WO2018160194A1

WO2018160194A1 - Extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018160194A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/020685
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael D. Carpenter
Original assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-03-03
Filing date: 2017-03-03
Publication date: 2018-09-07

Abstract

An extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a plurality of support columns (112). The apparatus includes two runway beams (116) supported by the support columns (112), wherein the runway beams (116) can travel longitudinally along the support columns (112). The apparatus includes at least one bridge girder assembly (118) mounted between the two runway beams (116). The apparatus includes at least one hoist trolley (120) mounted on each of the at least one bridge girder assemblies (118). The runway beams (116) can travel along the support columns (112) into a position where the runway beams (116) extend past the support columns (112).

Description

EXTENDIBLE CONVEYOR TRANSPORT AND INSTALLATION APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed, in general, to devices for transport and installation of heavy processing machinery, including extendible conveyor systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Packages can be unloaded from trailers and other containers by use of an extendible convey or system. Such extendible conveyors are large and difficult to transport and install. Improved devices for transport and installation of such heavy processing machinery are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Various disclosed embodiments include extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a plurality of support columns. The apparatus includes two runway beams supported by the support columns. The runway beams can travel longitudinally along the support columns. The apparatus includes at least one bridge girder assembly mounted between the two runway beams. The apparatus includes at least one hoist trolley mounted on each of the two bridge girder assemblies. The runway beams can travel along the support columns into a position where the runway beams extend past the support columns.

[0004] A process performed by an extendible conveyor extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus includes transporting an extendible conveyor on a flatbed trailer on which the extendible conveyor extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus is mounted. The process includes moving the runway beams along the support columns to extend into an install area inside a dock door. The process includes raising the extendible conveyor system. The process includes transporting the extendible conveyor system along the extended runway beams to the install area. The process includes lowering the extendible conveyor system into placement in the install area.

[0005] In various embodiments, the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus is mounted on a flatbed trailer, and the runway beams can travel along the support columns into a position where the runway beams extend past an end of the flatbed trailer. In various embodiments, the hoist trolleys are configured to lift and carry an extendible conveyor. In various embodiments, the bridge girder assemblies can travel along the two runway beams. In various embodiments, wherein the hoist trolleys can travel along bridge girder assemblies. In various embodiments, the runway beams can travel along the support columns into a position where the runway beams extend past an end of a flatbed trailer on which the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus is mounted and further comprising a temporary runway support structure supporting the ends of the runway beams that extend past the end of the flatbed trailer. [0006] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0007] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, whether such a device is implemented in hardware, firmware, software or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which:

[0009] Figures 1-4 illustrate examples of an extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus in accordance with disclosed embodiments;

[0010] Figure 5 depicts a block diagram of a data processing system 500 with which an embodiment can be implemented; and

[0011] Figure 6 illustrates a process in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIGURES 1 through 6, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged device. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0013] Telescopic or extendible conveyor systems (or "extendibles") are in wide use for transporting packages and other items, in particular for unloading trailers and other containers. The extendible includes a conveyor system with an extendible portion that extends into the container so that the container can be efficiently unloaded, and transports the packages along the conveyor, out of the container, and on to further processing and transport systems.

[0014] Longer trailers or other containers require longer extendibles to maintain productivity. With the growth in length, mass has grown as well. The latest extendible products weigh as much as 15,000 lbs. The units are typically installed in existing facilities that are internally "built out," with a forest of conveyors and other equipment that requires that these extendibles are removed and installed through the dock doors at which they are situated. This installation is becoming more difficult and expensive as the extendibles grow in length and weight.

[0015] Typically, extendible installation is done with the extendible carried as a massive cantilevered load on a very large fork lift with fork extensions. The technique is expensive and carries a significant risk of dropping or otherwise damaging the extendible equipment during installation.

[0016] A disclosed extendible installation system offers a means to quickly and efficiently position the extendible at the appropriate position inside the dock door without an expensive fork lift. Disclosed embodiments combine the features of a gantry crane system with a transport flatbed trailer in a novel way with novel features.

[0017] An overhead gantry crane is composed of common components suspended over the load being lifted and moved. At least two parallel runway beams are mounted in the same plane, across which at least one bridge girder is designed to mount. The runway beams are suspended above support columns. The bridge girder is designed to be at a right angle to the runway beams, and has the means to traverse the runway beams from one end to the other. A hoist trolley is mounted to the bridge girder, capable of traversing the bridge girder from the runway beams at each end. A cable is fed from the hoist, which is connected to the load to be lifted and moved, sometimes rigged through block and tackle. The entire area within three axes in which a load can be lifted and moved may be called the gantry zone.

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus 100 in accordance with disclosed embodiments. The novel gantry system 1 10 can be mounted to a trailer 150, such as a flatbed trailer, box trailer, or other vehicle, and can be constructed to height and width limitations to allow the structure to pass through a standard loading dock door.

[0019] The flatbed trailer 150 is equipped with a gantry-style crane 110 structurally integrated or otherwise attached by support columns 112 to the trailer frame. There are dual longitudinal runway beams 116 that run the length of the trailer, each supported by two or more support columns 112. There is at least one, and preferably two, bridge girder assemblies 1 18, each of which support hoist trolleys 120, which can move laterally along the bridge girder assemblies 118. As used in this description, "longitudinally" and similar terms refer to a direction generally along the length of the trailer 150, while "laterally" refers to a direction generally normal to the length of the trailer 150.

[0020] The "gantry zone" generally refers to an area defined by the runway beams 116 and the bridge girder assemblies 118. Disclosed embodiments provide means by which the runway beams 116 may be shifted on the support columns 1 12 to offset the gantry zone. Not shown in this figure are conventional motors, tracks, and gearing by which the runway beams 116 move longitudinally along the support columns 112, carrying the bridge girder assemblies 118, and the conventional motors, tracks, gearing, and other elements by which the hoist trolleys 120 move laterally along the bridge girder assemblies 118 and lift the extendible. Each of these motors and other operable elements can be connected to and controlled by a control system 130 as described herein. In various embodiments, the bridge girder assemblies 1 18 can travel longitudinally along the runway beams 116.

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates an example of extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus 100 in accordance with disclosed embodiments when positioned completely on the trailer. Note, in this figure, that trailer 1 14 is positioned adjacent to a dock door 210 through which the extendible conveyor (extendible) 200 is to be installed. At this point, the gantry zone 220, where extendible 200 is transported, is on the trailer 1 14. Note also that the dual runway beams 116 are disposed toward the front or interior of the trailer.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates an example of extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus 100 in accordance with disclosed embodiments when extended for installation. In this figure, the dual runway beams 116 are shifted to the rear along the support columns 112, as indicated by arrow 302, so that they extend through the dock door 210. Once shifted, a temporary runway support structure 310 can be erected under the shifted, cantilevered runway beams 116. At this point, the gantry zone 220 is still on the trailer 1 14 and the hoist trolleys 120 can lift the extendible 200, as indicated by arrow 304, for installation inside dock door 210. Note that, in this side view, the bridge girder assemblies 118 and hoist trolleys 120 are shown together. Note that, as the dual runway beams 116 are shifted, the bridge girder assemblies 118 can move at a similar speed and distance, in the opposite direction with respect to the movement of the dual runway beams 116, so that the extendible 200 is substantially stationary during that process.

[0023] Temporary runway support structure 310 provides full lifting capacity throughout the offset gantry zone. Two bridge girder assemblies 118 span the runway beams 1 16, each with its own hoist trolley 120. The bridge girder assemblies 1 18 can be moved individually or simultaneously. This allows the hoist trolleys 120 to be positioned to roughly split the load of the extendible 200 being lifted and moved, such that the lifting capacity of each hoist system need not be equal to the total weight of the extendible 200.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates an example of extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus 100 in accordance with disclosed embodiments when extended for installation. The dual bridge girder assemblies 118 are shifted along the shifted runway beam 116 through the dock door 210. This effectively moves the shifted gantry zone 420 to the install position inside the dock door 210. The dual hoist trolleys 120 are preferably positioned at a calculated even distance from the center of mass of the extendible 200 directly above the centerline of the extendible 200. The extendible 200, thus roughly balanced, is lifted by the dual hoist trolleys 120, then shifted into position for mounting by the dual hoist trolleys 120, as indicated by arrow 306.

[0025] The offset of the gantry zone must be shifted to extend the zone from the trailer bed where the extendible is carried, at gantry zone 220, to the position where the extendible will be installed, at offset gantry zone 420. The offset gantry zone 420 allows precise positioning of the extendible in three-dimension space to allow the unit to be properly mounted, as indicated by arrow 308.

[0026] The disclosed an extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus can be similarly used to remove equipment through the dock door.

[0027] Figure 5 depicts a block diagram of a data processing system 500 with which an embodiment can be implemented, for example for implementing control system 130, or one of the other systems or elements described herein, and can be configured to perform processes as described herein. The data processing system depicted includes a processor 502 connected to a level two cache/bridge 504, which is connected in turn to a local system bus 506. Local system bus 506 may be, for example, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) architecture bus. Also connected to local system bus in the depicted example are a main memory 508 and a graphics adapter 510. The graphics adapter 510 may be connected to display 51 1.

[0028] Other peripherals, such as local area network (LAN) / Wide Area Network / Wireless (e.g. WiFi) adapter 512, may also be connected to local system bus 506. Expansion bus interface 514 connects local system bus 506 to input/output (I/O) bus 516. I/O bus 516 is connected to keyboard/mouse adapter 518, disk controller 520, and I/O adapter 522. Disk controller 520 can be connected to a storage 526, which can be any suitable machine usable or machine readable storage medium, including but not limited to nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic tape storage, and user-recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs), and other known optical, electrical, or magnetic storage devices. Storage 526 can store and maintain an identifier database 527 as described herein.

[0029] I/O adapter 522 can be connected to transport equipment 528, which can include any of the elements of Figs. 1-4 or other hardware devices for operating the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus in accordance with the various embodiments described herein.

[0030] Also connected to I/O bus 516 in the example shown is audio adapter 524, to which speakers (not shown) may be connected for playing sounds. Keyboard/mouse adapter 518 provides a connection for a pointing device (not shown), such as a mouse, trackball, trackpointer, etc.

[0031] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in Figure 5 may vary for particular implementations. For example, other peripheral devices, such as an optical disk drive and the like, also may be used in addition or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is provided for the purpose of explanation only and is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present disclosure.

[0032] A data processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an operating system employing a graphical user interface. The operating system permits multiple display windows to be presented in the graphical user interface simultaneously, with each display window providing an interface to a different application or to a different instance of the same application. A cursor in the graphical user interface may be manipulated by a user through the pointing device. The position of the cursor may be changed and/or an event, such as clicking a mouse button, generated to actuate a desired response.

[0033] One of various commercial operating systems, such as a version of Microsoft Windows™, a product of Microsoft Corporation located in Redmond, Wash, may be employed if suitably modified. The operating system is modified or created in accordance with the present disclosure as described. [0034] LAN/ WAN/Wireless adapter 512 can be connected to a network 530 (not a part of data processing system 500), which can be any public or private data processing system network or combination of networks, as known to those of skill in the art, including the Internet. LAN/ WAN/Wireless adapter 512 can also communicate with packages as described herein, and perform other data processing system or server processes described herein. Data processing system 500 can communicate over network 530 with one or more server systems 540, which are also not part of data processing system 500, but can be implemented, for example, as separate data processing systems 500. A server system 540 can be, for example, any of the other systems described herein, and so indicates how systems can intercommunicate over network 530.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of a process in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

[0036] An extendible conveyor system is transported to an install location on an extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (602). The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus can be mounted on a flatbed trailer or within a trailer or other container.

[0037] At the install location, runway beams are moved along the support columns into an install area (604). Typically, this will be through a dock door.

[0038] A temporary support structure can be placed at the end of the extended runway beams to support the extended runway beams (606).

[0039] The apparatus raises the extendible conveyor system (608).

[0040] The apparatus transports the extendible conveyor system along the extended runway beams to the install area (610).

[0041] The apparatus lowers the extendible conveyor system into placement in the install area (612).

[0042] Note that the apparatus can also position the extendible conveyor system as needed in the install area by moving the bridge girder assemblies 118 along the extended runway beams 116, and by moving the hoist trolleys 120 along the bridge girder assemblies 118.

[0043] During the process of Fig. 6, any of the other actions described herein can be performed. [0044] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for simplicity and clarity, the full structure and operation of all systems suitable for use with the present disclosure is not being depicted or described herein. Instead, only so much of the physical systems as is unique to the present disclosure or necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure is depicted and described. The remainder of the construction and operation of the systems disclosed herein may conform to any of the various current implementations and practices known in the art. Further, the various steps described herein can be omitted or performed repeatedly, successively, concurrently, in a different order, or combined in various embodiments.

[0045] It is important to note that while the disclosure includes a description in the context of a fully functional system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least portions of the mechanism of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed in the form of a instructions contained within a machine-usable, computer-usable, or computer-readable medium in any of a variety of forms, and that the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of instruction or signal bearing medium or storage medium utilized to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of machine usable/readable or computer usable/readable mediums include: nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), and user-recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs). In particular, computer readable mediums can include transitory and non-transitory mediums, unless otherwise limited in the claims appended hereto.

[0046] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0047] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke of 35 USC §112(f) unless the exact words "means for" are followed by a participle.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100), comprising:

a plurality of support columns (112);

two runway beams (116) supported by the support columns (112), wherein the runway beams (116) can travel longitudinally along the support columns (112);

at least one bridge girder assembly (118) mounted between the two runway beams (116); and

at least one hoist trolley (120) mounted on each of the at least one bridge girder assemblies (118),

wherein the runway beams (116) can travel along the support columns (112) into a position where the runway beams (116) extend past the support columns (112).

2. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) is mounted on a trailer (150), and the runway beams (116) can travel along the support columns (112) into a position where the runway beams (116) extend past an end of the trailer (150).

3. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the hoist trolleys (120) are configured to lift and carry an extendible conveyor (200).

4. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the each of the at least one bridge girder assemblies (118) can travel along the two runway beams (116).

5. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the hoist trolleys (120) can travel along bridge girder assemblies (118).

6. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the runway beam (116)s can travel along the support columns (112) into a position where the runway beam (116)s extend past an end of a trailer (150) on which the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) is mounted and further comprising a temporary runway support structure (310) supporting the ends of the runway beams (116) that extend past the end of the trailer (150).

7. The extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) of Claim 1, wherein the runway beams (116) can travel along the support columns (112) into a position where the runway beams (116) extend past an end of a trailer (150) on which the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) is mounted and through a dock door, and the extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) is configured to transport an extendible conveyor (200) on the trailer (150), raise the extendible conveyor (200) using the hoist trolleys (120), transport the extendible conveyor (200) along the runway beams (116) past the dock door, and lower the extendible conveyor (200) into an installation position inside the dock door.

8. A process performed by an extendible conveyor extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) according to any of claims 1-7, comprising:

transporting an extendible conveyor (200) on a trailer (150) on which the extendible conveyor extendible conveyor transport and installation apparatus (100) is mounted;

moving the runway beams (116) along the support columns (112) to extend into an install area inside a dock door;

raising the extendible conveyor (200);

transporting the extendible conveyor (200) along the extended runway beams (116) to the install area; and

lowering the extendible conveyor (200) into placement in the install area.