CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is a continuation-in-part of my pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/733,789 filed Apr. 11, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/536,298 filed Sep. 28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,761, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/721,300 filed Sep. 28, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This is a simplified version of my above referenced Under-way Vehicle Transfer U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,761 but with a loader for transferring of cargo containers between standing railway cars, trucks, docks and conveyors. The wheels 24 (see FIGS. 35-37) of that, application are not mounted to be turned 90Â° from parallel to the vehicle to steer straight sideways into a standing railway car. Therefore this invention is directed to overcome that shortcoming. That the loader can transfer containers to and from standing railway cars and trucks is most needed and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of this invention is to disperse the concentration of container handling from hub centers to shippers' and consignees' locations, greatly reducing wasting fuel and highway congestion by shipments going by rail directly to destinations, eliminating much wasted intermodal transfer and hauls to and from intermodal yards remote from destinations.

It is an object to provide an underreaching lift loader to roll sideways under a standing railway car or highway truck to align with and transfer cargo containers or pallets between the railway car, trucks, docks or conveyors.

It is therefore an object to provide a fork-type or platform lift vehicle that extends rollers or wheels under a railway car sill and a fork or platform over the sill to lift from or set down a cargo container or platform on the railway car and that can lift its wheels and is sized to travel on a semi trailer or railway car.

It is an object to provide the transfer loader with rotary ring casters with an outer horizontal ring with diametrical axle on which wheels on both sides of center rotate separately, those on one side of center being driven so the casters can be easily pivoted to steer. It is an object to turn and hold the swivel casters to steer all wheels in parallel or selectively those at one or either end held parallel to the vehicle while those at the opposite end are steerable. It is an object to provide parallel all wheel caster steering and with wheel axle axis intercepting the vertical swivel axis to steer in one position of the vehicle. It is an object to provide a low cost loader for existing containers.

It is an object to provide a loader that can be hauled on the railway car underneath the container to enable customers without a loader to borrow the loader from the railroad when receiving a container or needing a loader to load the container onto a railway car and return the loader to the railroad locally, i.e. without shipping the loader long distances.

It is an object to provide stations locally to add the loader under a container or space therefore on a railway car to carry it to a customer to use it for transferring one or more containers at the customer's location.

It is an object to provide a loader to transfer existing cargo 150 contained as is (without modification).

It is a further object to provide the loader as a robot or to be remotely controlled.

It is an object to provide that loader operable on roads.

It is also an object to provide the loader as a toy radio operated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, other and further objects should become evident to those skilled in the art by study of this specification taken with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transfer driveway with flush imbedded railway track with container cars stopped thereon for transfer of containers between the cars, truck, and dock and conveyor.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are respectively plan, side and end views of a transfer loader of FIG. 1 with a railway car and containers partly shown to larger scale.

FIG. 5 is an end view of FIG. 3 with the loader lifted on the railway car.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the near side left corner of FIG. 2 to larger scale.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively elevations taken on lines 7-7 and 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an end elevation of the loader at a dock.

FIG. 10 is a perspective of a loader aligned for transfer with a railway car.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the loader and the car of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a semi-trailer truck to utilize the loader.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively plan and side views of a railway car to work with the loader.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are respectively side, end and bottom views of a double loader for two short or one long container for the car of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a variation of the wheel supports on the loader, FIG. 19 a side view.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are respectively plan and side views of a wheel assembly of FIG. 18 for lengthwise running at larger scale.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are respectively plan and side elevations of a support wheel mounting of FIG. 18 for sideways movement of the loader at a larger scale.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the shift-to-lift wedge of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an end elevation of the loader of FIGS. 18-19 shown lifted on its wheels for sideways movement with relation to sill and dock.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a variation of the loader on a separate shuttle car aligned for transfer of a container on the railway car or truck.

FIG. 27 is a side elevation of the loader on the shuttle car of FIG. 26.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are end elevations of respectively the loader on the shuttle and rolled off of the shuttle and located around the sill of the car for transfer of the container.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of a variation of the loader with improved steering and lift with a portion of its lift platform removed to show the steering lift and frame and a portion of the spline car and container.

FIG. 31 is a side elevation of FIG. 30 with lower portion the cargo container partly in section.

FIG. 32 is an end sectional view taken to line 32-32 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 33 is FIG. 32 with wheels raised.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are respectively plan and side views of a portion of a wheel steering and lift assembly on the loader to large scale.

FIG. 36 is an exploded view of the wheel swivel and lift assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-9, track 14 imbedded flush in drive area 16 has railway container cars 18 (spline cars) stopped thereon for transfer of cargo pallets or containers 20 to and from cars 18, truck 22, and dock 23 by means of transfer loaders 24. Various lengths and widths of containers or pallets can be accommodated on cars 18, trucks 22, loaders 24 and on the dock 23 as indicated by phantom lines.

Spline cars 18 each have an exposed center sill 26 connecting platform beds 28 for supporting ends of containers 20 at a height above sill 26 for a platform or forks 30 of the transfer loader 24 to reach between sill 26 and the bottom of a container whose ends are supported on holding devices 32 corner castings on beds 28 of the car. Outer sides 34 of forks 30 guide (slip fit) between the inner facing faces 36 of platform beds 28 to align a container on its berth on the car with the loader within the car's width limits. Ledges 37 with pins on facing sides of beds 28 support platform 30 and secure it in place from slipping when set thereon.

The transfer loader 24 has a lower frame 38 supported on rollers or wheels 40 to roll on drive area 16 over track 14 and under car sill 26. Two wide diamond jacks 42, one on each end of the loader 24, are connected between the lower frame 38 and the top fork platform 30. The jacks are connected to operate in unison by the screw shaft 43 driven by gear motor 44 to lift and lower platform 30 relative to frame 38 to lift or lower a container on the car and to lift wheels 40 to clear above the track for transport on the car to use by customers to transfer the containers. End rollers 45 on platform 30 or on beds 28 help guide the loader between beds 28. Air bags 46 on top of platforms 30 lift, hold, and lower the container in register for transfer.

The loader's wheels 40 can be mounted in ring casters 47, one supporting each corner of frame 38 to keep down the height of frame 38 to extend under the railway car 18 and be within the height (diameter) of the wheel 40. One or more wheels 40 are mounted to turn separately on each side of center on axle 48 run diametrically across ring 46 of each caster. An electric gearmotor 50 is connected to drive a wheel or wheels 40 on one side of the axle 48 and is supported by the ring so the caster can be powered and easily steered by turning the ring on its center axis. Each ring 46 is supported to turn on its axis in frame 38 between thrust bearings 52 between two horizontal plates 54 and 56 in aligned circular holes in which the caster ring 47 swivels. Rings 46 each have an integral ring gear 60 on its circumference connected by gearing and shafting 62 to steer the casters in parallel. The shafting is in three sections in the run between the rings 46 at opposite ends of the loader. A clutch 66 connects each end of the middle run to each end shaft to connect the shaft ends together for all wheel parallel steering and is disconnected for either end front end steering with remote controls and locking the opposite end steering casters in position with wheels 40 parallel to the vehicle.

The truck 22 is a tractor trailer with an open center sill 26 and end platforms 28 with locators 32 for the ends of containers 20 and ledges 37 similar as on the railway car 18 and at the same height for transfer of the container.

The dock 23 has one or more recesses 70 sized for the carrier to enter to set a container across the facing sides of the recess. The dock end platforms have infloor conveyor runs 72 to carry the container to and from over the recesses and into a warehouse or factory.

Operation

The loader can be run under a container on car 18 the jacks 42 being positioned to clear platform 28 over sill 26 and ledges 37 below the container. When the loader is fully inserted, jacks 42 are lowered (retracted) to lift wheels 40 up off driveway 16 to clear track 14 and clamp the loader on the car by lowering the jacks as far as possible. This can be done at a local railway yard before delivering the container to a customer on rail so when the car is spotted at the customer's location the loader can be used by the customer to unload and reload the car.

After the customer receives the car over a driveway 16 jacks 42 are extended to unlock the loader from the car and lower its wheels 40 to driveway 16 and further extending lifts the container from the car's beds 28 up onto the loader's platform 30 high enough to clear holding devices 32. The loader with container thereon is driven or pulled straight out from the car and steered if necessary. It is moved into a recess 70 in the customer's dock 23 carrying the container over ends of the dock to set it down on the dock 23 or conveyor runs 72, FIGS. 1 and 9.

To load the container on the truck the loader with container is moved straight out from car 18 (no steering needed) to leave room for truck 22 to drive parallel between the car and carrier and align with the loader, FIG. 1. The loader is then pushed or driven straight in between end beds 28 on truck 22 and lowered enough to set the container on the truck and clear its sill 26 before pulling the loader out from under the truck.

To load empty or reloaded containers on waiting cars 18 or trucks 22 the loader with a container 20 is moved all the way in to the sill 26 between beds 28 on the vehicle. Next jacks 42 are retracted to set the container on the vehicle's locators 32 and platform 30 on pins on ledges 37. As the jacks are retracted further, wheels 40 are lifted clear from driveway 16. As the jacks are retracted more and tighten, the loader is clamped between the top and bottom of sill 26 and rests on end shelves 37 on the facing sides 36 of beds 28 and keyed or pocketed thereon to hold alignment and provide secure support for the full width of the loader at both ends for travel on the car or truck. The container can be removed from the car or truck or added from above by other means without disturbing the loader below. The loader can be removed from under a container without disturbing the container. The loader preferably is removed from the car locally if owned by the railroad so as to avoid shipping it a long distance along with the container.

Variations

Similar parts are given the same reference number or a suffix added if modified.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11 the loader can be simplified by eliminating the lift jacks if the wheels can be lifted on frame 38 or transport of the loader on the railroad car is not needed. Air lift bags 46, secured on top of platform 30, are connected to be inflated as one to provide lift sufficient for lifting the container to clear over end beds 28 and locators 32 on car 18 and deflated for setting the container on car 18, trailer 22, dock 23 or conveyer 72. The lower frame 38 and the upper platform 30 can then be one to surround top, bottom and one side of sill 26 between beds 28 between the trucks of the car 18 and the wheels of truck 22. The tops of the air bags engage ribs in the container bottom to hold the container in place on lift platform 30.

The loader need not be motorized (motor 50 omitted) but can be moved about, pushed and pulled by a tractor T, FIG. 1, which can supply auxiliary power or air to steer the loader and lift and lower its jacks and air bags. The loader can be battery operated or by an extension cord and remote controls.

The loader can be built for 20 ft or 40-53 ft existing 150 containers or for larger containers which can go all the way by rail not limited by highway restrictions.

Referring to FIGS. 12-17 car 18 or trailer 22 has an intermediate bed 28 for its three beds 28 to support two 20 ft or one 40-53 ft container. The beds 28 are spaced apart for the loader to enter between adjacent beds 28. The loader 24A has a base frame 38 extending between the trucks of car 18 to engage between a plurality of beds 28 on that car. The lifts 42 or air bags 46 for each berth can be operated separately for the 20 ft containers or simultaneously for the longer loads. The loader can have more ring casters added to its frame 38 as needed to carry the maximum weight expected. All the casters are connected to steer together.

Referring to FIGS. 18-25, loader 18B has wheels 40A mounted spaced apart on the ends of axles 78 and steered by arms and linkage 79 for lengthwise movement of the loader. The loader also has wheels or rollers 40B each mounted on an axle 80 supported between double wedge arms 82 pivot mounted at 84 to frame 54B to lower roller 40B to lift the loader off of wheels 40A to run straight sideways in and out from a vehicle 18, 22, or dock 23. Referring to FIGS. 22-24, a double wedge 86 is mounted in frame 54B to engage both arms 82 to double wedge and to shift straight to the right, FIG. 23, to lower wedge arms 82 for wheels 40B to support the loader and wedge arms 82 to lift when the double wedge slide 86 is shifted back to the left to lift wheels 40B above driveway 16. FIG. 25 shows how much the extension of wheels 40B raises the lift platform 30 relative to the dock or vehicle bed level P high enough to lift load while keeping clear of sill 26. The lift wheels 40B are the sideways running wheels because the liftings and lowerings are made for sideways transfers.

Referring to FIGS. 26-29, loader 24C has the lifting platform 30 mounted on frame 38C to surround top, bottom, and one side of sill 26 of car 18. This loader is supported on several wheels 40B to move sideways. A shuttle car 100 on powered wheels 40A carries the loader lengthwise on driveway 16D along the loading area and steers for road operation. Driveway 16C has a depressed runway 16D for the shuttle car and, a paved area flush along track 14 and extending to and along the top edge of wall 16CD extending down to the runway 16D. The shuttle car has a depressed center platform 104 to carry the loader at the height of the upper trackway 16C. Wheels 40B are arranged in line four in a row at each end of the loader 18C to carry the loader over the gap between the shuttle car platform 104 and the paved track elevation 16C. Air bags 46 on platform 30 are inflated and deflated together to lift and lower a container to clear over car 18 or set the container down on the car. Wheels 40A can be steerable, powered, and mounted in a usual manner and can be larger than wheels 40B because they do not need to fit under still 26.

OperationFor FIGS. 26-29

The transfer shuttle 100 with the transfer loader 24C is stopped when aligned with a car 18 with container for transfer. The transfer loader is sent off to straddle the car sill 26 and align with the container above. The air bags are inflated, lifting the container to clear the car, and the transfer loader is returned to the shuttle with the container which it sets on the shuttle when the air bags 46 are deflated, or left inflated for a short ride on the shuttle. The shuttle takes the loader and container to align a dock 23 where the loader with air bags 46 lifted is run off of the shuttle to carry the container over end platforms of dock 23 or across runs of a plate conveyor at the dock. The air bags are deflated to set the container down on the dock and the loader returned to the shuttle for its next job.

Since first filing for this invention clarification and further improvement follow:

Referring to FIGS. 30-36, vehicles 18 and 22 and container 20 are as described. Loader 24N has an air cushion pillow or pillows 46N secured on its platform 30 to extend up to conform to the bottom ribs of substantially any cargo container to hold it in position on platform 30. Loader 24N has platform 30 secured to its lower frame 38N which extends along one side of platform 30 to clear center sill of car 18 or truck 22 and extends under the sill only a short ways to support wheels 40 in lift levers 82N.

Levers 82N are U-shaped with two parallel sides pivoted at 84 to frame 38N to swing vertically transversely on the loader. The two levers 82N at each end of the loader each have on their facing ends a gear quadrant 96 centered on pivot 84 and in mesh through a lift arc to lift and lower arms 82N equally. Wheels 40 are mounted on axle 48 either on ring casters 47N or directly across the sides of lever 82N to lift and lower wheels 40 equally. Levers 82N half surround wheels 40 to support rings 47N and where they extend under sill 26 are below the height (diameter) of wheels 40. Levers 82N at each end of the loader are lifted and lowered by an air or hydraulic cylinder 100 pivotally connected between frame 38 N and lever 82N directly below, where cylinder 100 can extend up above sill 26.

Each lift lever 82N is supported on a thrust bearing ring hole plate 106 that rests on ring 47N with tapered roller or low friction plastic insert for easy steering and bottom retainer ring 107 to lift wheels 40. Casters 47N each have sprocket teeth 108 around the ring swivel for roller chain 110 connected around a wobble sprocket 112 to turn the caster with the wobble sprocket.

Wobble sprocket 112 has top and bottom inner flanges pressed against a loose central ball 114 to hold the ball in the sprocket. Ball 114 is secured on a vertical shaft 116 that turns in bearings 118 on frame 38N. The center line of shaft 116 intersects the center line of picot 84 within lever 82N. A plate 120 is secured across the sides of lever arm 82N supporting rollers 122 under the wobble sprocket to keep it parallel to the lever arm. This keeps chain 110 connected around the wobble sprocket and caster sprocket 47N in one plane as lever arm 82N lifts and lowers wheel 40. A key pin 124 loose through a hole in sprocket 112 is secured to shaft 116 to turn wobble sprocket 112 with shaft 116.

The two shafts 116 at each end of the loader are connected by roller chain 126 and sprockets 128 to turn wheels 40 at that end in parallel. Chain 126 continues around a redirecting sprocket 130 and a sprocket 132 on the shaft of gearmotor 134 for each end on the loader to steer separately.

A wedge pin 136 for each end lever 82N us extended from hole in frame 38N under lever 82N to hold each lever lifted to hold its wheel or wheels 40 lifted or pin 136 is extended over lever 82N to hold the lever down to support the loader on its wheels. Pins 136 can be inserted manually or by solenoid or air cylinder.

Air bags 46 can remain inflated all the time and levers 82N do all the lifting. The air bags then are air pillows only serving to hold and cushion the container in place on lift platform 30. This is applicable in all embodiments that lift wheels 40.

There need be only one large air bag on the loader platform 30 if tie ropes 140, FIG. 36 are added to connect the top of the air bag to the bottom to limit how high the bag or pillow extends over its full area.

Wheels 40 that run under sill 26 can be smaller than those on the opposite side of the loader as shown in FIG. 30. The two small wheels could take the load of the larger wheel.

Since the loader may be operated over uneven pavement it is desired to provide spring cushioning between the wheels on opposite transverse sides of the loader. Accordingly FIGS. 37 and 38 show one of meshing gear segments 96S between opposite levers 82N connected loose on pivot with a tongue 150 pocketed between springs 152 in the gear segment helmet 96S.

Platforms 30 of all these loaders 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24N can have top end flanges 37N, FIGS. 30 and 31, that clear over beds 28 which when lowered support the loader on the bed of vehicles 18 or 22 to eliminate need for flanges 37 on the vehicles.

Having thus described a few embodiments of my invention, various parts can be substituted for the parts shown, which is intended to be covered by the claims to include all variations and parts which are within the true spirit and scope of this invention.