US3283932A

US3283932A - Apparatus for handling containers

Info

Publication number: US3283932A
Application number: US422146A
Authority: US
Inventors: James W Dempster; Jr Thomas J Huey; Steven C Voorhees
Original assignee: Dempster Brothers Inc
Current assignee: Dempster Systems Inc; Dempster Brothers Inc
Priority date: 1964-12-30
Filing date: 1964-12-30
Publication date: 1966-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-08

Description

Nov. 8, 1966 Filed Dec. 30, 1964 J. W. DEMPSTER ETAL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet l am, 4M, M

ATTORNEYS J. w. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,283,932

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Nov, 8, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1964 ATTORNEYS 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 30, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 M"BZLMMIMMMW ATTORNEXLI Nov. 8, 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER FETAL.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING 'CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 30, 1964 INVENTORS United States Patent Office 3,283fi32 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 3,283,932 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS James W. Dempster, Thomas J. Huey, In, and Steven C. Voorhees, Knoxville, Tenn, assignors to Dempster Brothers, 1116., Knoxville, Tenn., a corporation of Ten- Filed Dec. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 422,146 3 Claims. (01.214-516) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for handling containers and, more particularly, to the transfer of containers between a railway car and a highway vehicle.

Apparatus of the character described which has been proposed and in use heretofore usually has employed relatively high bolsters on the railway car and vehicle for interchangeable transfer of a container therebetween. The transfer apparatus used with such equipment has required space for its operation between the underside of the container and the frame or bed of the car and vehicle in order to operate under the container and to connect therewith at respective successive points.

In some environments, it has been found that the necessary space for the purpose is not available which, therefore, has precluded the use of the type of equipment proposed for the purpose.

One object of this invention is to simplify and improve the apparatus for connection with and transfer of a container between a railway car and a road vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide for connection between the transfer apparatus and the container at successive points transversely of the container above the bottom thereof so as to make unnecessary a cantilever motion underneath the container in order to connect the apparatus therewith for effecting the transfer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the operation of the cantilever means substantially in a horizontal direction relative to the container and to connect therewith at the ends of the container, above the bottom surface, thereby to allow for a lowering of the container relative to the railway car or vehicle with a resulting more stable mounting of the container by reason of such lowered relation.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing on a container points of connection spaced apart at intervals along the width of the container adjacent to, but above, the bottom surface of the container. Cantilever means are provided on the vehicle or on the railway car and operating transversely thereof for effecting the necessary transfer of a container interchangeably therebetween..

The transfer means includes one or more hook devices, preferably arranged adjacent each opposite end .of the container in position for connection with the hook surfaces on the container to effect the desired action in the transfer operation. This action involves movement of the transfer devices, including the cantilever means first into hook engagement with the container at one end of the hook means thereon and then back to move the container one step, after which the cantilever means is moved forward again and into engagement with another hook means on the container spaced from the first-mentioned hook means, and then back to move the container a second step. This is continued until the container has been shifted from one vehicle to the other or off the vehicle, as the case may be.

This embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a highway vehicle, showing a container thereon with transfer means provided on the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the carriage assemblies;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a detail cross section, with parts in elevation, taken on the line 5-5 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a container and cantilever device connected therewith.

The invention is shown as applied to a motor vehicle, such as a roadway truck, including a chassis frame 1 supported by highway wheels 2. The vehicle is usually self-propelled under control of an operator within a cab 3.

Mounted on the chassis frame 1 at longitudinally spaced points thereon are transversely extending bolsters 4 extending from side to side of the vehicle, but preferably these bolsters do not extend beyond the lateral confines of the widest portion of the vehicle including the cab 3 and the fenders provided over the wheels. Each of the bolsters 4 preferably has connected with opposite ends thereof jack devices, generally indicated at 5, extending vertically in position to contact the ground or floor and to lift or stabilize the vehicle with respect thereto. These jack devices 5 may be hydraulically operated in the usual manner and preferably are braced, as shown at 6 in FIG. 5, for stability.

Each of the bolsters 4 is provided on its upper surface with a seat 7 extending throughout the length of the bolster and having an upright shoulder 8 beside the seat 7 so as to form a guide for a container. The container is illustrated generally at 9 in FIGS. 1 and 6 and may be of a size and shape to accommodate-a large capacity of lading, such for example as the size of a truck body.

The container 9 is provided with corner posts 10, according to the illustrated embodiment, and suitably braced for adequate stability. The under structure of the container is not illustrated, but may be of any suitable or desired form and character.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a hook bar 11 extends along each opposite end of the container 9 above the bottom surface of the container but preferably located at or adjacent the bottom surface to facilitate operation or handling of the container. Each hook bar 11 is shown as channel-shaped with the open side thereof turned outwardly from the container 9 for freedom of access into the hook bar 11 throughout the major portion of the length thereof.

Mounted at intervals along the length of each hook bar 11, preferably throughout the width of the container 9, are hook means or shoulders formed according to this embodiment by pins 12 extending in bridging relation between opposite sides of the channel-shaped hook bar 11 and anchored as by welding to said opposite sides. These hook pins 12 are accessible both through the ends of the channels and also laterally between the flanges thereof at successive points along the width of the container.

A cantilever device is shown at 13, including an arm 14 extending in a generally horizontal direction from an upstanding pivot pin 15'. The free end portion of the arm 14 remote from the pivot 15 is shown in the form of a substantially horizontal plate, with hooks 15 disposed in opposed relation and having a shuttle 16 interposed therebetween pivotally mounted for freedom of swinging movement into covering relation with either of the hooks 15, as will be apparent from 'FIGS. 3 and 6.

The pivotal mounting 15' for the arm 14 is supported by a carriage, generally, indicated at 17, having slide members 18 at opposite sides thereof. The slide members 18 are mounted in guides 19, one of which is provided in the adjacent bolster 4 and the other is provided by a cross rail 20 extending transversely of the vehicle parallel with the adjacent bolster 4 and throughout the length of the latter.

Mounted on the carriage 17 is an upstanding abutment 21 which extends beside the arm 14. interposed between the abutment 21 and the arm 14 is a coiled spring 22 which bears against a flange 23 on the arm 14, normally tending to urge the arm inwardly over the seat 7 of the bolster.

One of the cantilever devices 13 has been described for a carriage 17 and it will be appreciated that a similar cantilever device is provided at each opposite end of the mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and that these operate toward and from each other in opposed relation. Moreover, if it be desired to transfer the container 9 off the vehicle in the opposite direction from which it is drawn onto the vehicle, it will also be appreciated that a similar cantilever device is provided at each opposite end of each carriage 17 and that these are turned in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 2. The structure and operation of each of the cantilever devices with respect to the hook means 12 on the container will be the same as described above.

As a means of moving the carriage across the vehicle from side to side, we have illustrated gearing for operating the same. This gea-ring is shown as comprising a rack bar 24 secured to the under portion of the carriage 17 between the guides 19. Meshing with the rack bar 24 is a gear 25 mounted on a suitable shaft 26 that extends transversely beneath the guides 19 and is mounted at opposite ends in bearings 27.

Also mounted on the shaft 26is a sprocket gear 28 over which a sprocket chain 29' extends to the opposite side of the chassis frame 1. An idler sprocket gear 30 (FIG. 5) normally tends to hold the chain tight and return the chain above and across the chassis frame 1.

At the opposite side of the chassis 1, the chain 29 extends over a gear similar to the sprocket 28 mounted on a drive shaft 31. Operatively connected through a gear reducer 32' with the drive shaft 31 is a hydraulic drive motor 32. It will be noted that the drive shaft 31 extends in both opposite directions from the motor 32, separate shafts being used to drive the assembly at the front and rear ends of the vehicle.

The container 9 extends in bridging relation from its seated position on the respective seats and guides 7-8 at the front and rear end portions of the vehicle, so that its mid portion is unsupported thereby. If the container should be of substantial length, an intermediate center support should be provided therefor, as indicated generally at 33 in FIGS. 1 and 2. This may be in the form of a guideway of proper height and should be supported midway between the carriages 17 at opposite ends of the vehicle. 7

Some of the structure herein described has been dis closed in prior application, Serial No. 255,481, filed February 1, 1963, and reference may be had thereto for an understanding of the operation thereof.

In shifting the container 9 from one vehicle to another it will be apparent that the motor 32 may be operated under control of the operator in the cab 3 to slide the carriages 17 transversely of the vehicle. Initially, with a container in the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, the carriages 17 would be moved forward to engage the cantilever devices 13 with the first set of shoulder means 12 on the ends of the container.

Each of the arms 14 normally is urged inward by the coiled spring 22 to assure the engagement of the hooks 15 with the pins 12. The shuttle 16 will swing forward or backward during manipulation of the carriage to allow the arm to ride over one set of pins and then upon reversing this motion to engage the latter. The shuttle 16 allows movement of the arm 14 from pin to pin and permits engagement of the arm in either a pulling or pushing rela tionship at any pin. Upon reversing the movement of the carriages 17, the container is moved forward toward the one vehicle as, for example, to the full line position of the cantilever devices 13 shown in FIG. 2. Then, upon reversing the carriages 17, these are again moved forward and in like manner engage with the second set of pins 12. Upon again reversing the travel of the carriages 17, these will pull the container 21 second step. This action is continued until the container is moved onto the vehicle.

If it be desired to unload the container from the supporting vehicle in the opposite direction, the carriages can be manipulated in like manner to move the container by the cantilever devices located on the opposite ends of the respective carriages to effect a pushing action first by engagement of one shoulder device and then another until the container has moved step by step off the carrying vehicle.

By locating the cantilever devices 13 so as to operate in a horizontal direction above the lower edge of the container, the height of the container can be kept very close to the frame of the vehicle, not only for better stability of the container in its travelling position but also to eliminate the need for bolsters of substantial height. Thus, the structure is materially simplified and improved and the mechanism can operate efficiently to effect the desired transfer in the manner explained.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of a container having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle for movement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, said container having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides of the container above the bottom-most surface of the container, means forming a plurality of hook stations spaced apart lengthwise of the hook bar and each hook station having a hooking surface means mounted on the vehicle and spaced laterally outside the container for movement transversely relative to the vehicle, a cantilever member mounted on said transversely movable means for substantially horizontal movement toward and from the hook bar, and hook means on the cantilever member for engagement with the hooking surfaces of the respective hook stations to move the container transversely onto and off the vehicle.

2. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of a container having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle for movement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, said container having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides of the container above the bottom-most surface of the container,

3. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of a container having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle for movement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, said container having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides of the container above the bottom-most surface of the container, means forming a plurality of hook stations spaced apart lengthwise of the hook bar and each hook station having a hooking surface, a carriage mounted on the vehicle and spaced latera-l-ly outside the container for movement transversely relative thereto, a cantilever device, means pivotally mounting the cantilever device for horizontal swinging movement toward and from the hook bar in a position above the bottom surface of the container, and hook hook surface of each respective hook station to move the container transversely of the vehicle upon movement of the carriage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

means on the cantilever device in position to engage the 15 MAKAY, Assistant Examiner-

Claims

3. IN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT, THE COMBINATION WITH A VEHICLE, OF A CONTAINER HAVING SURROUNDING SIDES AND MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THERETO ONTO AND OFF THE VEHICLE, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A HOOK BAR CONNECTED THEREWITH ON ONE OF THE SIDES OF THE CONTAINER ABOVE THE BOTTOM-MOST SURFACE OF THE CONTAINER, MEANS FORMING A PLURALITY OF HOOK STATIONS SPACED APART LENGTHWISE OF THE HOOK BAR AND EACH HOOK STATION HAVING A HOOKING SURFACE, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE AND SPACED LATERALLY OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THERETO, A CANTILEVER DEVICE, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE CANTILEVER DEVICE FOR HORIZONTAL SWINGING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND FROM THE HOOK BAR IN A POSITION ABOVE THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE CONTAINER, AND HOOK MEANS ON THE CANTILEVER DEVICE IN POSITION TO ENGAGE THE HOOK SURFACE OF EACH RESPECTIVE HOOK STATION TO MOVE THE CONTAINER TRANSVERSELY OF THE VEHICLE UPON MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE.