AUTOMATIC TRANSFER AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM

• US 3,788,500 A
• Filed: 04/27/1971
• Issued: 01/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheridan, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/137,992
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 214/14,38R,38B,38BA,38BB,38CA,38CC,38D,41,516,517,16.4,16.4A
• US Class Current: 414/792.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/6427 the load-transporting element being shifted horizontally in a fore and aft direction, combined or not with a vertical displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/02 Loading or unloading land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/20 Loading covered vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus and system for automatically loading and unloading vehicles such as truck and trailer bodies, cargo aircraft, trains, boats and the like utilizing computer-controlled stacker cranes and specialized guidance means therefore to effect the direct or indirect transfer of palletized cargo to and from a loading ramp or ramp system and one or more vehicles which are prepositioned relative thereto. In one form, a track system such as an overhead monorail trackway for guiding stacker cranes is provided to carry loads from temporary storage in racking located near or at a loading ramp to vehicles predeterminately disposed with respect to said ramp. Upon predeterminately aligning a vehicle with the ramp and crane trackway, one or more stacker cranes may be operated to automatically load and/or unload the vehicle by traveling adjacent thereto or into the vehicle. In another form, modular racks are provided which are portable and may be automatically winched or otherwise moved from the loading ramp into the vehicle in the act of loading the vehicle or from the vehicle onto the loading ramp when unloading the vehicle of a plurality of such portable racks. Either the vehicle or a trackway may be moved to effect the movement of a materials handling device from the loading ramp into the vehicle and, in the act of unloading the vehicle from the vehicle onto the loading ramp. Means are provided in the vehicle for retaining loads or racks predeterminately disposed therein so as to prevent their shifting during movement of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A conveying apparatus for servicing cargo carrying vehicles, which vehicles are operative for transporting cargo between distant locations and which apparatus has access to the interiors of said vehicles for transferring cargo relative thereto comprising:

a loading terminal for cargo and vehicles;

a conveying system for cargo to be loaded on a vehicle disposed at said loading terminal, said conveying system including;

a movable first carrier for a plurality of loads capable of being disposed in a stacked array on said first carrier;

a second carrier comprising load handling means having vertical lift means for stacking individual loads, one above the other, at different locations lengthwise of said first carrier;

guide means for guiding said second carrier in a predetermined path;

means for aligning said first carrier adjacent said guide means whereby said second carrier may operate along said guide means and may have access to said first carrier to permit said second carrier to horizontally and vertically dispose individual loads on said first carrier;

a cargo carrying vehicle having an opening thereto through which opening said first carrier may pass into said vehicle when said first carrier is aligned with said opening to permit the insertion of said first carrier into said vehicle and means for power moving and guiding said first carrier loaded into said vehicle when it is aligned with the opening in said vehicle.

2. Conveying apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second carrier includes an individual self propelled stacker crane and said guide means comprises an overhead trackway extending adjacent at said loading terminal whereby said stacker crane may dispose its loads on said first carrier.

3. A conveying apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first carrier includes rack means located thereon to receive lOads from said second carrier in predetermined stacked arrays and said second carrier comprises a stacker crane operable for loading the rack means of said first carrier.

4. Conveying apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first carrier is supported on wheels for rolling movement into a vehicle and means for preventing rolling movement of said first carrier within said vehicle.

5. Conveying apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for power moving said first carrier loaded into a vehicle comprises a motor operated mechanism supported by the vehicle for driving said first carrier into the vehicle.