Centralized cargo transfer system using a movable transfer dock

• US 20030198544A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Art Shoener, Tom Campbell
• Original Assignee: Art Shoener, Tom Campbell
• Inventors: Campbell, Tom, Shoener, Art
• Application Number:
  US10/126,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198544A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/340
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/002 for articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/022 for articles

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising a first railway to accommodate the rail cars; a staging area; and a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock; wherein the cargo is transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock. Also disclosed is a movable transfer dock for facilitating the transfer of cargo between a staging area and a rail car, comprising: a movable platform having a plurality of wheels thereunder to support the platform on a plurality of rails; a mechanism to allow for facile movement of cargo; and a pressurized air source mounted to the platform. Also disclosed is a cargo container for use with embodiments of the present system.

Claims

1. A system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising:

a first railway to accommodate the rail cars;

a staging area; and

a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock;

wherein the cargo is transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the staging area is a truck loading and unloading zone.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said rail cars are refrigerated rail cars.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising palletized cargo containers for transporting the cargo to be transferred between the staging area and the rail cars.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable transfer dock includes a means for positioning the movable transfer dock.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means for temporarily securing the movable transfer dock to at least one of the rail cars.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the movable transfer dock further comprises conveyor means for facilitating the movement of cargo.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable transfer dock is a partially enclosed unit comprising a plurality of doors for receiving and depositing cargo.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the movable transfer dock further comprises expandable curtain seals for sealing the area between at least one door and the rail cars.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more of the rail cars are boxcars.

11. A movable transfer dock for facilitating the transfer of cargo between a staging area and a rail car or boxcar, comprising:

a movable platform having a plurality of wheels thereunder to support the platform on a plurality of rails;

a conveyor means for facilitating movement of cargo; and

a pressurized air source mounted to the platform.

12. The transfer dock of claim 11 further comprising insulation beneath the platform.

13. The transfer dock of claim 12 further comprising a drive motor mounted to the platform for moving the dock along the plurality of rails.

14. The transfer dock of claim 13 wherein the motor is mounted beneath the platform.

15. The transfer dock of claim 14 wherein the drive motor maintains an electrical connection with a hot rail.

16. The transfer dock of claim 11 further comprising bumpers about the periphery of the platform.

17. The transfer dock of claim 11 further comprising an enclosure unit assembled to the platform, the enclosure unit comprising a plurality of doors for receiving and depositing cargo.

18. The transfer dock of claim 17 further comprising curtain seals about the periphery of the doors.

19. The transfer dock of claim 17 further comprising a video camera mounted outside the enclosure unit.

20. The transfer dock of claim 17 further comprising an air conditioning unit for cooling the interior of the enclosure unit.

21. A system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising:

a first railway to accommodate the rail cars;

a staging area;

a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock; and

one or more palletized cargo containers adapted to hold the cargo;

wherein the palletized cargo containers are transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein one or more of the rail cars are boxcars.