TRANSPORT SYSTEM

• US 20110172875A1
• Filed: 01/14/2010
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Transport Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: CLS International
• Inventors: Gibbs, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,942,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/20 Loading covered vehicles

Abstract

A mobile moving system that faculties freight movement includes movable approach ramps and a mobile base. The mobile base includes material handling devices configured to move freight longitudinally between a loading position, a transport position, and an unloading position. Parallel pocket members having a hollow-box-like shape are positioned along a portion of the plurality of the material handling devices to increase the torsional strength and rigidity of the material handling devices. The parallel pocket members are spaced apart and dimensioned so that each of the plurality of parallel pocket members may receive one or more prongs of an industrial vehicle.

Claims

1. A mobile moving system for moving freight comprising:

a plurality of movable approach ramps;

a mobile base comprising a plurality of material handling devices configured to move freight longitudinally between a loading position, a transport position, and an unloading position of a vehicle; and

a plurality of parallel pocket members having a hollow-box like shape positioned along a portion of the plurality of the material handling devices that increase the torsional strength and rigidity of the plurality of the material handling devices;

where the plurality of parallel pocket members are spaced apart and dimensioned so that each of the plurality of parallel pocket members may receive one or more prongs of a vehicle.

2. The mobile moving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locking receptacles configured to receive an upright that is used to secure and protect loads during transport.

3. The mobile moving system of claim 1 where the plurality of movable approach ramps comprises self-leveling ramps that compensate for height variations between the mobile base and a loading dock height.

4. The mobile moving system of claim 3 where at least one of the plurality of movable approach ramps comprises a securing lock that provides a sufficient securing force to secure a vehicle trailer to a loading dock when loading or unloading freight.

5. The mobile moving system of claim 4 where the securing lock is unitary to the at least one of the plurality of movable approach ramps.

6. The mobile moving system of claim 4 further comprising an aural or visual alarm programmed to alert users of an un-secure connection between the securing lock and the loading dock.

7. The mobile moving system of claim 4 where the securing lock is powered by a motor.

8. The mobile moving system of claim 1 further comprising sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to position freight in a straight, a turned, and a pin-wheeled position.

9. The mobile moving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to monitor weight and transmit alerts when load limit thresholds are reached.

10. The mobile moving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to ensure freight is loaded onto the material handling devices is properly separated into a plurality of zones and may unloaded under a singulation and a slug release protocol.

11. The mobile moving system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of auto-leveling sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor mechanically coupled to the mobile base that is configured to adjust the height of a front, a rear, and a side portion of the mobile base when a height variation is detected between two or more of the plurality of material handling devices.

12. The mobile moving system of claim 10 where the processor is in communication with an in-vehicle power-train controller.

13. The mobile monitoring system of claim 9 where the processor compensates for vehicle conditions monitored by the in-vehicle power-train controller.

14. A mobile moving system for moving freight comprising:

a plurality of rotatable ramps;

a plurality frame members extending from the plurality of rotatable ramps and extending longitudinally between a loading position, a transport position near a braced end, and an unloading position;

a plurality of rollers coupled between at least two of the plurality frame members and positioned from a proximal end of the moving system to a distal end of the moving system;

a plurality of locking receptacles about equally spaced and adjacent to the plurality frame members and each configured to receive a vertically extending upright configured to secure and protect loads; and

a plurality of pocket members having a hollow interior positioned along a portion of the plurality frame members and configured to increase the torsional strength and rigidity of the plurality of the plurality frame members;

where the plurality of pocket members are spaced apart and dimensioned so that each of the parallel pocket members may receive one or more prongs of a pronged platform that may be raised, lowered, or moved.

15. The mobile moving system of claim 14 where the pocket members terminate at hollow ends that are configured to mate and lock with connecting members that join a plurality of mobile moving systems.

16. The mobile moving system of claim 14 where the plurality of rotatable ramps comprises automated self-leveling ramps that connect different height levels between the plurality frame members and a loading dock height.

17. The mobile moving system of claim 16 where each of the plurality of rotatable ramps comprises a securing lock that provides sufficient force to secure a vehicle trailer to the loading dock when loading or unloading freight.

18. The mobile moving system of claim 17 where each of the securing locks is unitary to each of the plurality of rotatable ramps.

19. The mobile moving system of claim 17 further comprising an aural or optical sensor programmed to alert users of an un-secure connection between the securing lock and the loading dock.

20. The mobile moving system of claim 17 where each of the securing locks is powered by a motor.

21. The mobile moving system of claim 14 further comprising sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to position freight in a straight, a turned, or a pin-wheeled position.

22. The mobile moving system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to monitor weight and transmit alerts when load limit thresholds are reached.

23. The mobile moving system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of sensors mechanically coupled to the mobile base and in communication with a processor programmed to load freight onto the plurality of rollers through a plurality of programmed zones where the freight may be unloaded under a singulation and a slug release protocol.

24. The mobile moving system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of auto-leveling sensors mechanically coupled to the plurality frame members and in communication with a processor mechanically coupled to the mobile base that is configured to adjust a height of a front, a rear, and a side portion of the plurality frame members when a height variation is detected between two or more of the plurality of rollers by adjusting a height and an inclination of selected rollers.

25. The mobile moving system of claim 24 where the processor is in communication with an in-vehicle power-train controller.

26. The mobile monitoring system of claim 24 where the processor compensates for vehicle conditions monitored by an in-vehicle power-train controller.