Cargo transport system
First Claim
1. In a cargo transport system for transferring discrete cargo loads from a vessel upon which is mounted a powered lateral conveyor means for directing movement of discrete cargo loads along a path terminating at a loading station on said vessel to a conveyor tower extending vertically from a cargo terminal to the aforesaid loading station and carrying thereon an endless conveyor means formed with discrete receptacles traversing the length of said tower, so that each of said receptacles sequentially approaches the loading station to receive a cargo load therefrom;
- the improvement wherein there is provided at said loading station;
a lateral platform mounted on said vessel for passively receiving discrete cargo loads from said powered lateral conveyor means;
transfer means positioned between said tower and said platform for sequentially accepting said cargo loads from said platform and for transferring an accepted cargo load to a receptacle arriving at said loading station upon actuation over a pre-set transfer interval;
powered cargo delivery means for forcing cargo loads received on said platform from said lateral conveyor means to said transfer means during said pre-set transfer interval;
and receptacle sensing means for detecting an approaching receptacle and for actuating said transfer means to effect the transfer of a cargo load from said lateral conveyor means to said approaching receptacle, andmeans for actuating said powered cargo delivery means to effect delivery of a sequential load to said transfer means as aforesaid after the elapse of a pre-set transfer interval from the moment of actuation of said transfer means, whereby said cargo loads are automatically moved from said lateral conveyor across said lateral platform to be sequentially loaded in said receptacles
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cargo transport system is provided for a vessel in which a transfer mechanism separately transfers discrete cargo loads from a loading station on the deck of the vessel to a vertically extending conveyor system. A powered cargo delivery system sequentially forces cargo loads from the loading station onto the transfer mechanism. A sensing device detects the approach of a receptacle of the vertically extending conveyor system and actuates the transfer mechanism to transport one load from the loading station to the approaching receptacle. The sensing device also actuates the cargo delivery system to force the following cargo load onto the transfer mechanism after the elapse of a pre-set interval during which time the transfer mechanism transfers a load to a receptacle and returns to a load acceptance position. The cargo delivery means is preferably formed of sprockets turning an endless chain to which are fastened push bars. The push bars extend perpendicular to the plane in which the chain moves and push the cargo loads across a loading platform at the loading station and onto the transfer mechanism.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a cargo transport system for transferring discrete cargo loads from a vessel upon which is mounted a powered lateral conveyor means for directing movement of discrete cargo loads along a path terminating at a loading station on said vessel to a conveyor tower extending vertically from a cargo terminal to the aforesaid loading station and carrying thereon an endless conveyor means formed with discrete receptacles traversing the length of said tower, so that each of said receptacles sequentially approaches the loading station to receive a cargo load therefrom;
- the improvement wherein there is provided at said loading station;
a lateral platform mounted on said vessel for passively receiving discrete cargo loads from said powered lateral conveyor means; transfer means positioned between said tower and said platform for sequentially accepting said cargo loads from said platform and for transferring an accepted cargo load to a receptacle arriving at said loading station upon actuation over a pre-set transfer interval; powered cargo delivery means for forcing cargo loads received on said platform from said lateral conveyor means to said transfer means during said pre-set transfer interval; and receptacle sensing means for detecting an approaching receptacle and for actuating said transfer means to effect the transfer of a cargo load from said lateral conveyor means to said approaching receptacle, and means for actuating said powered cargo delivery means to effect delivery of a sequential load to said transfer means as aforesaid after the elapse of a pre-set transfer interval from the moment of actuation of said transfer means, whereby said cargo loads are automatically moved from said lateral conveyor across said lateral platform to be sequentially loaded in said receptacles - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- the improvement wherein there is provided at said loading station;
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4. An improved cargo transport system for use in transferring a multiplicity of separate and discrete loads to a cargo terminal from a loading area of a vessel vertically displaced there from comprising:
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a vertically extending support secured to said cargo terminal having an endless conveyor system with separate receptacles therein, traveling the length thereof, whereby each of said receptacles approaches the loading area of said vessel along a generally vertical path in seriatim order; a powered lateral conveyor means mounted on said vessel to carry discrete loads along a generally horizontal path to said loading area; a queing platform located at said loading area for receiving loads from said lateral conveyor means; a load transfer mechanism cyclically operable to switch from a load acceptance mode to a load transfer mode and to return to said load acceptance mode for individually accepting said separate loads from said queing platform while in a load acceptance mode and for individually transferring said loads to said receptacle during operation in said load transfer mode to effectuate transpositioning of said separate loads between said horizontal path and said generally vertical path; a powered cargo delivery means for propelling said cargo loads individually across said platform to said load transfer mechanism; and receptacle sensing means for detecting the approach of a receptacle toward said loading area of said vessel and connected to switch said load transfer mechanism from said load acceptance mode to said load transfer mode to transfer a load deposited thereon to said approaching receptacle; and means for actuating the powered cargo delivery means to move another load from said queing platform onto said load transfer mechanism upon return of said load transfer mechanism to said load acceptance mode. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a cargo transport system for transferring discrete cargo loads from a vessel upon which is mounted a lateral conveyor means for directing movement of discrete cargo loads along a path terminating at a loading station on said vessel to a conveyor tower extending vertically from a cargo terminal to the aforesaid loading station and carrying thereon an endless conveyor means formed with discrete receptacles traversing the length of said tower, so that each of said receptacles sequentially approaches the loading station to receive a cargo load therefrom;
- the improvement wherein there is provided at said loading station;
a platform transversely oriented with respect to said lateral conveyor means and mounted on said vessel and sloped downward therefrom toward said endless conveyor means for sequentially and passively receiving discrete cargo loads from said lateral conveyor means, and for allowing loads so received to slide toward an approaching receptacle; powered cargo delivery means for forcing cargo loads onto said sloped platform from said lateral conveyor means; receptacle sensing means for detecting an approaching receptacle in said endless conveyor means for actuating said powered cargo delivery means to effect delivery of a sequential load onto said platform means as aforesaid whereby said cargo load slides from said platform into said approaching receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (16)
- the improvement wherein there is provided at said loading station;
Specification