatic system for loading and unloading containers comprising a fixed platform (4) that is supported on and is parallel to the floor, an extendible fork (5) that may be moved with respect to the fixed platform (4) in the direction of the container (2) or in the opposite direction, sliding means (6) used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform, goods (1) carrying means (7), pneumatic lifting means (8) used to lift the assembly of the carrying means (7) and the goods (1) themselves arranged thereon and the extendible fork (5), and anchoring and alignment means (9) used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to and align it with the container (2) mouth (3). The extendible fork (5) adopts a withdrawn position in which it is located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform (4) occupies the length thereof, and an extended position, in which it has been moved with respect to the fixed platform (4), protruding from the same.
Description
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING
CONTAINERS
Technical field The present invention falls within the field of goods transportation equipment and relates more specifically to an automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers.
Background art A large variety of auxiliary systems and devices for loading and unloading goods from/into a conventional loading container currently exist.
Mechanical forklifts or similar auxiliary lifting devices are one of the most frequently used systems for loading goods into containers. They are used to lift and transport the load usually arranged on pallets or similar inside the container.
In the case of heavy-duty containers, it is necessary to make a trip for each one of the pallets introduced therein, thus making it necessary to make a significant number of trips back and forth in order to finish loading the container. In turn, this requires a lot of time and is very expensive, in terms of both labour and fuel for the machinery used.
Moreover, since this kind of auxiliary lifting and transportation machinery, for example forklifts, is handled by operators, there is always a chance accidents may occur, which may have both a human and a financial impact.
Given the above, the need to design an automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers has been identified, the investment in which, using very simple means, makes it possible to load and/or unload a container in just one operation.
This aim is achieved by means of the invention as defined in claim 1. In the dependent claims, preferred embodiments of the invention are defined.
Summary of the invention The present invention relates to an automatic system for loading and unloading containers, of the variety used to introduce goods into a container, which has a mouth through which goods are to be introduced therein.
The automatic loading and unloading system object of the present invention is unique in that it comprises the following components:
Firstly, it has a fixed platform configured to be supported on the floor, whilst remaining parallel to the same. Secondly, it has an extendible fork, configured to travel in parallel to the fixed platform, either towards the inside of the container or in the opposite direction. Thirdly, it has sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform. Fourthly, it has goods carrying means.
Fifthly, it has pneumatic lifting means used to lift the assembly of goods carrying means, with the goods themselves being arranged thereon, along with the extendible fork.
Finally, it has anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth.
The extendible fork adopts two positions, namely a withdrawn position, in which the extendible fork is located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform occupies the length thereof and an extended position, in which the extendible fork has travelled with respect to the fixed platform, partially protruding from the same and introducing itself into the container via the mouth thereof.
Owing to the configuration described, the goods are deposited on the carrying means of the same, which are loaded on the extendible fork. Once all of the caiTying means and all the goods are located on the extendible fork, the extendible fork travels with respect to the fixed platform and the large part thereof is introduced into the container, before then starting to introduce all the goods into the container in just one operation, which results in subsequent savings, in terms of both auxiliary machinery fuels and labour in terms of the operators handling them. This also prevents said operators from suffering a large number of accidents.
The fixed platform may comprise two parallel elongated portions located on the same horizontal plane, between which there is a longitudinal opening, in such a way that the fixed platform is wider than the container mouth, where the fixed platform has a plurality of legs, which are perpendicular to said elongated portions and arranged, equidistantly, below the longitudinal edges of each one of the two elongated portions, it being possible to adjust the height of the legs.
The extendible fork may comprise two parallel elongated frames located on the same horizontal plane, which are similar in length to the two elongated portions of the fixed platform upon which they are arranged, respectively, in parallel. The elongated frames are separated from and connected to one another by means of a plurality of crossbars, perpendicular to the longitudinal frames, in such a way that the extendible fork is narrower than the container mouth, said crossbars determining an intermediate separation, which coincides in position and length with the longitudinal opening in the fixed platform.
The sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform may comprise the following components:
An motor located on a first transverse edge of the fixed platform, to which the following are attached: a drive pinion; a transmission-free wheel, which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, located on the second transverse edge of the fixed platform; a chain wrapping around the drive pinion and transmission-free wheel, covering the total length of the fixed platform; at least one fixed pushing element attached to one of the links of the chain and configured to move towards the container or in the opposite direction to the same, perpendicularly to the crossbars of the extendible fork; a plurality of vertical-axis rollers located on the outer longitudinal edges of the elongated frames of the extendible fork, which drive said extendible fork in the direction of the container and a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies, said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the extendible fork travels on the plane defined by the same, where each horizontal-axis roller assembly is distributed along the length of each one of the extendible fork frames, forming pairs of horizontal-axis roller assemblies, configured to enable the movement of the extendible fork and the goods. Both the rollers and the structure supporting them form one single assembly supported on the fixed platform.
When the motor rotates in one or the other direction, it therefore moves the chain and consequently, the pushing element linked to the same, which comes into contact with the crossbars of the extendible fork, pushing it and causing it to slide with respect to the fixed platform, owing to the vertical axis and horizontal-axis rollers mentioned above, either travelling in the direction of the container or in the opposite direction, depending on the direction in which the motor rotates.
The goods are lifted using the pneumatic lifting means for lifting the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves arranged thereon, relative to the extendible fork. Said pneumatic lifting means may have a plurality of lifting plates, each one of which is located between the assemblies of horizontal-axis rollers of each pair of the same and a rubber bellows cylinder located below each one of the lifting plates, which is supported on respective second plates, where each bellows cylinder is configured to lift said lifting plates and the extendible fork, relative to the first and second elongated portions of the fixed platform.
Thus, when the lifting means lift the assembly of the goods and extendible fork from the fixed platform, said goods are no longer supported on said fixed platform, therefore giving rise to freedom of movement between the same and as a result, owing to the sliding means, enabling the goods to travel relative to the fixed platform in the direction of the container mouth, thus causing the goods to be introduced into the container.
CONTAINERS
Technical field The present invention falls within the field of goods transportation equipment and relates more specifically to an automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers.
Background art A large variety of auxiliary systems and devices for loading and unloading goods from/into a conventional loading container currently exist.
Mechanical forklifts or similar auxiliary lifting devices are one of the most frequently used systems for loading goods into containers. They are used to lift and transport the load usually arranged on pallets or similar inside the container.
In the case of heavy-duty containers, it is necessary to make a trip for each one of the pallets introduced therein, thus making it necessary to make a significant number of trips back and forth in order to finish loading the container. In turn, this requires a lot of time and is very expensive, in terms of both labour and fuel for the machinery used.
Moreover, since this kind of auxiliary lifting and transportation machinery, for example forklifts, is handled by operators, there is always a chance accidents may occur, which may have both a human and a financial impact.
Given the above, the need to design an automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers has been identified, the investment in which, using very simple means, makes it possible to load and/or unload a container in just one operation.
This aim is achieved by means of the invention as defined in claim 1. In the dependent claims, preferred embodiments of the invention are defined.
Summary of the invention The present invention relates to an automatic system for loading and unloading containers, of the variety used to introduce goods into a container, which has a mouth through which goods are to be introduced therein.
The automatic loading and unloading system object of the present invention is unique in that it comprises the following components:
Firstly, it has a fixed platform configured to be supported on the floor, whilst remaining parallel to the same. Secondly, it has an extendible fork, configured to travel in parallel to the fixed platform, either towards the inside of the container or in the opposite direction. Thirdly, it has sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform. Fourthly, it has goods carrying means.
Fifthly, it has pneumatic lifting means used to lift the assembly of goods carrying means, with the goods themselves being arranged thereon, along with the extendible fork.
Finally, it has anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth.
The extendible fork adopts two positions, namely a withdrawn position, in which the extendible fork is located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform occupies the length thereof and an extended position, in which the extendible fork has travelled with respect to the fixed platform, partially protruding from the same and introducing itself into the container via the mouth thereof.
Owing to the configuration described, the goods are deposited on the carrying means of the same, which are loaded on the extendible fork. Once all of the caiTying means and all the goods are located on the extendible fork, the extendible fork travels with respect to the fixed platform and the large part thereof is introduced into the container, before then starting to introduce all the goods into the container in just one operation, which results in subsequent savings, in terms of both auxiliary machinery fuels and labour in terms of the operators handling them. This also prevents said operators from suffering a large number of accidents.
The fixed platform may comprise two parallel elongated portions located on the same horizontal plane, between which there is a longitudinal opening, in such a way that the fixed platform is wider than the container mouth, where the fixed platform has a plurality of legs, which are perpendicular to said elongated portions and arranged, equidistantly, below the longitudinal edges of each one of the two elongated portions, it being possible to adjust the height of the legs.
The extendible fork may comprise two parallel elongated frames located on the same horizontal plane, which are similar in length to the two elongated portions of the fixed platform upon which they are arranged, respectively, in parallel. The elongated frames are separated from and connected to one another by means of a plurality of crossbars, perpendicular to the longitudinal frames, in such a way that the extendible fork is narrower than the container mouth, said crossbars determining an intermediate separation, which coincides in position and length with the longitudinal opening in the fixed platform.
The sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform may comprise the following components:
An motor located on a first transverse edge of the fixed platform, to which the following are attached: a drive pinion; a transmission-free wheel, which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, located on the second transverse edge of the fixed platform; a chain wrapping around the drive pinion and transmission-free wheel, covering the total length of the fixed platform; at least one fixed pushing element attached to one of the links of the chain and configured to move towards the container or in the opposite direction to the same, perpendicularly to the crossbars of the extendible fork; a plurality of vertical-axis rollers located on the outer longitudinal edges of the elongated frames of the extendible fork, which drive said extendible fork in the direction of the container and a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies, said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the extendible fork travels on the plane defined by the same, where each horizontal-axis roller assembly is distributed along the length of each one of the extendible fork frames, forming pairs of horizontal-axis roller assemblies, configured to enable the movement of the extendible fork and the goods. Both the rollers and the structure supporting them form one single assembly supported on the fixed platform.
When the motor rotates in one or the other direction, it therefore moves the chain and consequently, the pushing element linked to the same, which comes into contact with the crossbars of the extendible fork, pushing it and causing it to slide with respect to the fixed platform, owing to the vertical axis and horizontal-axis rollers mentioned above, either travelling in the direction of the container or in the opposite direction, depending on the direction in which the motor rotates.
The goods are lifted using the pneumatic lifting means for lifting the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves arranged thereon, relative to the extendible fork. Said pneumatic lifting means may have a plurality of lifting plates, each one of which is located between the assemblies of horizontal-axis rollers of each pair of the same and a rubber bellows cylinder located below each one of the lifting plates, which is supported on respective second plates, where each bellows cylinder is configured to lift said lifting plates and the extendible fork, relative to the first and second elongated portions of the fixed platform.
Thus, when the lifting means lift the assembly of the goods and extendible fork from the fixed platform, said goods are no longer supported on said fixed platform, therefore giving rise to freedom of movement between the same and as a result, owing to the sliding means, enabling the goods to travel relative to the fixed platform in the direction of the container mouth, thus causing the goods to be introduced into the container.
The goods carrying means may comprise frames with a horizontal loading surface, upon which the goods are deposited, and a plurality of supports, which rest on the elongated portions of the fixed platform, when the goods are not being moved and which are located at suitable points, in such a way that the longitudinal frames of the extendible fork are located between said supports, in order to raise the frames when the goods travel longitudinally.
Alternatively, the goods carrying means may comprise two longitudinal metal beams that are slightly curved at their ends, in order to facilitate the entry, guidance and exit manoeuvres of the carrying means of the container, and a plurality of support structures located perpendicularly to the longitudinal beams, to which they are joined by means of welding, distributed uniformly along the total length of said longitudinal beams. The support structures may comprise transverse metal joists, to which wooden crossbars are coupled, which have intermediate supports and two metal anchoring plates, each one of them being joined, by means of welding, to each one of the two ends of each transverse joist, said anchoring plates in turn being joined to the crossbars by means of screws.
In both embodiments of the goods carrying means, the same would gradually be deposited thereon, until all the goods have been placed on top of the carrying means, in order to subsequently activate the lifting means and sliding means, in order to introduce the goods into the container.
Finally, the anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth may comprise the following elements.
Firstly, two anchoring elements used to anchor the fixed platform to the container, each one of the same being located outside each one of the longitudinal edges of the fixed platform, protruding from the second transverse edge of the fixed platform closest to the container mouth, said anchoring elements being located outside the walls of the container, at the same height as anchoring pegs arranged on the container. Secondly, a locking pin arranged in each one of the anchoring elements, each one of which is located in such a way that it coincides with respective holes made in the anchoring pegs.
Finally, a tensioning element and nut, configured to align the fixed platform with the container in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork moves.
Therefore, owing to the anchoring and alignment means, on the one hand it is possible to bring the system (platform and fork) closer to the container (to the mouth thereof) and align them, employing to this end the tensioning element and nut of said means, in order to thus successfully locate the container loading surface just after the system loading surface, in order to facilitate the transfer of goods from the system into the container. On the other, following alignment and bringing closer, these means are capable of successfully anchoring the system to the container, owing to the pegs in the same and to the locking pins of said means.
Alternatively, the goods carrying means may comprise two longitudinal metal beams that are slightly curved at their ends, in order to facilitate the entry, guidance and exit manoeuvres of the carrying means of the container, and a plurality of support structures located perpendicularly to the longitudinal beams, to which they are joined by means of welding, distributed uniformly along the total length of said longitudinal beams. The support structures may comprise transverse metal joists, to which wooden crossbars are coupled, which have intermediate supports and two metal anchoring plates, each one of them being joined, by means of welding, to each one of the two ends of each transverse joist, said anchoring plates in turn being joined to the crossbars by means of screws.
In both embodiments of the goods carrying means, the same would gradually be deposited thereon, until all the goods have been placed on top of the carrying means, in order to subsequently activate the lifting means and sliding means, in order to introduce the goods into the container.
Finally, the anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth may comprise the following elements.
Firstly, two anchoring elements used to anchor the fixed platform to the container, each one of the same being located outside each one of the longitudinal edges of the fixed platform, protruding from the second transverse edge of the fixed platform closest to the container mouth, said anchoring elements being located outside the walls of the container, at the same height as anchoring pegs arranged on the container. Secondly, a locking pin arranged in each one of the anchoring elements, each one of which is located in such a way that it coincides with respective holes made in the anchoring pegs.
Finally, a tensioning element and nut, configured to align the fixed platform with the container in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork moves.
Therefore, owing to the anchoring and alignment means, on the one hand it is possible to bring the system (platform and fork) closer to the container (to the mouth thereof) and align them, employing to this end the tensioning element and nut of said means, in order to thus successfully locate the container loading surface just after the system loading surface, in order to facilitate the transfer of goods from the system into the container. On the other, following alignment and bringing closer, these means are capable of successfully anchoring the system to the container, owing to the pegs in the same and to the locking pins of said means.
Additionally, on the transverse edge of the extendible fork, closer to the container mouth, there may be two vertical-axis guide wheels, each one of which is located in such a way that it protrudes from the respective longitudinal edges of the extendible fork frames and which are connected to said frames via arms, thus being located in such a way that they are supported against the internal face of the side walls of the container, acting as support and guide elements for the extendible fork, as it slides with respect to the fixed platform, when said extendible fork is introduced into the container during the loading or unloading process.
Thus, said anchoring and alignment means and the wheels and arms, detailed above, facilitate bringing the extendible fork closer to and above all, moving it towards the inside of the container, thereby facilitating the introduction of the goods into the container.
Bearing in mind all of the components described, pertaining to the container loading and unloading system, object of the present invention, the goods loading process constitutes the following steps:
a). levelling the fixed platform until it is placed at the same level as the container b). anchoring the fixed platform to the container using the anchoring means c). bringing the fixed platform closer to and aligning it with the container by means of the tensioning element and nut of the anchoring means d). placing the goods carrying means and the goods themselves, both being located in such a way that they rest on top of the extendible fork and supporting the carrying means on the fixed platform via the supports thereof e) actuating the pneumatic lifting means in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means, along with the goods and the extendible fork 0. actuating the sliding means for sliding the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform towards the container, in such a way that the extendible fork slides into the container, in its extended position, said extendible fork being introduced into the container, along with the goods being carried thereon, g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means in order to lower the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves, along with the extendible fork, depositing them inside the container h). actuating the sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform away from the container, in such a way that the extendible fork slides towards the fixed platform, in its withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform occupies the length thereof.
The unloading process constitutes the same steps, however these steps would be carried out in a different order.
Bearing in mind the goods loading and/or unloading method detailed above, it is possible to observe how said method is very simple, requiring less staff to handle the goods and less auxiliary machinery to load the same into the container.
Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, object of the present invention, located next to a container.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers in withdrawn position.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers in extended position.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, wherein a first embodiment of the goods carrying means has been included.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the end of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, closer to the container.
Figure 6 is a similar perspective view to that shown in Figure 5, but seen from a different angle.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the anchoring and alignment means of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the lifting means of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the lifting means similar to that shown in Figure 8, wherein the lifting plates of said lifting means have been withdrawn.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the end of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, further away from the container.
Figure 11 is an elevation view of a first embodiment of the goods carrying means, along with the goods themselves.
Thus, said anchoring and alignment means and the wheels and arms, detailed above, facilitate bringing the extendible fork closer to and above all, moving it towards the inside of the container, thereby facilitating the introduction of the goods into the container.
Bearing in mind all of the components described, pertaining to the container loading and unloading system, object of the present invention, the goods loading process constitutes the following steps:
a). levelling the fixed platform until it is placed at the same level as the container b). anchoring the fixed platform to the container using the anchoring means c). bringing the fixed platform closer to and aligning it with the container by means of the tensioning element and nut of the anchoring means d). placing the goods carrying means and the goods themselves, both being located in such a way that they rest on top of the extendible fork and supporting the carrying means on the fixed platform via the supports thereof e) actuating the pneumatic lifting means in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means, along with the goods and the extendible fork 0. actuating the sliding means for sliding the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform towards the container, in such a way that the extendible fork slides into the container, in its extended position, said extendible fork being introduced into the container, along with the goods being carried thereon, g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means in order to lower the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves, along with the extendible fork, depositing them inside the container h). actuating the sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform away from the container, in such a way that the extendible fork slides towards the fixed platform, in its withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform occupies the length thereof.
The unloading process constitutes the same steps, however these steps would be carried out in a different order.
Bearing in mind the goods loading and/or unloading method detailed above, it is possible to observe how said method is very simple, requiring less staff to handle the goods and less auxiliary machinery to load the same into the container.
Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, object of the present invention, located next to a container.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers in withdrawn position.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers in extended position.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, wherein a first embodiment of the goods carrying means has been included.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the end of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, closer to the container.
Figure 6 is a similar perspective view to that shown in Figure 5, but seen from a different angle.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the anchoring and alignment means of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the lifting means of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the lifting means similar to that shown in Figure 8, wherein the lifting plates of said lifting means have been withdrawn.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the end of the automatic system for loading and unloading containers, further away from the container.
Figure 11 is an elevation view of a first embodiment of the goods carrying means, along with the goods themselves.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the goods carrying means.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portion or area of the second embodiment of the goods carrying means shown in Figure 12.
In the figures cited above, a series of references corresponding to the elements indicated below are identified, these not being limiting in any way:
1. goods 2. container 3. container mouth 4. fixed platform 5. extendible fork 6. sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 7. goods carrying means 8. pneumatic lifting means used to lift the extendible fork and the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves arranged thereon 9. anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth 10a. first elongated portion of the fixed platform 10b, second elongated portion of the fixed platform 11. longitudinal opening between the two elongated portions of the fixed platform 12. legs of the fixed platform, the height of which may be adjusted 13a. longitudinal edge of the first elongated portion of the fixed platform 13b. longitudinal edge of the second elongated portion of the fixed platform 14a. first elongated frame of the extendible fork 14b. second elongated frame of the extendible fork 15. crossbars of the extendible fork, which transmit longitudinal strength, in order to enable the movement thereof 16. intermediate separation of the extendible fork 17. motor for the sliding means used to slide the fixed platform with respect to the extendible fork 18a. first transverse edge of the fixed platform 18b. second transverse edge of the fixed platform 19. drive pinion for the sliding means 20. transmission-free wheel of the sliding means 21. chain of the sliding means 22. push element of the sliding means 23. vertical axis guide rollers of the sliding means 24a. outer longitudinal edge of the first frame of the extendible fork 24b. outer longitudinal edge of the second frame of the extendible fork 25. horizontal-axis rollers of the sliding means 26. lifting plates of the lifting means 27. rubber bellows cylinder 28. frames of the goods carrying means 29. loading surface of the frames of the carrying means 30. supports of the frames of the carrying means 31. container anchoring pegs 32. hole in each container anchoring peg 33. anchoring elements used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 34. locking pin for the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 35. tensioning element of the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 36. nut of the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 37. transverse edge of the extendible fork 38. vertical-axis guide wheels of the transverse edges of the extendible fork on the sides of the container 39. connector arms used to connect the vertical axis wheels to the transverse edges of the extendible fork 40. second plates of the pneumatic lifting means 41. longitudinal metal beams of the alternative goods carrying means 42. support structures of the alternative goods carrying means 43. transverse joists of the support structures 44. wooden crossbars coupled to the transverse joists of the support structures 45. intermediate crossbar supports 46. support structure anchoring plates Detailed description of the invention A first aspect of the present invention relates to an automatic system for loading and unloading containers. As can be observed in Figure 1, which represents a perspective view of said system located in the vicinity of a standard container 2 for goods and more specifically, located just after the mouth 3 of said container 2. The system will mainly comprise a fixed platform 4, which will be supported on the floor, in such a way that it is kept parallel to the surface of the same and an extendible fork 5, which will move or slide in parallel with respect to the fixed platform 4, either towards the inside of the container 2 or in the opposite direction.
The fixed platform 4 is composed of two elongated portions 10a and 10b, which are parallel to one another and located on the same horizontal plane, between which there is a longitudinal opening 11. The fixed platform 4 is wider than the mouth 3 of the container 2 and said fixed platform 4 has a plurality of legs 13, perpendicular to said portions 10a and 10b, which will be distributed equidistantly along the length of the longitudinal edges 13a and 13b of each one of the elongated portions 10a and 10b, as can be observed in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it being possible to adjust the height of said legs in order to locate the fixed platform 4 at the same height or level as the inner surface of the container 2, in order to thereby facilitate the introduction of the goods into the container 2.
The extendible fork 5, in turn, comprises two elongated frames 14a and 14b, which are located on the same horizontal plane and are similar in length to two elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform 4, said elongated frames 14a and 14b being located on the elongated portions 10a and 10b, when the extendible fork 5 is in withdrawn or resting position, relative to the fixed platform 4, this position being represented in Figures 1 and 3. Said elongated frames 14a and 14b are in turn connected to one another owing to a plurality of crossbars 15 which are located perpendicularly to the frames, thus meaning that the extendible fork 5 is narrower than the mouth 3 of the container 2 and that said crossbars 15 determine a separation or intermediate hollow 16 that coincides in position and approximately, in length, with the longitudinal opening 11 in the fixed platform 4. The formation of the extendible fork 5 may be observed in Figure 2.
In order to bring about sliding between the extendible fork 5 and the fixed platform 4, there are a number of relative sliding means 6 between these two elements, which will comprise the following elements, represented in Figures 4 and 6.
Firstly, it has a motor 17 on a first transverse edge 18a of the fixed platform 4, to which a drive pinion 19 is linked. On the second transverse edge 18b of the fixed platform 4 closer to the mouth 3 of the container 2, there is a transmission-free wheel 20, which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, the drive pinion 19 and the transmission-free wheel 20 being connected via a chain 21 that wraps around both of the same and covers the entire length of the fixed platform 4. Both the drive pinion 19 and the transmission-free wheel 20 and chain 21 are located in the central part of the fixed platform 4 and 5 more specifically in the longitudinal opening 11 between the two elongated portions 10a and 10b in said fixed platform 4. At least one push element 22 is fixed to one of the links of the chain 21, which will be able to move in the direction of the container 2 or in the opposite direction, depending on the rotation of the motor 17, perpendicularly to the crossbars 15 of the extendible fork 5. The sliding means 6 are firstly completed by a 10 plurality of vertical-axis rollers 23 located on the outer longitudinal edges 24a and 24b of the elongated frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5, which are responsible for driving said fork 5 towards the container 2 and secondly, a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies 25, said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the fork 5 is moving. The horizontal-axis rollers 25 will be distributed along the length of each one of the frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5 and will be grouped in such a way that they form pairs of roller assemblies that make it possible to slide the extendible fork 5 and the goods 1, the rollers 25, as well as the structure supporting them, forming one single assembly, which is supported on the fixed platform 4. The specific configuration and arrangement of the vertical-axis rollers 23 and horizontal-axis rollers 25 may be clearly observed in Figure 8.
The goods 1 will be located on the extendible fork 5 with the help of goods 1 carrying means 7, represented in Figures 11, 12 and 13. Specifically, two possible embodiments of said goods 1 carrying means 7 have been designed.
Firstly, as can be seen in Figure 11, the carrying means 7 will comprise frames 28, which have a horizontal loading surface 29, upon which the goods 1 are placed, and a plurality of supports 30, which rest on the elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform 4. Said supports 30 are located at suitable points, in such a way that the longitudinal frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5 are located between said supports 30. This can be observed in Figure 4, wherein just one part of the loading surface 29 of the frames 28 has been represented in order to make things clearer; the goods 1 deposited thereon have not been represented.
In a second embodiment of the goods 1 carrying means 7, represented in Figures 12 and 13, said carrying means 7 have two longitudinal metal beams 41, which are slightly curved at their ends, in order to facilitate the entry and exit manoeuvres of the carrying means 7 from the container 2 and a plurality of support structures 42 located in such a way that they are perpendicular to the longitudinal beams 41, to which they are joined by means of welding, said support structures 42 being distributed uniformly along the entire length of the longitudinal beams 42, being parallel to one another and said structures firstly comprising transverse metal joists 43, upon which wooden crossbars 44 are coupled, which have intermediate supports 45 and secondly, two metal anchoring plates 46, each one of which is joined, by means of welding, to each one of the ends of each transverse joist 43, said anchoring plates 46 thereof being joined to the crossbars 44 via screws.
In order to successfully slide the extendible fork 5 and the goods 1 deposited thereon, it is necessary to equip the system with pneumatic lifting means 8, which make it possible to free the relative sliding movement between the fixed platform 4 and the extendible fork 5 and thereby, between the platform 4 and the goods 1 deposited on the extendible fork 5. The lifting means 8 have been represented in Figures 8 and 9 and comprise a plurality of lifting plates 26, each one of which is located between the horizontal-axis roller 25 assemblies pertaining to each pair of the same and at least one bellows cylinder 27, in this embodiment there being two cylinders, which are made of rubber and located under each one of the lifting plates 26, which are also supported on respective second plates 40, each pair of bellows cylinders 27 being configured to lift the lifting plates 26 and the extendible fork 5 relative to the first and second elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform. Therefore, once the assembly constituting the extendible fork 5 and the carrying means 7 upon which the goods 1 have been deposited have been lifted relative to the fixed platform 4, the sliding movement detailed above may go ahead, thereby enabling the goods 1 to travel towards the container 2 and thus be introduced inside the same via the mouth 3 thereof, in such a way that the extendible fork 5 is gradually slid with respect to the fixed platform 4.
Finally, in order to successfully anchor the system to the container 2 and for both the system and container to be aligned, the system has anchoring and alignment means 9 used to anchor the fixed platform 4 to and align it with the container 2 mouth 3. The anchoring and alignment means 9, represented in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7, comprise anchoring elements 33 for anchoring the fixed platform 4 to the container 2, located outside each one of the longitudinal edges 13a and 13b of the fixed platform 4, which protrude from the second transverse edge 18b of said fixed platform 4, which is closer to the container 2 mouth 3. The anchoring elements 33 are thus located outside the container 2 walls, at the same height as the anchoring pegs 31 arranged on the lower part of said container 2. Furthermore, the anchoring and alignment means 9 have a locking pin 34 located in each one of the anchoring elements 33, in such a way that they coincide with respective holes 32 made in the anchoring pegs 31 of the container 2. In addition, it has a tensioning element 35 and a nut 36, configured to align and bring the fixed platform 4 closer to the container 2, in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork 5 is moving. Simply by rotating the nut 36 relative to the tensioning element 35, the container 2 and system are moved closer together.
In order to align the entrance of the extendible fork 5 with the mouth 3 of the container 2 perfectly, there are two vertical axis wheels 38 on the transverse edge 37 of the extendible fork 5 closer to the container 2, each one of the wheels being attached to each one of the elongated frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork, protruding from the respective longitudinal edges 24a and 24b of the same and being connected to said frames via both arms 39, in such a way that the wheels 38 are supported against the internal face of the side walls of the container 2, acting as support and guide elements for the extendible fork 5 upon introduction thereof into the container 2.
The system will be driven by an electric 1.85 kW motor. The system will measure a total of 2500 mm in width and the bench thereof measures 1600 mm in length. Furthermore, the system will be able to work with loads of up to 30 tons, without having to adapt the container. The system also serves to unload containers loaded using the same system or another similar system using frames that may be lifted using the extendible fork. The system is equally conceived for loading/unloading heavy goods in factory to warehouse shuttles, using lorries.
Bearing in mind all the system components described in detail above, the container loading method that employs said system would comprise the following steps, in the order established below:
a). levelling the fixed platform 4 until it is placed at the same level as the container 2 b). anchoring the fixed platform 4 to the container 2 via the anchoring means c). moving the fixed platform 4 closer to and aligning it with the container 2 by means of the tensioning element 35 and nut 36 of the anchoring means 9 d). placing the goods carrying means 7 and the goods 1 themselves in such a way that both are resting on the extendible fork 5, the carrying means 7 being supported on the fixed platform 4 by means of their supports 30 e). actuating the pneumatic lifting means 8 in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means 7, along with the goods 1 and the extendible fork 5 0. actuating the sliding means 6 used to slide the fork 5 that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 4 towards the container 2, in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the inside of the container 2, in extended position, said extendible fork 5 being introduced into the container 2, along with the goods 1 being carried thereon g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means 8 in order to lower the assembly of goods carrying elements 7, along with the goods themselves 1 and the extendible fork 5, depositing them inside the container 2 h). actuating the sliding means 6 used to slide the fork 5 that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 4 in the opposite direction to the container 2, in such a way that the extendible fork 5 slides towards the fixed platform 4, in withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform 4 occupies the length thereof.
The unloading method would be similar, the only difference being the order of certain stages described immediately above.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portion or area of the second embodiment of the goods carrying means shown in Figure 12.
In the figures cited above, a series of references corresponding to the elements indicated below are identified, these not being limiting in any way:
1. goods 2. container 3. container mouth 4. fixed platform 5. extendible fork 6. sliding means used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 7. goods carrying means 8. pneumatic lifting means used to lift the extendible fork and the assembly of goods carrying means and the goods themselves arranged thereon 9. anchoring and alignment means used to anchor the fixed platform to and align it with the container mouth 10a. first elongated portion of the fixed platform 10b, second elongated portion of the fixed platform 11. longitudinal opening between the two elongated portions of the fixed platform 12. legs of the fixed platform, the height of which may be adjusted 13a. longitudinal edge of the first elongated portion of the fixed platform 13b. longitudinal edge of the second elongated portion of the fixed platform 14a. first elongated frame of the extendible fork 14b. second elongated frame of the extendible fork 15. crossbars of the extendible fork, which transmit longitudinal strength, in order to enable the movement thereof 16. intermediate separation of the extendible fork 17. motor for the sliding means used to slide the fixed platform with respect to the extendible fork 18a. first transverse edge of the fixed platform 18b. second transverse edge of the fixed platform 19. drive pinion for the sliding means 20. transmission-free wheel of the sliding means 21. chain of the sliding means 22. push element of the sliding means 23. vertical axis guide rollers of the sliding means 24a. outer longitudinal edge of the first frame of the extendible fork 24b. outer longitudinal edge of the second frame of the extendible fork 25. horizontal-axis rollers of the sliding means 26. lifting plates of the lifting means 27. rubber bellows cylinder 28. frames of the goods carrying means 29. loading surface of the frames of the carrying means 30. supports of the frames of the carrying means 31. container anchoring pegs 32. hole in each container anchoring peg 33. anchoring elements used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 34. locking pin for the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 35. tensioning element of the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 36. nut of the anchoring means used to anchor the fixed platform to the container 37. transverse edge of the extendible fork 38. vertical-axis guide wheels of the transverse edges of the extendible fork on the sides of the container 39. connector arms used to connect the vertical axis wheels to the transverse edges of the extendible fork 40. second plates of the pneumatic lifting means 41. longitudinal metal beams of the alternative goods carrying means 42. support structures of the alternative goods carrying means 43. transverse joists of the support structures 44. wooden crossbars coupled to the transverse joists of the support structures 45. intermediate crossbar supports 46. support structure anchoring plates Detailed description of the invention A first aspect of the present invention relates to an automatic system for loading and unloading containers. As can be observed in Figure 1, which represents a perspective view of said system located in the vicinity of a standard container 2 for goods and more specifically, located just after the mouth 3 of said container 2. The system will mainly comprise a fixed platform 4, which will be supported on the floor, in such a way that it is kept parallel to the surface of the same and an extendible fork 5, which will move or slide in parallel with respect to the fixed platform 4, either towards the inside of the container 2 or in the opposite direction.
The fixed platform 4 is composed of two elongated portions 10a and 10b, which are parallel to one another and located on the same horizontal plane, between which there is a longitudinal opening 11. The fixed platform 4 is wider than the mouth 3 of the container 2 and said fixed platform 4 has a plurality of legs 13, perpendicular to said portions 10a and 10b, which will be distributed equidistantly along the length of the longitudinal edges 13a and 13b of each one of the elongated portions 10a and 10b, as can be observed in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it being possible to adjust the height of said legs in order to locate the fixed platform 4 at the same height or level as the inner surface of the container 2, in order to thereby facilitate the introduction of the goods into the container 2.
The extendible fork 5, in turn, comprises two elongated frames 14a and 14b, which are located on the same horizontal plane and are similar in length to two elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform 4, said elongated frames 14a and 14b being located on the elongated portions 10a and 10b, when the extendible fork 5 is in withdrawn or resting position, relative to the fixed platform 4, this position being represented in Figures 1 and 3. Said elongated frames 14a and 14b are in turn connected to one another owing to a plurality of crossbars 15 which are located perpendicularly to the frames, thus meaning that the extendible fork 5 is narrower than the mouth 3 of the container 2 and that said crossbars 15 determine a separation or intermediate hollow 16 that coincides in position and approximately, in length, with the longitudinal opening 11 in the fixed platform 4. The formation of the extendible fork 5 may be observed in Figure 2.
In order to bring about sliding between the extendible fork 5 and the fixed platform 4, there are a number of relative sliding means 6 between these two elements, which will comprise the following elements, represented in Figures 4 and 6.
Firstly, it has a motor 17 on a first transverse edge 18a of the fixed platform 4, to which a drive pinion 19 is linked. On the second transverse edge 18b of the fixed platform 4 closer to the mouth 3 of the container 2, there is a transmission-free wheel 20, which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, the drive pinion 19 and the transmission-free wheel 20 being connected via a chain 21 that wraps around both of the same and covers the entire length of the fixed platform 4. Both the drive pinion 19 and the transmission-free wheel 20 and chain 21 are located in the central part of the fixed platform 4 and 5 more specifically in the longitudinal opening 11 between the two elongated portions 10a and 10b in said fixed platform 4. At least one push element 22 is fixed to one of the links of the chain 21, which will be able to move in the direction of the container 2 or in the opposite direction, depending on the rotation of the motor 17, perpendicularly to the crossbars 15 of the extendible fork 5. The sliding means 6 are firstly completed by a 10 plurality of vertical-axis rollers 23 located on the outer longitudinal edges 24a and 24b of the elongated frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5, which are responsible for driving said fork 5 towards the container 2 and secondly, a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies 25, said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the fork 5 is moving. The horizontal-axis rollers 25 will be distributed along the length of each one of the frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5 and will be grouped in such a way that they form pairs of roller assemblies that make it possible to slide the extendible fork 5 and the goods 1, the rollers 25, as well as the structure supporting them, forming one single assembly, which is supported on the fixed platform 4. The specific configuration and arrangement of the vertical-axis rollers 23 and horizontal-axis rollers 25 may be clearly observed in Figure 8.
The goods 1 will be located on the extendible fork 5 with the help of goods 1 carrying means 7, represented in Figures 11, 12 and 13. Specifically, two possible embodiments of said goods 1 carrying means 7 have been designed.
Firstly, as can be seen in Figure 11, the carrying means 7 will comprise frames 28, which have a horizontal loading surface 29, upon which the goods 1 are placed, and a plurality of supports 30, which rest on the elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform 4. Said supports 30 are located at suitable points, in such a way that the longitudinal frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork 5 are located between said supports 30. This can be observed in Figure 4, wherein just one part of the loading surface 29 of the frames 28 has been represented in order to make things clearer; the goods 1 deposited thereon have not been represented.
In a second embodiment of the goods 1 carrying means 7, represented in Figures 12 and 13, said carrying means 7 have two longitudinal metal beams 41, which are slightly curved at their ends, in order to facilitate the entry and exit manoeuvres of the carrying means 7 from the container 2 and a plurality of support structures 42 located in such a way that they are perpendicular to the longitudinal beams 41, to which they are joined by means of welding, said support structures 42 being distributed uniformly along the entire length of the longitudinal beams 42, being parallel to one another and said structures firstly comprising transverse metal joists 43, upon which wooden crossbars 44 are coupled, which have intermediate supports 45 and secondly, two metal anchoring plates 46, each one of which is joined, by means of welding, to each one of the ends of each transverse joist 43, said anchoring plates 46 thereof being joined to the crossbars 44 via screws.
In order to successfully slide the extendible fork 5 and the goods 1 deposited thereon, it is necessary to equip the system with pneumatic lifting means 8, which make it possible to free the relative sliding movement between the fixed platform 4 and the extendible fork 5 and thereby, between the platform 4 and the goods 1 deposited on the extendible fork 5. The lifting means 8 have been represented in Figures 8 and 9 and comprise a plurality of lifting plates 26, each one of which is located between the horizontal-axis roller 25 assemblies pertaining to each pair of the same and at least one bellows cylinder 27, in this embodiment there being two cylinders, which are made of rubber and located under each one of the lifting plates 26, which are also supported on respective second plates 40, each pair of bellows cylinders 27 being configured to lift the lifting plates 26 and the extendible fork 5 relative to the first and second elongated portions 10a and 10b of the fixed platform. Therefore, once the assembly constituting the extendible fork 5 and the carrying means 7 upon which the goods 1 have been deposited have been lifted relative to the fixed platform 4, the sliding movement detailed above may go ahead, thereby enabling the goods 1 to travel towards the container 2 and thus be introduced inside the same via the mouth 3 thereof, in such a way that the extendible fork 5 is gradually slid with respect to the fixed platform 4.
Finally, in order to successfully anchor the system to the container 2 and for both the system and container to be aligned, the system has anchoring and alignment means 9 used to anchor the fixed platform 4 to and align it with the container 2 mouth 3. The anchoring and alignment means 9, represented in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7, comprise anchoring elements 33 for anchoring the fixed platform 4 to the container 2, located outside each one of the longitudinal edges 13a and 13b of the fixed platform 4, which protrude from the second transverse edge 18b of said fixed platform 4, which is closer to the container 2 mouth 3. The anchoring elements 33 are thus located outside the container 2 walls, at the same height as the anchoring pegs 31 arranged on the lower part of said container 2. Furthermore, the anchoring and alignment means 9 have a locking pin 34 located in each one of the anchoring elements 33, in such a way that they coincide with respective holes 32 made in the anchoring pegs 31 of the container 2. In addition, it has a tensioning element 35 and a nut 36, configured to align and bring the fixed platform 4 closer to the container 2, in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork 5 is moving. Simply by rotating the nut 36 relative to the tensioning element 35, the container 2 and system are moved closer together.
In order to align the entrance of the extendible fork 5 with the mouth 3 of the container 2 perfectly, there are two vertical axis wheels 38 on the transverse edge 37 of the extendible fork 5 closer to the container 2, each one of the wheels being attached to each one of the elongated frames 14a and 14b of the extendible fork, protruding from the respective longitudinal edges 24a and 24b of the same and being connected to said frames via both arms 39, in such a way that the wheels 38 are supported against the internal face of the side walls of the container 2, acting as support and guide elements for the extendible fork 5 upon introduction thereof into the container 2.
The system will be driven by an electric 1.85 kW motor. The system will measure a total of 2500 mm in width and the bench thereof measures 1600 mm in length. Furthermore, the system will be able to work with loads of up to 30 tons, without having to adapt the container. The system also serves to unload containers loaded using the same system or another similar system using frames that may be lifted using the extendible fork. The system is equally conceived for loading/unloading heavy goods in factory to warehouse shuttles, using lorries.
Bearing in mind all the system components described in detail above, the container loading method that employs said system would comprise the following steps, in the order established below:
a). levelling the fixed platform 4 until it is placed at the same level as the container 2 b). anchoring the fixed platform 4 to the container 2 via the anchoring means c). moving the fixed platform 4 closer to and aligning it with the container 2 by means of the tensioning element 35 and nut 36 of the anchoring means 9 d). placing the goods carrying means 7 and the goods 1 themselves in such a way that both are resting on the extendible fork 5, the carrying means 7 being supported on the fixed platform 4 by means of their supports 30 e). actuating the pneumatic lifting means 8 in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means 7, along with the goods 1 and the extendible fork 5 0. actuating the sliding means 6 used to slide the fork 5 that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 4 towards the container 2, in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the inside of the container 2, in extended position, said extendible fork 5 being introduced into the container 2, along with the goods 1 being carried thereon g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means 8 in order to lower the assembly of goods carrying elements 7, along with the goods themselves 1 and the extendible fork 5, depositing them inside the container 2 h). actuating the sliding means 6 used to slide the fork 5 that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform 4 in the opposite direction to the container 2, in such a way that the extendible fork 5 slides towards the fixed platform 4, in withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform 4 occupies the length thereof.
The unloading method would be similar, the only difference being the order of certain stages described immediately above.
Claims (10)
1.- An automatic system for loading and unloading containers, of the variety used to introduce goods (1) into a container (2), which has a mouth (3) through which to introduce goods (1) therein, characterised in that it comprises:
- a fixed platform (4) configured to be supported on the floor, remaining parallel to the same, - an extendible fork (5), configured to move in parallel to the fixed platform (4) towards the inside of the container (2) or in the opposite direction, -sliding means (6) used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform, - goods (1) carrying means (7), - pneumatic lifting means (8) used to lift the assembly of the goods carrying means (7), the goods themselves (1) arranged thereon and the extendible fork (5), - anchoring and alignment (9) means used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to and align it with the container (2) mouth (3);
where the extendible fork (5) adopts two positions, namely one withdrawn position, in which the extendible fork (5) is located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform (4) occupies the length thereof and an extended position, in which the extendible fork (5) has been moved with respect to the fixed platform (4), partially protruding from the same and introducing itself into the container (2) via the mouth (3) thereof.
- a fixed platform (4) configured to be supported on the floor, remaining parallel to the same, - an extendible fork (5), configured to move in parallel to the fixed platform (4) towards the inside of the container (2) or in the opposite direction, -sliding means (6) used to slide the fork that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform, - goods (1) carrying means (7), - pneumatic lifting means (8) used to lift the assembly of the goods carrying means (7), the goods themselves (1) arranged thereon and the extendible fork (5), - anchoring and alignment (9) means used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to and align it with the container (2) mouth (3);
where the extendible fork (5) adopts two positions, namely one withdrawn position, in which the extendible fork (5) is located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform (4) occupies the length thereof and an extended position, in which the extendible fork (5) has been moved with respect to the fixed platform (4), partially protruding from the same and introducing itself into the container (2) via the mouth (3) thereof.
2.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixed platform (4) comprises two parallel elongated portions (10a, 10b) located on the same horizontal plane, between which there is a longitudinal opening (11), in such a way that the fixed platform (4) is wider than the container (2) mouth (3) and where the fixed platform (4) has a plurality of legs (13), which are perpendicular to said elongated portions (10a, 10b) and arranged equidistantly below the longitudinal edges (13a, 13b) of each one of the two elongated portions (10a, 10b), it being possible to adjust the height of the legs (12).
3.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the extendible fork (5) comprises two parallel elongated frames (14a, 14b) located on the same horizontal plane, which are similar in length to the two elongated portions (10a, 10b) of the fixed platform (4), upon which they are arranged, respectively, in parallel, where the elongated frames (14a, 14b) are separated from and connected to one another by means of a plurality of crossbars (15) perpendicular to the longitudinal frames (14a, 14b), in such a way that the extendible fork (5) is narrower than the container (2) mouth (3), said crossbars (15) determining an immediate separation (16) that coincides in position and length with the longitudinal opening (11) in the fixed platform (4).
4.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sliding means (6) used to slide the fork (5) that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform (4) comprise:
- a motor (17) located on a first transverse edge (18a) of the fixed platform (4), to which a drive pinion (19) is attached, - a transmission-free wheel (20), which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, located on the second transverse edge (18b) of the fixed platform (4), -a chain (21), which wraps around the drive pinion (19) and the transmission-free wheel (20) covering the entire length of the fixed platform (4), - at least one push element (22), fixed to one of the links of the chain (21) and configured to move towards the container (2) or in the opposite direction to the same, perpendicularly to the crossbars (15) of the extendible fork (5) - a plurality of vertical-axis rollers (23) located on the outer longitudinal edges (24a, 24b) of the elongated frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5), which drive said extendible fork (5) in the direction of the container (2) and - a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies (25), said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the extendible fork (5) moves on the plane defined by the same, where each assembly of horizontal-axis rollers (25) is distributed along the length of each one of the frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5), forming pairs of horizontal-axis roller assemblies (25), configured to enable the extendible fork (5) and the goods (1) to travel, where the rollers (25) as well as the structure supporting them form one single assembly supported on the fixed platform (4).
- a motor (17) located on a first transverse edge (18a) of the fixed platform (4), to which a drive pinion (19) is attached, - a transmission-free wheel (20), which is also toothed and capable of rotating freely, located on the second transverse edge (18b) of the fixed platform (4), -a chain (21), which wraps around the drive pinion (19) and the transmission-free wheel (20) covering the entire length of the fixed platform (4), - at least one push element (22), fixed to one of the links of the chain (21) and configured to move towards the container (2) or in the opposite direction to the same, perpendicularly to the crossbars (15) of the extendible fork (5) - a plurality of vertical-axis rollers (23) located on the outer longitudinal edges (24a, 24b) of the elongated frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5), which drive said extendible fork (5) in the direction of the container (2) and - a plurality of horizontal-axis roller assemblies (25), said axis being perpendicular to the direction in which the extendible fork (5) moves on the plane defined by the same, where each assembly of horizontal-axis rollers (25) is distributed along the length of each one of the frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5), forming pairs of horizontal-axis roller assemblies (25), configured to enable the extendible fork (5) and the goods (1) to travel, where the rollers (25) as well as the structure supporting them form one single assembly supported on the fixed platform (4).
5.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pneumatic lifting means (8) used to lift the assembly of goods carrying means (7) and the goods themselves (1) arranged thereon relative to the extendible fork (5) comprise:
- a plurality of lifting plates (26), each one of which is located between the assemblies of horizontal-axis rollers (25) of each pair of the same - at least one rubber bellows cylinder (27) located below each one of the lifting plates (26), which is supported on respective second plates (40), where each at least one bellows cylinder (27) is configured to lift said lifting plates (26) and the extendible fork (5), relative to the first and second elongated portions (10a, 10b) of the fixed platform (4).
- a plurality of lifting plates (26), each one of which is located between the assemblies of horizontal-axis rollers (25) of each pair of the same - at least one rubber bellows cylinder (27) located below each one of the lifting plates (26), which is supported on respective second plates (40), where each at least one bellows cylinder (27) is configured to lift said lifting plates (26) and the extendible fork (5), relative to the first and second elongated portions (10a, 10b) of the fixed platform (4).
6.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the goods (1) carrying means (7) comprise frames (28), which have a horizontal loading surface (29) upon which the goods (1) are deposited and a plurality of supports (30), which rest on the elongated portions (10a, 10b) of the fixed platform (4), when the goods are not being moved and which are located at suitable points, in such a way that the longitudinal frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5) are located between said supports (30), with the aim of lifting the frames when the goods are moved longitudinally.
7.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the goods (1) carrying means (7) comprise two longitudinal metal beams (41), which are slightly curved at their ends in order to facilitate the entry, guidance and exit manoeuvres of the carrying means (7) of the container (2) and a plurality of support structures (42) located perpendicularly to the longitudinal beams (41), to which they are joined by means of welding and distributed uniformly along the entire length of said longitudinal beams (41), where the support structures (42) comprise transverse metal joists (43), to which wooden crossbars (44) are coupled, which have intermediate supports (45) and two metal anchoring plates (46), each one of which is joined, by means of welding, to each one of the two ends of each transverse joist (43), said anchoring plates (46) in turn being joined to the crossbars (44) by means of screws.
8.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the anchoring and alignment means (9) used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to and align it with the container (2) mouth (3) comprise:
- two anchoring elements (33) used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to the container (2), each one of which is located outside each one of the longitudinal edges (13a, 13b) of the fixed platform (4), protruding from the second transverse edge (18b) of the fixed platform (4) closest to the container (2) mouth (3), said anchoring elements (33) being located outside the walls of the container (2) and at the same height as anchoring pegs (31) arranged on the container (2), - a locking pin (34) arranged on each one of the anchoring elements (33), each one of which is located in such a way that it coincides with respective holes (32) made in the anchoring pegs (31), - a tensioning element (35) and a nut (36) configured to align the fixed platform (4) with the container (2) in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork (5) moves.
- two anchoring elements (33) used to anchor the fixed platform (4) to the container (2), each one of which is located outside each one of the longitudinal edges (13a, 13b) of the fixed platform (4), protruding from the second transverse edge (18b) of the fixed platform (4) closest to the container (2) mouth (3), said anchoring elements (33) being located outside the walls of the container (2) and at the same height as anchoring pegs (31) arranged on the container (2), - a locking pin (34) arranged on each one of the anchoring elements (33), each one of which is located in such a way that it coincides with respective holes (32) made in the anchoring pegs (31), - a tensioning element (35) and a nut (36) configured to align the fixed platform (4) with the container (2) in a direction parallel to that in which the extendible fork (5) moves.
9.- The automatic system for loading and unloading containers according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that on the transverse edge (37) of the extendible fork (5) closest to the container (2) mouth, there are two vertical-axis guide wheels (38), each one of which is located in such a way that it protrudes from the respective longitudinal edges (24a, 24b) of the frames (14a, 14b) of the extendible fork (5), and which are connected to said frames via arms (39), being located in such a way that they are supported against the internal face of the side walls of the container (2), acting as support and guide elements for the extendible fork (5), as it slides with respect to the fixed platform (4), when said extendible fork (5) is introduced inside the container (2) during the loading or unloading process.
10.- A method for loading and unloading containers, using the system in claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:
a). levelling the fixed platform (4) until it is placed at the same level as the container (2) b). anchoring the fixed platform (4) to the container via the anchoring means (9) c). bringing the fixed platform (4) closer to and aligning it with the container (2) by means of the tensioning element (35) and the nut (36) of the anchoring means (9) d). placing the goods carrying means (7) and the goods (1) themselves, both being located in such a way that they rest on the extendible fork (5), with the carrying means (7) supported on the fixed platform (4) via their supports (30) e). actuating pneumatic lifting means (8) in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means (7), along with the goods (1) and the extendible fork (5) f). actuating the sliding means (6) used to slide the fork (5) that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform (4), towards the container (2), in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the inside of the container (2), in extended position, said extendible fork (5) being introduced into the container (2) along with the goods (1) being carried thereon g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means (8) in order to lower the assembly of the goods carrying means (7), along with the goods (1) themselves and the extendible fork (5), depositing the same inside the container (2) h). actuating the sliding means (6) used to slide the fork (5) that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform (4) in the opposite direction to the container (2) in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the fixed platform (4), in withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform (4) occupies the length thereof.
a). levelling the fixed platform (4) until it is placed at the same level as the container (2) b). anchoring the fixed platform (4) to the container via the anchoring means (9) c). bringing the fixed platform (4) closer to and aligning it with the container (2) by means of the tensioning element (35) and the nut (36) of the anchoring means (9) d). placing the goods carrying means (7) and the goods (1) themselves, both being located in such a way that they rest on the extendible fork (5), with the carrying means (7) supported on the fixed platform (4) via their supports (30) e). actuating pneumatic lifting means (8) in order to lift the assembly of goods carrying means (7), along with the goods (1) and the extendible fork (5) f). actuating the sliding means (6) used to slide the fork (5) that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform (4), towards the container (2), in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the inside of the container (2), in extended position, said extendible fork (5) being introduced into the container (2) along with the goods (1) being carried thereon g). actuating the pneumatic lifting means (8) in order to lower the assembly of the goods carrying means (7), along with the goods (1) themselves and the extendible fork (5), depositing the same inside the container (2) h). actuating the sliding means (6) used to slide the fork (5) that is extendible with respect to the fixed platform (4) in the opposite direction to the container (2) in such a way that the extendible fork (5) slides towards the fixed platform (4), in withdrawn position, being located in such a way that the entire length of the fixed platform (4) occupies the length thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES201331025A ES2526492B2 (en) | 2013-07-08 | 2013-07-08 | Automatic system and procedure for loading and unloading containers |
| ES201331025 | 2013-07-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2856022A1 true CA2856022A1 (en) | 2015-01-08 |
Family
ID=52211068
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2856022A Abandoned CA2856022A1 (en) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-07-08 | Automatic system and method for loading and unloading containers |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2856022A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2526492B2 (en) |
| PE (1) | PE20150073A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102016000419A1 (en) | 2016-01-19 | 2017-07-20 | IBS Technics GmbH | wagon |
| CN107188088A (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2017-09-22 | 苗林展 | Combine overweight or overlength object handling method in handler and container |
| US10543875B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2020-01-28 | Équipement Max-Atlas International Inc. | Extendable trailer for freight containers |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3727777A (en) * | 1971-05-07 | 1973-04-17 | D Hanson | Loader for trucks |
| JP2620707B2 (en) * | 1988-08-04 | 1997-06-18 | 武 林 | Lift-spoke type cargo handling equipment |
| US5186596A (en) * | 1991-10-04 | 1993-02-16 | Paul Boucher | Loading and unloading apparatus |
| US6808356B2 (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2004-10-26 | Toyota Steel Center Co., Ltd. | Device for carrying article into and from container, method for introducing and discharging article into and from container, and pallet for carrying article |
| US7588406B2 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2009-09-15 | Fastek, Llc | Loading assembly for transport containers, and related method of use |
-
2013
- 2013-07-08 ES ES201331025A patent/ES2526492B2/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-07-07 PE PE2014001079A patent/PE20150073A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2014-07-08 CA CA2856022A patent/CA2856022A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102016000419A1 (en) | 2016-01-19 | 2017-07-20 | IBS Technics GmbH | wagon |
| DE102016000419B4 (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2020-10-22 | Simply. Logistic Systems GmbH | Loading wagons |
| US10543875B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2020-01-28 | Équipement Max-Atlas International Inc. | Extendable trailer for freight containers |
| US10988189B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2021-04-27 | Équipement Max-Atlas International Inc. | Extendable trailer for freight containers |
| CN107188088A (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2017-09-22 | 苗林展 | Combine overweight or overlength object handling method in handler and container |
| CN107188088B (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2022-11-11 | 苗林展 | Combined loading and unloading device and loading and unloading method for overweight or overlong object in container |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2526492B2 (en) | 2015-11-03 |
| PE20150073A1 (en) | 2015-01-23 |
| ES2526492A1 (en) | 2015-01-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20200831 |