Systems and methods for moving containers between vehicles and platforms
AssigneeStackloading Services Ltd.
InventorsJohn Barrington Brewer, Mark Phillip Jordan, Connor Rex Burns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is configured to move a group of containers including at least five containers simultaneously between a vehicle and a platform. The system includes a container support frame configured to support the group of containers, at least one hoist, and a conveyor. The at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame. The conveyor is configured to move the container support frame and the containers between the vehicle and the platform.
Claims32
A system for moving containers between a vehicle and a platform, each container having a top, the system comprising:
- a container support frame including a bottom, a first end, a second end, and at least one structural member extending from the first end to the second end, the container support frame having a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end;
- connector housings mounted along the bottom of the container support frame between the first end and the second end, wherein the container support frame is configured to support a group of containers secured to the container support frame at the connector housings, wherein the container support frame is only secured to the containers along the tops of the containers, wherein the group of containers comprises at least five containers arranged in a row side-by-side along the longitudinal axis of the container support frame and supported directly below the container support frame;
- a hoist configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the at least five containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame;
- and
- a conveyor configured to move the container support frame and the at least five containers between the vehicle and the platform.
A method for moving containers between a vehicle and a platform, each container having a top, the method comprising:
- securing a group of containers to a bottom of a container support frame, wherein the group of containers comprises at least five containers arranged in a row and supported directly below the container support frame, wherein the container support frame is only secured to the containers along the tops of the containers;
- raising the container support frame and the at least five containers above the platform and the vehicle;
- moving the container support frame and the at least five containers between the platform and the vehicle;
- and
- lowering the at least five containers onto the platform or the vehicle.
A system comprising:
- a container support frame including a bottom and configured to engage a group of containers in a row on a platform or a vehicle, wherein the group of containers comprises at least five containers arranged in a row and supported directly below the container support frame, wherein the container support frame includes connector housings that are mounted along the bottom of the container support frame and arranged to secure the containers in the row to the container support frame;
- a hoist configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the at least five containers;
- and
- a conveyor comprising at least two trolleys that support at least a portion of the hoist and are configured to move the container support frame and the at least five containers between the platform and the vehicle.
A system for moving containers between a ship and a platform, the ship including a cargo space having a width sized to receive a group of containers, the group of containers comprising five to twenty five containers arranged in a row to span the width of the cargo space, the system comprising:
- a container support frame configured to secure to and support the group of containers directly below the container support frame;
- and
- a conveyor comprising at least two trolleys coupled to the container support frame and configured to move the group of containers simultaneously between the ship and the platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.