Modular transportation systems, devices and methods
First Claim
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1. A transport method comprising:
- providing a transport module having a height defined by a top and a base with recessed grooved wheels, a width defined by two side walls, a rear wall and a front, the front having a door, wherein the recessed grooved wheels are located in the base of the module and the entirety of each of the recessed grooved wheels is above the lowermost surface of the base of the module such that when the base of the module lies on a flat surface the recessed grooved wheels do not touch the flat surface;
loading one or more items into the transport module through the door;
providing a vessel having a cargo bay, the cargo bay having a longitudinal length defined by front wall and a rear, a height defined by a top and a floor, and a width defined by two side walls, the floor having at least two inverted v-shaped tracks corresponding to the recessed grooved wheels of the transport module running the length of the cargo bay from the rear to the front;
loading the transport module into the cargo bay through the rear such that the recessed grooved wheels slidably engage the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor;
sliding the transport module longitudinally along the tracks toward the front of the cargo bay;
moving the vessel to a desired destination; and
removing the transport module by sliding the module toward and out of the rear of the cargo bay along the inverted v-shaped tracks.
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Abstract
A system including devices and methods for transporting or storing materials uses slidable containers, or modules. The modules have recessed wheels that facilitate sliding movement when placed on tracks. The use of tracks allows for precise placement of the modules in close proximity to each other and the walls of a vessel or facility they are placed in. The modules may be disassembled for easy, compact storage or transport. The modules may be used with a lift platform adapted to accommodate the modules and tracks or rails for engaging the recessed wheels. By using closely aligned tracks, the transport module may be used to maximize efficient use of space when transporting cargo.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A transport method comprising:
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providing a transport module having a height defined by a top and a base with recessed grooved wheels, a width defined by two side walls, a rear wall and a front, the front having a door, wherein the recessed grooved wheels are located in the base of the module and the entirety of each of the recessed grooved wheels is above the lowermost surface of the base of the module such that when the base of the module lies on a flat surface the recessed grooved wheels do not touch the flat surface; loading one or more items into the transport module through the door; providing a vessel having a cargo bay, the cargo bay having a longitudinal length defined by front wall and a rear, a height defined by a top and a floor, and a width defined by two side walls, the floor having at least two inverted v-shaped tracks corresponding to the recessed grooved wheels of the transport module running the length of the cargo bay from the rear to the front; loading the transport module into the cargo bay through the rear such that the recessed grooved wheels slidably engage the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor; sliding the transport module longitudinally along the tracks toward the front of the cargo bay; moving the vessel to a desired destination; and removing the transport module by sliding the module toward and out of the rear of the cargo bay along the inverted v-shaped tracks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A transport method comprising:
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providing a transport module having a height defined by a top and a base with recessed grooved wheels, a width defined by two side walls, a rear wall and a front, the front having a door, wherein recessed grooved wheels are located in the base of the module and the entirety of each of the recessed grooved wheels is above the lowermost surface of the base of the module such that when the base of the module lies on a flat surface the recessed grooved wheels do not touch the flat surface; loading one or more items into the transport module through the door; providing a vessel having a cargo bay, the cargo bay having a longitudinal length defined by front wall and a rear, a height defined by a top and a floor, and a width defined by two side walls, the floor having inverted v-shaped tracks corresponding to the recessed grooved wheels of transport module running the length of the cargo bay from the rear to the front; using a forklift to place the module on a lift platform having inverted v-shaped tracks and positioned at the rear of the cargo bay; elevating the lift platform so that is it flush with the floor of the cargo bay and the inverted v-shaped tracks on the platform align with the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor of the cargo bay; sliding the module off the platform and into the cargo bay through the rear such that the recessed grooved wheels slidably engage the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor; sliding the transport module longitudinally along the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor toward the front of the cargo bay; moving the vessel to a desired destination; and removing the transport module by sliding the module toward and out of the rear of the cargo bay along the inverted v-shaped tracks on the floor; wherein the top of the top of the transport module is substantially flush with the top of the cargo bay, and the sides of the transport module are substantially flush with the sides of the cargo bay; wherein the one or more modules comprises a plurality of modules, each module substantially abutting adjacent modules in the cargo bay; and
wherein the transport module is comprised of planar, stackable components that may be assembled and disassembled.
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Specification