Conveyor apparatus for loading or unloading packages from shipping containers

#The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus for unloading containers, and in particular, a conveyor apparatus removably connectable to an extendable conveyor for unloading shipping containers such as truck trailers.

#Modern supply networks utilize distribution centers to temporarily store products before distributing them to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to consumers. As a result, distribution centers receive a vast amount of products on a daily basis and many of these products arrive in packages on transport trucks. These packages are unloaded and then placed on a conveyor system, which sorts and routes the packages to different areas within the distribution center for later distribution. In many cases, these packages are unloaded using manual labor.

#A common problem with many distribution centers is that employees can injure themselves while unloading the packages from truck trailers. For example, trailers are often filled with packages from the floor to ceiling and employees sometimes strain themselves when repeatedly bending over to pick up the bottommost packages, and/or reaching up to grab the topmost packages. These repeated physical strains can cause short and long-term injuries. Even the seemingly simple task of carrying packages within the trailer can be hazardous, particularly with heavier packages. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide equipment that reduces health and safety concerns associated with unloading trailers.

#The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of methods and apparatus of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the conveyor apparatus of FIG. 1, in which a tiltable conveyor section of the pivoting conveyor pivots up and down between three positions;

#Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a conveyor apparatus 20 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, an operator uses the conveyor apparatus 20 to unload packages or other objects from a shipping container, such as a truck trailer, and onto an extendable conveyor 16, which may route the packages to different areas in a facility such as a distribution center. The extendable conveyor 16 includes three sections 18a, 18b, and 18c telescopically nested within each other, and a conveyor belt extending along the sections 18a, 18b, and 18c for conveying packages from the first section 18a toward the third section 18c. As known in the art, the length of the belt increases or decreases as the sections 18a, 18b, and 18c extend and retract from each other. While the illustrated extendable conveyor has three sections, it should be understood that the extendable conveyor may have a different number of sections, and that the conveyor apparatus 20 may be used with other types of conveyors, such as extendable roller conveyors, fixed length belt conveyors, and the like.

#The conveyor apparatus 20 includes a frame 22 connectable to the extendable conveyor 16, a pivoting conveyor 24 pivotally coupled to the frame 22 for unloading packages from the truck trailer, and a flexible conveyor 30 extending from the pivoting conveyor 24 toward the extendable conveyor 16 for conveying packages from the pivoting conveyor 24 to the extendable conveyor 16. While the conveyor apparatus 20 typically includes guarding for protecting the operator and addressing other safety concerns, the guarding is not shown in the illustrated embodiment for clarity.

#The pivoting conveyor 24 includes two conveyor sections, namely, a generally horizontal slewing conveyor section 26 pivotally coupled to the frame 22 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis V, and a tiltable conveyor section 28 having a proximal end pivotally coupled to the slewing conveyor section 26 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis H. The tiltable conveyor section 28 also has an opposing free end 32 shaped for receiving packages being unloaded from the truck trailer. Generally, the horizontal axis H of the tiltable conveyor section 28 is located between the free end 32 of the tiltable conveyor section 28 and the vertical axis V of the slewing conveyor section 26.