System for cargo transport

A system for cargo transport comprising:

• a plurality of mobile intermodal cargo frames wherein each comprises a structural frame sized to stow a plurality of series 1 freight containers fully loaded to their maximum rated weight, and including a healthy factor of safety, wherein when stacked each said container having a weight is substantially isolated with the frame, and wherein the weight of upper containers is substantially isolated from lower containers and the upper container corner castings do not substantially bear the loads of the lower containers when lifted;
• at least one set of twist lock rack slots comprising the structural frame having at least two twist lock rack slots at an upper portion and a lower portion of said structural frame comprising the slots having a close linear spacing of about 1 to 12 inches between each of said plurality of twist lock rack slots, wherein a balance of weight from the plurality of series 1 freight containers may be lifted in the frame, as opposed to the corner castings of each said container themselves;
• a plurality of rail bogies wherein each comprises a pivot point, wherein arranged in this manner, a pivoting rail bogie is formed, and wherein arranged in this manner, a mobile intermodal cargo frame is formed;
• a plurality of 3-axis hoists, wherein each comprise:
• a hoist that has an integral connection to at least one conveyance shaft in said 3-axis hoist structures and lifts from the periphery thereof, wherein said hoist may traverse from said conveyance shaft to a second conveyance shaft, when viewed in plan view;
• a plurality of corner hoist lift mechanisms wherein each comprises a plurality of roller guides that stabilize vertical movement of said corner hoist lift mechanism in a quadrant of a 3-axis column for conveying cargoes,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a corner hoist lift mechanism is formed,
• wherein said hoist lifts one of said cargo frames from the corners of each said conveyance shaft with a portion of the corner hoist lift mechanisms, such that the cargo frames may exit the shaft at a predetermined level, and
• wherein arranged in this manner, a 3-axis hoist is formed;
• a plurality of 3-axis hoist structures wherein each comprises a plurality of 3-axis columns wherein each comprises a plus shape with transverse ends, where it could be said the column appears to have merged two wide flange columns, leaving four quadrants with open corners, where said column with open corners is used to enable at least one of said 3-axis hoists to operate a corner hoist lift mechanism,
• wherein said quadrants have a plurality of corner guide rails,
• wherein arranged as such, a 3-axis column is formed;
• a plurality of 3-axis beams, wherein each further comprise a structural beam having a pair of ends wherein each forms a portion of a reentrant corner when a 3-axis hoist structure is fully assembled, wherein when connected to a 3-axis column said beam shape does not interfere with a notch occurring at said end, wherein enabling an extended corner hoist lift mechanism to traverse in the z-axis without interference;
• a plurality of mechanized structural sliding wherein each comprises:
• a rack;
• a plurality of roller pins, wherein said pins may roll on a top side of a rolling plate having a plurality of guide rails;
• a mechanized structural roller beam having a top side wherein the rack is mounted to one of said 3-axis beams enabling the rolling pinion of retractable, extendable rolling beams to operate,
• wherein said structural beam has a guide slot corresponding to a guide mounted to the rolling plate, and
• wherein said plurality of roller pins are prevented from rolling off said rolling plate;
• a hydraulic piston that moves said mechanized structural roller beam along a rolling plate,
• wherein said plurality of 3-axis columns are structurally affixed to said plurality of 3-axis beams forming an orthogonal structure sized, shaped, adapted and spaced to enable said cargo frames to traverse in the x, y, and z axes, and wherein arranged in this manner, a 3-axis hoist structure is formed;
• at least one cargo frame cargo ship comprising:
• at least one of said 3-axis hoist structures;
• and
• a plurality of openings that substantially utilize at least one side of a vessel, allowing for internal vessel structural elements, that match an external cargo conveyance platform of other apparatus, such that said internal vessel structural elements and a plurality of structural elements of said platform are in alignment, wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame cargo ship is formed;
• at least one cargo frame dock comprising;
• a cargo conveyance platform;
• a plurality of dock pilings to support said platform having a spacing at predetermined intervals to withstand wind, cargo movements, and vessel docking, wherein support the plurality of dock pilings allows the platform to remain affixed to both the earth below sea, and earth on shore such that the platform may safely convey cargoes as intended;
• a plurality of lobster claw clamping rods formed as cylindrical steel rods, each structurally mounted to one of said plurality of dock pilings for releasably attaching to a vessel equipped with a plurality of mating lobster claws that match the predetermined intervals of said plurality of dock pilings further forming a matching bay between each said plurality of dock pilings,
• wherein said vessel may temporarily dock in a rigid state that enables both loading, and unloading of cargo frames at each said matching bay, and
• wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame dock is formed;
• a plurality of cargo frame barges wherein each comprises:
• a plurality of structural columns protruding from a deck in a regular linear arrangement forming a plurality of bays that match structure on other cargo conveyance platforms;
• and
• at least one structural armature with a pivot point mounted to a structural outrigger that aligns with a matching structure such that a mating relationship is established, wherein arranged in this manner, a pivoting lobster claw armature is formed,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame barge is formed;
• a plurality of rail freight carts wherein each comprises at least one pair of parallel rail bogies reduced in size to have a lower elevation view profile than a standard rail bogie, and separated by a distance that run on a pair of parallel rail tracks similarly spaced, wherein arranged in this manner, a rail freight cart is formed;
• a guide bumper for preventing semi-truck truck tires from falling into a bulk drop opening comprising a structural guide bumper formed on a floor wherein bulk cargo is dropped from, preventing semi-truck tires from driving into a bulk drop opening, wherein arranged in this manner, a guide bumper is formed;
• a plurality of wireless control bollard and signal light wherein each comprises:
• a bollard;
• a control box;
• and
• a signal light,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a wireless control bollard and signal light is formed;
• a plurality of strengthened railroad rails wherein each comprises a railroad rail having a wider base flange than a railroad rail base flange as required to enhance the strength and bearing capacity of said railroad rail, wherein arranged in this manner, a strengthened railroad rail is formed;
• at least one set of two pairs of parallel rails and supporting frame comprising a structural frame supporting said set of two pairs of parallel rails connected to the earth that conforms to terrain and keeps the two pairs of rails as horizontal as safe rail freight movement requires, wherein arranged in this manner, a set of two pairs of parallel rails and supporting frame is formed;
• at least one multi-floor semi-truck queueing tower having a plurality of bays on each said floor wherein semi-trucks may be slotted and stored temporarily and is served by at least one semi-truck elevator that has access to at least two floors, wherein arranged in this manner, a multi-floor semi-truck queueing tower is formed;
• a plurality of semi-truck transshipment yards, wherein each comprises:
• a semi-truck lane;
• at least one pair of rails;
• and
• a floor capable of supporting a plurality of semi-trucks and their cargoes when fully loaded to their maximum rated weight, and including a healthy factor of safety,
• wherein both said semi-truck lane, and said at least one pair of rails are located on, and structurally supported by said floor,
• wherein a plan view orientation of said at least one pair of rails are arranged to be served from at least one of said 3-axis hoist structures at said floor to offload a plurality of series 1 freight containers on a portion of said rail carts from one of said cargo frames having a plurality of bays,
• wherein said at least one pair of rails merge, where more than one pair occurs, to a single second pair of rails that serves said semi-truck lane wherein said plurality of series 1 freight containers on the rail carts may each convey their cargoes to a semi-truck, and vice versa, and wherein at this location a semi-truck bay is formed, and
• wherein arranged in this manner, and when taken in full view, said plan view orientation of said semi-truck lane, said at least one of pair of rails, said semi-truck bay, and said floor form a semi-truck transshipment yard;
• at least one freight car transshipment yard, wherein each comprises:
• at least one set of feeder rails for conveying rail carts and, having no limit to the number of feeder rails in number;
• a first plurality of freight car rail sets which connect to at least one set of access rails from outside a port which convey freight trains and their cargoes, wherein said first plurality of freight car rail sets branch off from said at least one set of access rails enabling freight well cars to queue and align with spreaders that convey freight both from, and to rail carts;
• a second plurality of freight car rail sets branch off from said at least one set of feeder rails and align alongside said first plurality of freight car rail sets so that spreaders may convey both from, and to freight well cars;
• at least one structural frame that provides clearance for freight well cars and rails carts so that cargoes may be safely transferred;
• at least one spreader mounted and spaced to said structural frame such that they may convey cargoes from freight well cars to rail carts, and vice versa in a convenient, efficient manner;
• and
• at least one set of return rails for conveying rail carts, and cargoes, having Ser. No. limit to the number of return rails in number,
• wherein when said at least one set of return rails consolidate said second plurality of freight car rail sets in a length that enables a batch of rail carts to fully queue without disturbing, or preventing a following batch of rail carts to approach respective said at least one spreader, when said at least one set of feeder rails, said first plurality of freight car rail sets, said second plurality of freight car rail sets, said at least one structural frame that, said at least one spreader, said at least one set of return rails are fully assembled a freight car transshipment yard is formed;
• a plurality of cargo frame turntables, wherein each comprises a pair of parallel bridges each supporting a pair of rails with structural bracing between the bridges, wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame turntable is formed;
• a plurality of bulk siloes wherein each are respectively in combination with one of said 3-axis hoist structures and one of said 3-axis hoists;
• and
• at least one computer that communicates with at least a portion of the above listed apparatus,
• wherein arranged as such, a system for cargo transport is formed.

A system for cargo transport comprising:

• a plurality of mobile intermodal cargo frames wherein each comprises a structural frame sized to stow a plurality of series 1 freight containers fully loaded to their maximum rated weight, and including a healthy factor of safety, such that when stacked each said container having a weight is substantially isolated with the frame, wherein the weight of upper containers is substantially isolated from lower containers and the upper container corner castings do not substantially bear the loads of the lower containers when lifted;
• means for lifting a portion of weight from the plurality of series 1 freight containers in the frame, as opposed to the corner castings themselves;
• means for conveyance attached to said structural frame such that x axis and y axis movements are made possible,
• wherein in this arrangement, a mobile intermodal cargo frame is formed;
• a plurality of 3-axis hoists, wherein each comprise:
• at least one 3-axis hoist mounted to a 3-axis hoist structure and is sized, shaped and adapted to suitably hoist said cargo frames;
• means for transmitting rotational motion to a corresponding corner hoist lift mechanism at the periphery of a hoist shaft,
• wherein when said means for transmitting rotational motion rotates left and right said corner hoist lift mechanism correspondingly moves up or down, or vice versa, said means is integrally connected to said hoist shaft;
• a plurality of corner hoist lift mechanisms, wherein each comprises:
• a structural chassis;
• means for securing hoist cables to said structural chassis so they do not slip or become disconnected;
• means for stabilizing vertical movement of said structural chassis in a quadrant of a 3-axis column for conveying cargoes;
• means for securing a corner hoist lift mechanism to a freight conveyance device that may be used for both lifting and lowering;
• and
• a control box having a plurality of sets of instructions, a plurality of retrievable stored locations,
• wherein in this manner, a corner hoist lift mechanism is formed, arranged in this manner, a 3-axis hoist is formed;
• a plurality of 3-axis hoist structures sized and adapted to suitably convey cargo frames wherein each comprises:
• a plurality of 3-axis columns having a means for z-axis movements of a freight conveyance device;
• a plurality of 3-axis beams having a means for both x-axis, and y-axis movements of a freight conveyance device;
• a plurality of retractable, extendable mechanized roller beams mounted to said plurality of 3-axis beams;
• means for supporting said plurality of retractable, extendable mechanized roller beams,
• wherein said plurality of 3-axis columns are structurally affixed to said plurality of 3-axis beams forming an orthogonal structure sized, shaped, spaced and adapted and to enable freight conveyance devices to traverse in the x, y, and z axes;
• at least one of said 3-axis hoists,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a 3-axis hoist structure is formed;
• at least one cargo frame cargo ship comprising:
• a cargo ship;
• means for releasable attachment structure arranged along, and substantially covering at least one side of said cargo ship that match releasable attaching structures of other vessels, wherein said cargo ship and a second vessel are locked together, as opposed being tied together;
• a plurality of openings that substantially cover at least one side of said cargo ship, allowing for internal structural elements of said cargo ship, that each match a cargo conveyance platform of said second vessel;
• and
• at least one of said 3-axis hoist structures sized and adapted to suitably convey cargo frames and mounted in said cargo ship,
• wherein arranged as such, a cargo frame cargo ship is formed;
• at least one cargo frame dock wherein each comprises:
• means for structural support of cargo conveyance having a spacing at predetermined intervals to withstand wind, cargo movements, and vessel docking,
• wherein to remain affixed to both the earth below sea, and earth on shore such that a platform may safely convey cargoes as intended;
• a plurality of means for releasably attaching to a vessel equipped with a mating plurality of releasable attachment means that match the predetermined intervals of said plurality of means for structural support of said platform further forming a matching bay between each said plurality of means for structural support of said platform,
• wherein both said plurality of means for structural support of said platform and said vessel may temporarily dock in a rigid state that enables both loading, and unloading of mobile, cargo frames at each said matching bay;
• at least one of said 3-axis hoists;
• at least one of said 3-axis hoist structures,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame dock is formed;
• a plurality of cargo frame barges, wherein each comprise:
• a hull;
• a plurality of columns mounted to said hull in a regular linear arrangement forming a plurality of bays wherein each are sized, spaced and adapted to stow one of said cargo frames;
• at least one structural armature with a means for pivoting mounted to a structural outrigger;
• said means for pivoting enables said armature to mechanically align with a matching structure on a separate apparatus;
• means for releasably attaching to said plurality of columns is mounted to said structural armature;
• means for conveyance of said plurality of cargo frames on, off and about each said hull,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame barge is formed;
• a plurality of rail freight carts, wherein each comprises at least one pair of parallel rail bogies reduced in size to have a lower elevation view profile than a standard rail bogie, and separated by a distance that run on a pair of parallel rail tracks similarly spaced, wherein arranged in this manner, a rail freight cart is formed;
• at least one guide bumper for preventing semi-truck truck tires from falling into a bulk drop opening comprising a structural guide bumper formed on a level wherein bulk cargo is dropped from, preventing semi-truck tires from driving into a bulk drop opening, wherein arranged in this manner, a guide bumper is formed;
• a plurality of wireless control bollard and signal light wherein each comprises:
• a bollard;
• a control box;
• and
• a signal light,
• wherein arranged in this manner, a wireless control bollard and signal light is formed;
• a plurality of strengthened railroad rails wherein each comprises a railroad rail having a wider base flange than a railroad rail base flange as required to enhance the strength and bearing capacity of said railroad rail, wherein arranged in this manner, a strengthened railroad rail is formed;
• at least one set of two pairs of parallel rails and supporting frame comprising means for supporting a set of two pairs of parallel rails connected to the earth that conforms to terrain and keeps the two pairs of rails as horizontal as safe rail freight movement requires, wherein arranged in this manner, a set of two pairs of parallel rails and supporting frame is formed;
• at least one multi-floor semi-truck queueing tower having a plurality of bays on each said floor wherein semi-trucks may be slotted and stored temporarily and is served by at least one semi-truck elevator that has access to at least two floors, wherein arranged in this manner, a multi-floor semi-truck queueing tower is formed;
• a plurality of semi-truck transshipment yards wherein each comprises:
• a semi-truck lane;
• at least one pair of rails;
• and
• a floor capable of supporting a plurality of semi-trucks and their cargoes when fully loaded to their maximum rated weight, and including a healthy factor of safety,
• wherein both said semi-truck lane, and said at least one pair of rails are located on, and structurally supported by said floor,
• wherein a plan view orientation of said at least one pair of rails are arranged to be served from at least one of said 3-axis hoist structures at said floor to offload a plurality of series 1 freight containers on a portion of said rail carts from one of said cargo frames having a plurality of bays, wherein said at least one pair of rails merge, where more than one pair occurs, to a single second pair of rails that serves said semi-truck lane wherein said plurality of series 1 freight containers on the rail carts may each convey their cargoes to a semi-truck, and vice versa, and wherein at this location a semi-truck bay is formed, and
• wherein arranged in this manner, and when taken in full view, said plan view orientation of said semi-truck lane, said at least one of pair of rails, said semi-truck bay, and said floor form a semi-truck transshipment yard;
• at least one freight car transshipment yard, wherein each comprises:
• at least one set of feeder rails for conveying rail carts and, having no limit to the number of feeder rails in number;
• a first plurality of freight car rail sets which connect to at least one set of access rails from outside a port which convey freight trains and their cargoes;
• wherein said first plurality of freight car rail sets branch off from said at least one set of access rails enabling freight well cars to queue and align with spreaders that convey freight both from, and to rail carts;
• a second plurality of freight car rail sets branch off from said at least one set of feeder rails and align alongside said first plurality of freight car rail sets so that spreaders may convey both from, and to freight well cars;
• at least one structural frame that provides clearance for freight well cars and rails carts so that cargoes may be safely transferred;
• at least one spreader mounted and spaced to said structural frame such that they may convey cargoes from freight well cars to rail carts, and vice versa in a convenient, efficient manner;
• and
• at least one set of return rails for conveying rail carts, and cargoes, having no limit to the number of return rails in number,
• wherein when said at least one set of return rails consolidate said second plurality of freight car rail sets in a length that enables a batch of rail carts to fully queue without disturbing, or preventing a following batch of rail carts to approach respective said at least one spreader, when said at least one set of feeder rails, said first plurality of freight car rail sets, said second plurality of freight car rail sets, said at least one structural frame that, said at least one spreader, said at least one set of return rails are fully assembled a freight car transshipment yard is formed;
• a plurality of a cargo frame turntables comprising a pair of parallel bridges each supporting a pair of rails with structural bracing between the bridges, wherein arranged in this manner, a cargo frame turntable is formed;
• a plurality of bulk siloes wherein each are respectively in combination with one of said 3-axis hoist structures and one of said 3-axis hoists;
• and
• at least one computer that communicates with at least a portion of the above listed apparatus,
• wherein arranged thusly, a system for cargo transport is formed.