Distribution system
AssigneeMi-Jack Products, Inc.
InventorsJohn J. Lanigan, Sr., Peter W. Mirabella, John Lanigan, Jr., Myron Glickman, Richard Marec
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A distribution system (100) is disclosed. The system includes the steps of: providing (105) a multi-level pathfinder with a containment cavity having a ground level cell and an elevated level cell; configuring (110) the containment cavity to receive containers; and loading (115) the containment cavity with a first container and moving the first container vertically to allow a second loading of a second container. This system provides a simple, robust and efficient automatable buffer to load and unload, a container between a chassis and rail or port terminal and/or at distribution hub.
Claims20
A distribution system, comprising:
- a first and second column displaced from one another by a first distance;
- a third and fourth column displaced from one another by the first distance, and aligned with and separated from the first and second columns, respectively, by a second distance that is greater than the first distance, so as to define a rectangular containment cavity;
- each of said columns including an elevated support mechanism pivotally attached to the column at a first height, defining an upper cavity above the elevated support mechanisms and a lower cavity below the elevated support mechanisms, wherein the elevated support mechanisms are moveable between a support position configured to support a container, and a stowed position;
- each of said columns further including a moveable shelf configured for movement throughout a range of positions up and down the column between the upper cavity and the lower cavity wherein each of said moveable shelves includes a support pad configured to support a container and is adapted to receive and move a container between the lower cavity and the upper cavity for transfer to one of an overhead crane and a ground vehicle.
A distribution system, comprising:
- a plurality of vertical support structures defining a plurality of containment cavities;
- each of the plurality of vertical support structures having a vertically movable shelf and at least one container support platform pivotally attached to the vertical support structures, distal to a bottom of the vertical support structures;
- the at least one container support platform defining a ground level cell below the support platform and an elevated level cell above the support platform;
- and
- each of the vertically moveable shelves configured to be movable throughout a range of positions between the ground level cell and the elevated level cell, wherein each of the vertically moveable shelves are adapted to receive and move a container between the ground level cell and the elevated level cell for transfer to one of an overhead crane and a ground vehicle.
A distribution system, comprising:
- a container storage structure with first and second vertical support structures displaced from one another by a first distance and defining a containment cavity;
- the first and second vertical support structures having respective first and second elevated support mechanisms attached thereto at a fixed height, thereby defining a ground level cell below the support mechanisms and an elevated level cell above the support mechanisms said support mechanisms being movable between a stowed position and a support position;
- and
- first and second vertically moveable shelves each attached to the respective first and second vertical support structures, and each configured for movement throughout a range of positions between the ground level cell and the elevated level cell, wherein the first and second shelves are adapted to receive and move a container between the ground level cell and the elevated level cell for transfer to one of an overhead crane and a ground vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.