Sequencing turntable apparatus and method for physical distribution, transportation and warehousing
OwnerFrederick Wertz, Eugene Palffyinventors
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Abstract
A turntable for moving railcars is adapted to be concentrically positioned among a plurality of radially aligned, outer railways. The turntable has an azimuthally rotatable, annular frame having a spaced plurality of radially disposed, intermediate railways that selectively align with different ones of the outer railways. Also included is a platform having at least one central railway that can be aligned with at least one of the intermediate railways. This platform is mounted concentrically within the annular frame.
Claims11
A turntable for moving railcars adapted to be concentrically positioned among a plurality of radially aligned, outer railways, comprising:
- an azimuthally rotatable, annular frame having a spaced plurality of radially disposed, intermediate railways segregated into aligned pairs for selectively aligning with different ones of said outer railways;
- and
- a platform having at least one central railway for aligning with at least one of said intermediate railways, said platform being connected with means for rotatably mounting said platform concentrically within said annular frame.
A method for moving railcars between a plurality of radially disposed, outer railways, by employing a concentric assembly of radial, intermediate railways, and a concentric central railway, comprising the steps of:
- aligning said central railway with a selected one of said intermediate railways and a selected one of said outer railways;
- rolling one or more of the railcars from said selected one of said outer railways to said selected one of said intermediate railways;
- and
- turning said concentric assembly to align said selected one of said intermediate railways with another one of said outer railways so that said one or more of said railcars can be moved to said another one of said outer railways;
- and
- turning said central railway with said concentric assembly to align said selected one of said intermediate railways and said central railway with another one of said outer railways.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.