Bulk distribution system
First Claim
1. A load conveyor arrangement for the storage and conveyance of load-carrying roller carts in a loading vehicle having a loading platform, comprising:
- endless conveyor means having a pair of conveyor runs extending along the longitudinal length of said platform;
a plurality of roller cart-supporting carriers being fastened to said endless conveyor means in predetermined spaced relationship along the length thereof, each of said carriers being adapted to respectively support one of said roller carts, each said carrier comprising a pair of parrallel spaced U-rails extending normally from said endless conveyor means above said loading platform, said U-rails being downwardly inclined towards said endless conveyor means, and at least one crossbeam interconnecting said U-rails so as to form a rigid bracket structure, said load-carrying roller carts each having casters mounted thereon adapted to be supported on said U-rails;
drive means operatively engaging said endless conveyor means for moving said conveyor runs and said carriers along said platorm; and
means for controlling the extent of movement of said endless carrier means and of said carriers for selectively positioning said carriers on said loading platform in either roller cart loading and unloading or transportation modes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load carry arrangement with a storage and conveyance of load-carrying roller carts in a loading vehicle in which an endless conveyor is adapted to extend along the longitudinal platform of a cargo carrying vehicle. The arrangement includes a plurality of roller cart-supporting carriers fastened thereto which are adapted to be positioned on a cargo platform in predetermined spaced relationships, and which will facilitate the ready loading and unloading of cargo-carrying roller carts relative to the carriers while assuring the safe storage thereof in the cargo-carrying vehicle. No modification to the carriers or other containers are required, as they are emplaced directly onto the cart-carriers or slave pallets for transit. Space utilization within the truck or other vehicle is maximized with the present design, and the stability of the load emplacement permits ready, rapid cycling of goods within the truck, as in indexing for delivery.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A load conveyor arrangement for the storage and conveyance of load-carrying roller carts in a loading vehicle having a loading platform, comprising:
- endless conveyor means having a pair of conveyor runs extending along the longitudinal length of said platform;
a plurality of roller cart-supporting carriers being fastened to said endless conveyor means in predetermined spaced relationship along the length thereof, each of said carriers being adapted to respectively support one of said roller carts, each said carrier comprising a pair of parrallel spaced U-rails extending normally from said endless conveyor means above said loading platform, said U-rails being downwardly inclined towards said endless conveyor means, and at least one crossbeam interconnecting said U-rails so as to form a rigid bracket structure, said load-carrying roller carts each having casters mounted thereon adapted to be supported on said U-rails;
drive means operatively engaging said endless conveyor means for moving said conveyor runs and said carriers along said platorm; and
means for controlling the extent of movement of said endless carrier means and of said carriers for selectively positioning said carriers on said loading platform in either roller cart loading and unloading or transportation modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- endless conveyor means having a pair of conveyor runs extending along the longitudinal length of said platform;
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14. A system for the handling of containerized cargo comprising a load platform, said platform being transected by driven endless elongated conveyor means, a multiplicity of load carriers slaved to said conveyor means at closely spaced intervals, said load carriers being elevated above said platform and adapted for movement thereacross by provision of wheel means, said wheel means comprising a plurality of fully spaced wheels, each of said wheels being load bearing, the load carriers respectively being slaved to said conveyor means from positions proximate the periphery of the load carriers whereby the load carriers extend normally from said conveyor means and pivot through a maximum arc about the termini of said conveyor means, each said load carrier comprising a pair of parallel spaced U-rails extending normally from said endless conveyor means above said loading platform, said U-rails being downwardly inclined towards said endless conveyor means, and at least one crossbeam interconnecting said U-rails so as to form a rigid bracket structure, said load-carrying roller carts each having casters mounted thereon adapted to be supported on said U-rails;
- drive means operatively engaging said endless conveyor means for moving said conveyor runs and said carriers along said platform; and
means for controlling the extent of movement of said endless carrier means and of said carriers for selectively positioning said carriers on said loading platform in either roller cart loading and unloading or transportation modes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
- drive means operatively engaging said endless conveyor means for moving said conveyor runs and said carriers along said platform; and
Specification