High density narrow-profile storage system
First Claim
1. A high density narrow-profile storage method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a storage yard including a track, a storage area adjacent and parallel to the track and a plurality of strategically positioned buffers adjacent and parallel to the storage area;
unloading a container from a train car;
storing the container in the storage area;
loading the container on one of the strategically positioned buffers in proximity to the storage area, in a substantially unitary step of picking and placing the container on one of the strategically positioned buffers by use of a crane;
lowering the container which is on one of the strategically positioned buffers, on a chassis of a tractor trailer; and
transporting the container away from one of the strategically positioned buffers, with a tractor trailer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high density narrow-profile storage system, comprising the steps of: unloading a container from a train car; storing the container in a storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a track; loading the container on a buffer in proximity to the storage yard; lowering the container on a chassis of a tractor trailer; and transporting the container away from the buffer. The system can include: a crane; a narrow-profile storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a train track; a buffer adapted to receive and raise or lower a container from or onto a chassis of a tractor trailer; and a tractor for transporting the container to or from the buffer.
114 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A high density narrow-profile storage method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a storage yard including a track, a storage area adjacent and parallel to the track and a plurality of strategically positioned buffers adjacent and parallel to the storage area;
unloading a container from a train car;
storing the container in the storage area;
loading the container on one of the strategically positioned buffers in proximity to the storage area, in a substantially unitary step of picking and placing the container on one of the strategically positioned buffers by use of a crane;
lowering the container which is on one of the strategically positioned buffers, on a chassis of a tractor trailer; and
transporting the container away from one of the strategically positioned buffers, with a tractor trailer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
providing the crane with a telescopic bridge structure adapted to receive at least one container in proximity to the bridge structure near an upper section;
providing a sufficiently high horizontal bridge area capable of freely passing over a plurality of stacked containers in the storage area; and
providing a universal finger-lifting support structure adapted to lift and transport containers from at least one of a top, end, sides and bottom.
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5. The method of claim 1 wherein the loading step further includes providing a plurality of buffers strategically positioned adjacent to the storage area opposite the track.
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6. The method of claim 1 wherein the storing step includes providing first and second storage areas on opposite sides of the track.
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7. The method of claim 1 wherein the unloading step includes unloading a plurality of containers from the train car substantially simultaneously.
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8. The method of claim 1 wherein the unloading step includes unloading containers from the train car substantially simultaneously with a plurality of cranes.
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9. A high density narrow-profile storage system, comprising:
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a crane adapted for transporting a container to or from a train car, the crane includes a travel lift;
a narrow-profile storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a train track, the storage yard including a storage area adjacent and parallel to the track and a plurality of strategically positioned buffers adjacent and parallel to the storage area;
a plurality of strategically positioned buffers adapted to receive and at least one of raise and lower a container from or on to a chassis of a tractor trailer; and
a tractor for transporting the container to or from the buffer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification