ES2378979T3 - Intermodal freight transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for the integration of the transport of merchandise by means of the intermodal transport of general merchandise by a transporter (16) adapted to transport motor vehicles with wheels, said method comprising: a. providing one or more wheeled container modules (12) adapted to be transported by said conveyor (16) in the same manner as motor vehicles (28) normally transported by said conveyor (16); b. loading general merchandise into said wheeled container modules (12) at a starting point (14); c. moving loaded wheeled container modules (12) on said conveyor (16) in basically the same way that motor vehicles (28) are loaded on it; d. transporting said container modules (12) by said conveyor (16) to a final operating point (18); and e. unloading said container modules (12) for the use of the general merchandise contained therein characterized in that the container modules (12) consist of a platform (30), the upper surface of said platform (30) being contained by a cover foldable comprising a front and a rear end wall (42), an upper part (44) and a pair of side walls (46), whose walls (42, 44, 46) cooperate with the platform (30) to define the area for loading the container modules (12), the method including the step of folding said folding cover to stack or store the container modules (12) by rolling or folding the side walls (42) against the lower side of the upper wall ( 44) and rotating a side wall (46) on the surface of the platform (30) thereby causing the top wall (44) and the folded or rolled end walls (42) to lie vertically against the upright side wall (46) , being g The said upright side wall (46) is then pulled into a horizontal position on the first side wall (46) with the top wall (44) and the end walls (42) sandwiched between the side walls (46).

Description

Intermodal freight transport system

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a merchandise distribution system, and more particularly to an intermodal transportation system that uses a single module for intermodal transportation of goods, including transportation by ship, train, or road.

Background of the Invention

In the shipment of goods, it is common for the goods to be transported by different means of transport from the point of shipment to their destination. Thus, goods often travel by ship for part of their journey, transfer to a train for part of the journey, and finally transfer to a truck for delivery to their destination. Each change in mode of transportation presents certain problems, not the least of which is the time required to move the goods to a different mode of transportation, such as a wagon and / or truck or a truck to a train or a ship. As a partial solution to this problem, the development of containerized shipping enables individual shippers to load a container at the point of origin, typically the factory, which will then be loaded onto a truck, train, or ship-to-ship trailer. The popularity of container shipping has grown to the point that there are currently operational ships designed solely for the transport of containers. Similarly, vehicles, such as passenger cars, vans, vans, and the like, are transported from assembly plants to distribution points where they are shipped back to dealers. Vehicles are normally shipped on carriers that are specially adapted to transport vehicles. Therefore, for example, whenever possible, vehicles are transported more economically by water, typically using boats that are specially adapted for vehicle transport. Vehicles are unloaded from the ship, typically in wagons or vehicle trailers for shipment to various distribution points and can be recharged again for shipment to dealers.

Although these modes of transport are somewhat efficient, both containers and vehicle transporters must often return empty to their point of origin. Sometimes empty containers get piled up at one port which can create a shortage of containers at points of origin while creating storage problems at destination ports. In addition, shipping empty containers to the point of origin increases the cost of shipping products. Likewise, vehicle transporters, whether by ship, train or truck, normally return empty to their points of origin. Vehicle transporters have been calculated to be empty 48% of the time. The cost of the return of the empty containers and the transporters of empty vehicles is borne by the customer of the shipment, and ultimately the consumer, increasing the cost of the goods.

Vehicle transporters are not adapted to transport general merchandise, such as, for example, auto parts back to the assembly plant or a mixed load of vehicles and general merchandise. During periods of slow business cycles in the automotive industry, vehicle transporters are hardly used or not used at all, resulting in substantial costs for transport companies and job losses. All these factors produce a cost for the consignor that translates into higher prices for the consumer at the dealer when purchasing a vehicle. Also, the containers, which are relatively large, are not suitable for transport by vehicle transporters. Vehicle transporters are relatively easy to load and unload while containers are more difficult to load and unload. For example, a container ship may require five to six days to unload, while a ship that is adapted to carry vehicles can be unloaded in a much shorter period of time.

Various systems for intermodal transportation systems have been suggested in the prior art, for example, US Patent 5,017,064 describes an intermodal transportation system designed for use in towing semi-trailers by means of rail cars. However, this system requires a turntable design and spring damping to allow efficient loading and unloading of semi-trailers into the wagons.

In yet another intermodal transportation system, U.S. Patent 6,123,029 also relates to a transportation system that combines rail and ground transportation technology for the transportation of passengers and goods. Basically, this system integrates a road truck transmission system in motor vehicles suitable for pulling containers of passenger cars and road-type trailers on rails.

Another system is described in US Patent 5,107,772 that uses a train carriage that incorporates a platform and a tail swing arm adapted to connect directly to truck trailers. The platform is raised by a pneumatic system integrated into the wagon to couple it to the bottom of the trailer.

The above systems require the use of additional equipment in order to adapt the truck trailer for use in a railway environment. These systems do not refer to the most effective use of vehicle transporters and these systems also do not refer to a system for more efficient loading of products on a transporter.

The system described in US Patent 3,612,568 refers to a cargo container adapted to receive automotive drag cars in which the container has a removable top portion for transporting cargo. Said container occupies the space normally used by an automobile and, therefore, can be used to use the unused space on the return transport trips. This system still requires the use of additional equipment in order to adapt the truck trailer for use in a railway environment. Furthermore, this system can only be used from a starting point to a final destination point, since the system does not foresee any intermediate operating point. In addition, cargo containers are stored in various parts of the country by land or rail transport lines; therefore, empty containers are piled up at certain points. This leads to a shortage of containers at specific points while also creating a storage problem at the points where the containers are piling up.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for fully utilizing vehicle transporters to transport general goods as well as vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for reducing "no-go" travel of the vehicle transporter.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system for integrating the shipment of vehicles and general merchandise on the same transporter.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system that reduces shipping costs.

The foregoing objects and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the method for the integration of freight transport as claimed by claims 1 to 10 and a corresponding container module as claimed by claims 11 and 12.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a system for integrating the transportation of goods from the producers' workplace to the goods carrier, including any intermediate carriers. Therefore, the system of the invention allows a producer to load a module on the job site, grind the module directly from the job site to a suitable transporter, such as a vehicle transporter, for example, that can transport the module to a terminal station or dock to load a freight rail and / or a ship. It is within the scope of the invention to apply the system described herein also to an aircraft. Although the system of the present invention can be used with general freight transporters, such as, for example, with conventional truck trailers, conventional freight cars, and conventional cargo ships, the system is particularly advantageous and more effective when used in conjunction with vehicle transporters.

The present system adapts vehicle transporters to transport general merchandise using a portable module that is adapted for transport by the vehicle transporter in substantially the same way as a vehicle to transport general merchandise. As mentioned, the system of the invention is applicable both to railway vehicle transporters and ships specially adapted to transport vehicles, as well as to road vehicle transporters. The base of the module is substantially the same length and width as motor vehicles normally transported by the vehicle transporter and is provided with at least one set of wheels for portability and to allow the module to be loaded onto a vehicle transporter by moving the container module on the conveyor with a suitable tractor. The vehicle transporter can transport as many container modules as vehicles can transport. For example, the combined cargo space of a fully loaded road vehicle transporter with container modules is equivalent to a semi-trailer.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a vehicle transporter delivers vehicles to a distribution point or a dealer and can then be reloaded with modules containing general goods for the journey back to the assembly plant. Such general merchandise may comprise parts used in the assembly of vehicles or merchandise to be delivered at a point in the vicinity of the assembly plant. In this way, the vehicle transporter is used to transport a payload on its return journey.

In another aspect of the invention, the system can be used to deliver parts from a parts distribution point to an assembly plant and make a return trip transporting assembled vehicles at the factory.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the vehicle transporter carries a mixed load of vehicles and modules containing general merchandise. Therefore, both vehicles and parts can be transported from the factory on a single vehicle transporter.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the module used in the system serves as a shipping platform and, as such, can be located in the manufacturing facility for loading directly at the point of manufacture. Once loaded, the module can then be integrated into the system for shipping products.

Even in the best circumstances it may still be necessary to send empty modules to a charging point. The modules used in the present system are foldable, so that when they are empty and folded, four modules can be stacked in the space occupied by an unfolded module.

The system of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the intermodal transportation system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a vehicle transporter loaded with vehicles and with container modules with wheels according to the invention; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a wheeled container module; Figure 4A is a final elevation view of the container module of Figure 3; Figure 4B illustrates the container module of Figure 4A with the cover partially folded; Figure 4C illustrates the container module of Figure 4A with the cover fully folded.

Description of the preferred embodiment

The system will be described in this document with respect to a manufacturer's or parts warehouse into which general merchandise, such as, for example, automobile engines, mats, or similar automobile components, is shipped to a mounting point or destination in the vicinity of the assembly plant using the motor vehicle transporter that would normally be empty on the return trip.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the intermodal transportation system begins with the loading of a container module 12 at an initial point 14, which for purposes of description will be an automobile component manufacturing facility. Container module 12 can be located in the facility at the point where the finished product leaves the manufacturing line so that the product can be loaded directly into the container. Container module 12 may have removable sides and top for easy loading.

In the second phase of the system, the wheeled container module 12 is moved to a conveyor 16 that is adapted to transport vehicles. The term "adapted to transport motor vehicles" means that the transporter 16, be it a tractor / trailer, wagon or boat, is provided with rails on which the motor vehicles being transported are driven to load and load the transporter 16 Typically, conveyors 16 are adapted to transport more than one level of vehicles. Although such conveyors 16 are normally initially built for this purpose, it will be understood that conventional wagons, boats and trailers can be modified by providing the rails and ramps necessary to adapt them to the transport of motor vehicles.

In the third phase, the container modules 12 are unloaded at an operating point 18 which may be an end operating point, which is the final destination of the load, or at an intermediate operating point to reload differently. vehicle transport.

According to the invention, the dimensions of the container module 12 are basically the same as those of passenger cars and small trucks so that the container can be transported by means of transport adapted to transport said vehicles. In this way, the vehicle transport means, that is, the transport of road, train and ship vehicles, can be used to transport other types of cargo and, in this way, many empty routes are avoided. The conveyor 16 illustrated in the second phase of the intermodal transport method is a road trailer that transports the container modules 12 loaded with the product from the initial point 14 to the operating point 18. However, it will be understood that in the second phase Container modules 12 can be loaded directly onto wagons 24, as illustrated in Figure 1, or directly onto a ship 22 for transportation to an overseas operating point. An aircraft can also be adapted to carry vehicles in the event that its ability to carry normal cargo may be decreased or lost entirely. The present invention provides a system that easily converts aircraft configured to carry vehicles into general cargo aircraft.

As used in this document, the expressions "start point" and "operation point" are respectively used to denote a source from which and a destination to which the modular containers are shipped. For example, start point 14 will often be a parts manufacturing facility or parts warehouse from which the parts are to be shipped. The final operating point 18 may be another manufacturing site or an assembly plant that uses the parts transported in the modular containers from the starting point. An intermediate operating point 18 is a transfer point, such as a terminal station or a port where modular containers are transferred to a different transport. In figure 1 the initial point 14 is illustrated by the schematic representation of the container module. The final operating point 18 is represented by a schematic representation of a factory 20. An intermediate operating point 18 is a transfer point, such as a port, represented by a ship 22 or a terminal station, represented by a wagon 24, in which the container modules 12 are transferred to a ship adapted for the transport of automobiles or to wagons adapted to transport vehicles with wheels. An intermediate operating point 18 also includes a transfer point where container modules 12 are transferred between carriers of the same type, such as, for example, from a tractor / trailer 16 to another tractor / trailer.

Figure 2 shows a typical road vehicle tractor / trailer 26. As shown, the tractor / trailer, generally shown as 26, is only partially loaded with vehicles 28 and in these circumstances the tractor / trailer 26 will transport Ordinarily a partial load of vehicles 28 will return empty to the vehicle collection point. However, as illustrated, the upper section of the trailer and the upper part of the cabin section of the transport container modules 12 adapted for transport by a vehicle transporter containing loose goods that cannot normally be transported by the tractor. / trailer 26. According to the invention, a vehicle transporter such as tractor / trailer 26 can deliver the vehicles and instead of making the return trip empty it can be loaded with wheeled container modules 12 and transport goods in the return trip. The cost of transport vehicles can be reduced substantially.

Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A-C, the wheeled container module 12 basically consists of a platform 30 on which the merchandise is placed. Platform 30 is supported by a truck comprising a support platform 34, a pair of wheels 36 and a downwardly extending support leg 38. The dimension of the container module 12 is substantially the same length and width as that of a passenger car or van and is provided with at least one set of wheels 36 for its portability and to allow the module to be loaded on a vehicle transporter, such as a tractor / trailer 26 by pushing or towing the module on the transporter with a suitable tug. The support leg 38 can be rotatably attached to the underside of the support form 34 for folding against the underside of the support platform to allow stacking and storage of the container module. The lateral space between the wheels 36 of the container module 12 is substantially equal to the lateral distance between the wheels of a passenger car, SUV or light truck so that the container module 12 can easily roll on and off the support rails. of the vehicle transporter during loading and unloading of the container module 12 on the transporter 16. Loading and unloading is facilitated by the use of a tug or a forklift truck for the time normally found in industrial areas. A tow pin 32 is provided to attach a tug or tractor to the container module 12.

As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4A, the upper surface of platform 30 is preferably enclosed by a collapsible cover comprising front and rear end walls 42, a top 44 and a pair of side walls 46 cooperating with the platform 30 to define the loading area of the container module 12. The side walls 46 are reinforced with ribs 48 which are rotatably mounted on the platform 30 to fold platform 30 to a horizontal position. Suitable locking means are provided for lock the ribs 48 in their straight position and to unlock the ribs 48 for folding. The cover is formed of a flexible material, preferably two layers of canvas with a flexible reinforcing mesh arranged between the layers of material. Flexible materials of this type are well known in the art and do not per se form part of the invention.

The collapsible cover can be folded for stacking or storage of container module 12 by winding or folding end walls 42 against the underside of top 44. A side wall 46 is rotated on the surface of platform 30 causing the top 44 and folded or rolled end walls 42 lie vertically against upright side wall 46 (FIG. 4B). The upright side wall 46 is then rotated to a horizontal position on the first side wall with the top 44 and end walls 42 sandwiched between the side walls. The cover unfolds in the opposite way. Support leg 38 can also be rotated up against the underside of the container module truck. When folded in this way, 4 or 5 container modules 12 can be stacked in the space occupied by a passenger car, thereby allowing multiple modules to be shipped on a vehicle carrier 16 when it returns empty to a starting point 14 for recharge.

Although it is preferred that the container module cover 12 can be folded to facilitate shipping and storage, it will be understood that other types of covers may be preferred for certain types of goods. For example, the cover can be vacuum formed to define a non-collapsible container that provides additional protection against minor impacts, weather conditions, and the like that may occur during shipping. The container can also be formed by mounting panels to define the top wall, the ends and the sides of the container, and the panels can be removed and removed from the platform 30 to stack the container module 12 for shipping or storage.

In practice, the intermodal system of the invention is designed for the transfer of merchandise from an initial point 14 where the merchandise originates to an operating point 18 that is the destination of the merchandise, using vehicle transporters as the means of transport of the merchandise. It will be apparent that the system is particularly designed for efficient transfer between various vehicle transporters on the route to the point of operation. For example, one or more container modules 12 are loaded with auto parts, such as auto engines, at the starting point, an engine manufacturing facility for shipment to an operating point, an auto assembly plant. Using a suitable tug, the loaded container modules 12 are moved to a vehicle transporter 16, such as a road vehicle transporter or a wagon adapted to transport vehicles. Typically, vehicle transporters will deliver vehicles to dealers or distribution points in the local area and would otherwise return empty to a vehicle distribution point or vehicle assembly plant. By means of the intermodal system, the vehicle transporter 16 is reloaded with container modules 12 for sending automobile engines back to the assembly plant, thus avoiding "going without load", which substantially increases the delivery cost of vehicles. In this example, the automobile assembly plant is located in a foreign area and the container modules 12 are shipped to a destination port for loading on a ship that has delivered the vehicles. Therefore, the ship is used to deliver parts to the assembly plant for mounting on vehicles that are shipped back to port. It is evident that avoiding having to return the empty ship to recharge with vehicles substantially reduces the cost of delivering the vehicles to the destination port. Furthermore, the time used to unload and reload the ship with container modules 12 substantially reduces the days required to unload a container ship from five to six.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various arrangements will appear to those skilled in the art that are within the spirit and scope of the invention other than those described in detail in the specification. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention is not limited solely to the claims attached thereto.

Having defined the invention, I claim:

Claims (12)

1. A method for the integration of the transport of merchandise by means of the intermodal transport of general merchandise by a transporter (16) adapted to transport motor vehicles with wheels, said method comprising:

to.

 providing one or more wheeled container modules (12) adapted to be transported by said conveyor (16) in the same manner as motor vehicles (28) normally transported by said conveyor (16);

b.

 loading general merchandise into said wheeled container modules (12) at a starting point (14);

c.

moving loaded wheeled container modules (12) on said conveyor (16) in basically the same way that motor vehicles (28) are loaded on it;

d.

 transporting said container modules (12) by said conveyor (16) to a final operating point (18); and

and.

 unloading said container modules (12) for the use of the general merchandise contained therein

 characterized in that the container modules (12) consist of a platform (30), the upper surface of said platform (30) being contained by a folding cover comprising a front and a rear end wall (42), an upper part (44) and a pair of side walls (46), whose walls (42, 44, 46) cooperate with the platform (30) to define the loading area of the container modules (12), the method including the step of folding said folding cover for stacking or storing the container modules (12) by winding or folding the side walls (42) against the underside of the top wall (44) and rotating a side wall (46) on the surface of the platform (30) thereby causing the top wall (44) and the folded or rolled end walls (42) to lie vertically against the upright side wall (46), said upright side wall (46) then being rotated in a horizontal position on the first side wall (46) with the upper wall (44) and the end walls (42) sandwiched between the side walls (46).

2.

A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further includes the step of transporting said container modules (12) to one or more intermediate operating points (18) prior to said final operating point (18).

3.

A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said intermediate operating point (18) is a transfer point for transferring said container modules (12) from a first transport to a second transport.

Four.

A method according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first transport and said second transport are particularly adapted to carry motor vehicles (28) and are transporters (16) of the type consisting of road transporters (26 ), wagons (24) and ships (22) and said first transport is a different type than said second transport.

5.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor

(16)

 has delivered motor vehicles (28) at a delivery point and will normally return empty to its origin for the collection of motor vehicles (28), said transporter (16) receiving one or more container modules (12) at an initial point (14) near the delivery point for the transport of general merchandise to an operating point

(18)

 close to the origin, thereby eliminating a no-load return trip.

6.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the origin of the conveyor (16) is a vehicle assembly plant and the starting point (14) of the container modules (12) is a parts manufacturing site used by the vehicle assembly plant.

7.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the motor vehicles (28) are delivered from an assembly plant to the port of origin for their transport by ship (22) to a port of destination, in said port destination said motor vehicles (28) are unloaded from said ship (22) in a land transporter (16) adapted to transport motor vehicles (28), said land transporter (16) being selected from the group consisting of wagons (24 ), tractors / trailers (26) and combinations thereof for transportation to a delivery point at or near a starting point (14), moving said ground transporter (16) to said starting point (14) to receive the modules container (12) loaded with general merchandise for shipment to the destination port, transferring said container modules (12) onto said ship (22) for transportation to the port of origin through which both said ship (22) and said conveyor terre stre (16) transport goods on the return trip.

8.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said module of

container (12) comprises a platform (30) for transporting goods, a truck that supports said platform, said truck comprising a support platform (34) and at least one pair of wheels (36) fixed to it, the lateral space between the wheels (36) of said pair substantially equal to the lateral distance between the wheels of a passenger car, SUV or light truck so that the container module (12) can roll easily on and from the support rails of the transporter of vehicles (16) during loading and unloading of the container module (12).

9.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container module (12) further includes a cover for containing said platform (30).

10.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cover is foldable to lie on said platform (30) to stack said container module (12) for shipping or storage.

eleven.

A container module (12) for shipping general goods on a conveyor (16) configured to transport motor vehicles (28), said container module (12) comprising a platform (30) for transporting goods, a truck that holds said platform (30), said truck comprising a support platform (34) and at least one pair of wheels (36) fixed thereto, the lateral space between the wheels (36) of said pair being substantially equal to the lateral distance between the wheels of a motor vehicle

(28)

transported by said conveyor (16) so that said container module (12) can easily roll on and off the support rails of said conveyor (16) during loading and unloading of the container module

(12)

characterized in that the container module (12) additionally comprises a folding cover that encloses said platform (30), whose folding cover comprises a front end wall and a rear end wall (42), an upper part (44) and a pair of walls sides (46), whose walls (42, 44, 46) cooperate with the platform (30) to define the loading area of the container modules (12), and whose folding cover folds to stack or store the container modules (12) by winding or folding the end walls (42) against the underside of the top wall (44) and rotating a side wall (46) on the surface of the platform (30) thereby causing the top wall

(44)

 and the final or folded or rolled walls (42) lie vertically against the upright side wall (46), said upright side wall (46) then being rotated in a horizontal position on the first side wall

(46)

 with the upper wall (44) and the end walls (42) sandwiched between the side walls (46).

12. A container module according to claim 11, wherein the folding cover is formed of a flexible material and the side walls (46) thereof reinforced by normally vertically straight ribs which are rotatably mounted on said platform (30) to rotate in a horizontal position on said platform (30) whereby said cover is folded by folding said end walls (42) against said upper wall (44), rotating the straight ribs of a first of said side walls (46 ) to rotate said first side wall (46) in a horizontal position on said platform (30) and to cause said upper wall (44) and the folded end walls (42) to lie vertically against said other upright side wall (46) and rotating the ribs of said other side wall (46) in a horizontal position on said first side wall (46) with said upper wall (44) and the end walls (42) sandwiched between them.