Self loading-unloading container train and power control unit
AssigneesRobert W. Wayman, Laurine Wayman
InventorRobert W. Wayman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention covers self loading-unloading of containers or pallets in a lateral motion, avoiding lifting, applying particularly to rail cars, trucks, and fixed platforms. The railway embodiment includes a central power control unit, unique platform cars with gripper-equipped arms, and scanning devices for monitoring operation plus reading indicia on the containers. The crew in the power control unit, which includes a novel driving arrangement, operates the train and the on-off loading equipment, either manually or automatically, remotely. By integration with similarly equipped trucks, freight handling can be fast, shock-free, door-to-door, and superior to existing modes.
Claims34
A railway train for rapid automatic loading and unloading of at least one cargo container, comprising:
- at least one bi-directional power control unit for providing motive power to and coordinating the cargo container loading and unloading operations of the railway train;
- at least one platform car operatively coupled to said control unit, said platform car defining a generally planar upper surface for accommodating said cargo container;
- at least one extensible arm assembly attached to said platform car and including at least two clamp members connected thereto which are releasably engagable to opposed sides of said cargo container;
- and
- a drive motor electrically interfaced to said control unit and coupled to said arm assembly for facilitating the extension and retraction thereof, said arm assembly being selectively retractable for purposes of drawing said cargo container laterally onto said upper surface, and extensible for purposes of dispensing said cargo container laterally from said upper surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.