US 5,511,927 AGranted

Load transferring system

AssigneeMi-Jack Products, Inc.

InventorsJohn J. Lanigan, Sr., John J. Lanigan, Jr., William P. Lanigan, Michael T. Lanigan

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Abstract

A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for transferring loads between railroad cars on a series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks for carrying separate strings of connected rail cars in side-by-side relation, which comprises the steps of:

providing a ground supported first lifting frame extending over said parallel tracks and movable parallel to said parallel tracks;
providing on said lifting frame a grappler which is moveable transversely with respect to said tracks;
moving the grappler along said lifting frame and transversely with respect to said tracks to a position overlying a first railroad car carrying a load;
operating said grappler to lift the load from said first railroad car;
moving said grappler with said lifted load transversely with respect to said tracks to overlie a second railroad car in which said load is to be placed;
operating said grappler to lower said lifted load and to deposit said load directly onto said second railroad car;
providing a second lifting frame that is ground supported at generally the same elevational level as the first lifting frame overlapping the first lifting frame and movable parallel to said parallel tracks and parallel to the movement of said first lifting frame;
providing on said second lifting frame a second grappler which is moveable transversely with respect to said track;
moving said second grappler along said second lifting frame and transversely with respect to said tracks to a position overlying a third railroad car carrying a load;
operating said second grappler to lift a load from said third railroad car;
moving said grappler with said lifted load transversely with respect to said tracks to overlie a fourth railroad car in which said load is to be placed;
and
operating said second grappler to lower said lifted load and to deposit said load directly onto said fourth railroad car.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/384,420Filed 6 Feb 1995 · division
Priority: 16 Apr 1992
Granted: 30 Apr 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B66C 19/002
Cranes comprising trolleys or crabs running on fixed or movable bridges or gantries: container cranes
B65G 63/004
For articles: for containers
B66C 1/102
For containers: for two or more containers end to end
B66C 1/663
For engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof: for containers