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US 11,827,136 B1Granted
Packing crate device for tractor trailers
OwnerJoe Conwayinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Multiple actuation devices may be coupled to a shipping crate. A first actuation device may be coupled to a first end of the shipping crate and a second actuation device may be coupled to a second end of the shipping crate. The actuation devices include various telescopic columns, by which the shipping crate may be raised and lowered. Some of the columns include a caster for rolling the shipping crate. Other columns include a drive unit for driving the shipping crate. By utilizing the actuation devices, the shipping crate may be loaded and unloaded from a trailer without the need for a forklift.
Claims19
An actuation device comprising:
- a first column and a second column, each of the first column and the second column including an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein each of the first column and the second column are configured to extend and retract by telescoping the inner portion relative to the outer portion;
- a first caster and a second caster, the first caster coupled to an end of the first column, the second caster coupled to an end of the second column;
- a center column positioned between the first column and the second column, the center column pivotably connected to the first column and the second column at a first end of the center column, wherein the center column is configured to extend and retract, wherein the first column and the second column are configured to extend when the center column is extended and remain extended when the center column is retracted, wherein each of the first caster and the second caster are configured to support at least a portion of the center column when the center column is retracted;
- and
- a drive unit pivotably connected to a second end of the center column, the drive unit configured to engage a ground surface when the center column is extended.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a shipping crate including a first end and a second end, the shipping crate including a door between the first end and the second end of the shipping crate, the door configured to open for accessing an interior of the shipping crate;
- a first actuation device coupled to the first end of the shipping crate, the first actuation device configured to lift the first end of the shipping crate;
- and
- a second actuation device coupled to the second end of the shipping crate, the second actuation device configured to lift the second end of the shipping crate, wherein each of the first actuation device and the second actuation device comprise:
- a first column and a second column, each of the first column and the second column including an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein each of the first column and the second column are configured to extend and retract by telescoping the inner portion relative to the outer portion;
- a first caster and a second caster, the first caster coupled to an end of the first column, the second caster coupled to an end of the second column;
- a center column positioned between the first column and the second column, the center column pivotably connected to the first column and the second column at a first end of the center column, wherein the center column is configured to extend and retract, wherein the first column and the second column are configured to extend when the center column is extended and remain extended when the center column is retracted, wherein each of the first caster and the second caster are configured to support at least a portion of the center column when the center column is retracted;
- and
- a drive unit pivotably connected to a second end of the center column, the drive unit configured to engage a ground surface when the center column is extended.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.