MODULAR INTERCHANGEABLE CARGO DECK

• US 20080213058A1
• Filed: 04/11/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: SIMMONS, JOHN B., JOHNSON, MICHAEL PATTERSON, GARCIA, ANIBAL J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,313,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 410/46
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/52 using rollers in the load-transporting element
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/08 Securing to the vehicle floor or sides B60P7/065, B60P7/13, B60P7/135 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2054 Load carrying floors for commercial vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/022 in multiple arrangement, e.g. stackable, nestable, connected or joined together side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/129 Transporter frames for containers

Abstract

A removable, modular, cargo deck trailer system may include different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units which are configured to be removably and interchangeably attached to a trailer. The different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units may collectively include a plurality of moving apparatus for moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the deck units, for moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the deck units, and for moving cargo in at least one of a widthwise direction relative to the deck units, and in a rotating direction relative to the deck units.

Claims

1. A removable, modular, cargo deck trailer system comprising:

a plurality of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units which are configured to be removably and interchangeably attached to a trailer, the deck units collectively comprising a plurality of moving apparatus for moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the deck units, for moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the deck units, and for moving cargo in at least one of a widthwise direction relative to the deck units and in a rotating direction relative to the deck units.

2. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprise three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units which are configured to be removably and interchangeably attached to a trailer.

3. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein at least one of three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprises a first moving apparatus for moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the deck units.

4. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 3 wherein the first moving apparatus comprises rollers aligned perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.

5. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprises at least one retractable and extendable stop member for retaining cargo on the deck unit.

6. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprises forklift holes for inserting a forklift member into the forklift holes in order to lift the deck unit off and onto a trailer.

7. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprises restraint members for securing cargo on the deck unit.

8. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 7 wherein the restraint members comprise male members for inserting into female holes of cargo.

9. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units comprises interface members for securing the deck unit to at least one of another deck unit and a trailer.

10. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 9 wherein the interface members comprise female holes for inserting male members of at least one of a trailer and another deck unit.

11. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprises a second moving apparatus for moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the second deck unit.

12. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 11 wherein the second moving apparatus comprises a plurality of hydraulic lift members, wherein the plurality of hydraulic lift members are configured to extend from positions substantially flush to or within a surface of the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit to positions distances away from the surface of the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit.

13. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprises a third moving apparatus for at least one of moving cargo in a widthwise direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit and moving cargo in a rotating direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit.

14. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 13 wherein the third moving apparatus comprises at least one of:

a retractable and extendable turntable which is configured to extend from a position substantially flush to or within a surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit to a position a distance away from the surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit in order to rotate cargo;

retractable and extendable side-shift rollers which are configured to extend from positions substantially flush to or within the surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit to positions distances away from the surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit in order to at least one of rotate cargo relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit and move cargo in a widthwise direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit; and

retractable and extendable pallet-turn rollers which are configured to extend from positions substantially flush to or within the surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit to positions distances away from the surface of the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit in order to at least one of rotate cargo relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit and move cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit.

15. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein the first type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprises a first moving apparatus for moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the first type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit, the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprises a second moving apparatus for moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit, and the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprises a third moving apparatus for at least one of moving cargo in a widthwise direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit and moving cargo in a rotating direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit.

16. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units are configured to move cargo comprising at least one of military and aircraft cargo.

17. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 2 wherein the first type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units is used for moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the deck units, the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units is used for moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the deck units, and the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units is used for moving cargo in at least one of a widthwise direction relative to the deck units and in a rotating direction relative to the deck units.

18. The cargo deck trailer system of claim 17 wherein the modular, interchangeable deck units are adapted to be removably attached to the trailer in different combinations in order to move different types of cargo in different ways.

19. A trailer deck system comprising:

a deck unit comprising a plurality of hydraulic lift members, wherein the plurality of hydraulic lift members are configured to extend from positions substantially flush to or within a surface of the deck unit to positions distances away from the surface of the deck unit.

20. The trailer deck system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of hydraulic lift members comprise hydraulic lift bars for lifting cargo off the surface of the deck unit.

21. The trailer deck system of claim 19 wherein the deck unit is a modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit for removably and interchangeably attaching to a trailer.

22. A method of moving cargo on a trailer deck system comprising:

providing three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units, the first type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprising a first moving apparatus, the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprising a second moving apparatus, and the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit comprising a third moving apparatus;

removeably and interchangeably attaching at least one of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units to a trailer;

and at least one of moving cargo in a lengthwise direction relative to the first type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit using the first moving apparatus, moving cargo in a vertical direction relative to the second type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit using the second moving apparatus, moving cargo in a widthwise direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit using the third moving apparatus, and moving cargo in a rotating direction relative to the third type of modular, interchangeable, removable deck unit using the third moving apparatus.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first moving apparatus comprises rollers, the second moving apparatus comprises a plurality of hydraulic lift members, and the third moving apparatus comprises at least one of a retractable and extendable turntable, retractable and extendable side-shift rollers, and retractable and extendable pallet-turn rollers.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the attaching step comprises removeably and interchangeably attaching two or more of the three different types of modular, interchangeable, removable deck units to the trailer.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of removing at least one of the two or more attached types of the modular, interchangeable, removable deck units from the trailer and interchangeably attaching at least another type of the modular, interchangeable, removable deck units to the trailer to vary a combination of the modular, interchangeable, removable deck units attached to the trailer.