Apparatus and method for moving catalyst bins
OwnerKenneth Taylorinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for moving catalyst containers includes a lifting jack having first and second legs each supporting a roller, and each having a relatively short length to avoid contact with the discharge hopper of the container. First and second idler rollers are inserted under one end of the container base. A load plate of the lifting jack is engaged with the second end of the container base, and raised, allowing the container to be moved. The load plate is rotatably supported by a support plate positioned between the legs of the lifting jack. In use, a first end of the base is raised, the idler rollers are inserted, the first end is lowered, the lifting jack is inserted into the second end of the base, and raised to permit transport of the container.
Claims12
An apparatus for moving catalyst containers in relatively close quarters, the catalyst containers having a base extending between first and second opposing ends and having first and second opposing sides, an uppermost opening for loading material into the catalyst container, a hopper outlet for discharging material stored in the catalyst container downwardly through the base, the hopper being spaced from the first and second opposing ends of the base by a first predetermined distance, said apparatus comprising in combination:
- a lifting jack including first and second legs spaced from each other for extending into the base of a catalyst container, each of the first and second legs having a length shorter than the first predetermined distance to avoid contact with the hopper, each of said first and second legs pivotally supporting a load roller associated therewith, the lifting jack including a load-bearing surface for engaging an end of the catalyst container base, the lifting jack selectively raising or lowering the load-bearing surface;
- first and second idler roller assemblies, the first and second idler roller assemblies each including a support frame for engaging the base of the catalyst container and including a load roller rotationally housed within its support frame;
- whereby the first and second idler roller assemblies may be inserted below the first end of the catalyst container base proximate the first and second sides thereof, respectively, and the first and second legs of the lifting jack may be inserted within the second end of the catalyst container base, and the lifting jack may be actuated to raise the load-bearing surface for raising the second end of catalyst container base, and for allowing the catalyst container to be moved.
A method of supporting a catalyst container for movement in relatively close quarters, the catalyst container having a base extending between first and second opposing ends and having first and second opposing sides, an uppermost opening for loading material into the catalyst container, a hopper outlet for discharging material stored in the catalyst container downwardly through the base, the hopper being spaced from the first and second opposing ends of the base by a first predetermined distance, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) raising a first end of the catalyst container base above a support surface;
- b) inserting a first idler roller between the support surface and the catalyst container base proximate a first side of the first end of the catalyst container base;
- c) inserting a second idler roller between the support surface and the catalyst container base proximate a second side of the first end of the catalyst container base;
- d) lowering the first end of the catalyst container base so that it rests upon the first and second idler rollers;
- e) providing a lifting jack having a pair of legs each shorter in length than the first predetermined distance, each of such legs including a roller for rolling upon the support surface, the lifting jack including at least one load-bearing surface for engaging the catalyst container base, and the lifting jack being adapted to selectively raise or lower the load-bearing surface;
- f) inserting the first and second legs of the lifting jack within the second end of the catalyst container base;
- g) operating the lifting jack to raise the load-bearing surface to lift the second end of the catalyst container base;
- and
- h) exerting lateral force on the lifting jack to roll the catalyst container in a desired direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.