WO2001010747A1

WO2001010747A1 - Containerised cargo (un)loading

Info

Publication number: WO2001010747A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/002731
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Clive-Smith; Peter William Kendrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-06
Filing date: 2000-07-20
Publication date: 2001-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2002-02-06
Also published as: AU5999800A; GB9918543D0

Abstract

An (un)loading trestle (13), for a cargo carrier, such as a flatrack container (14), has a plurality of upstands (13'), configured for insertion between container chassis members (15, 16, 20), to allow load (18, 19) contact, support, displacement and transfer, upon relative movement of trestle and container, and optionally to create underside load access for, say, lifting tines of a fork lift truck; alternatively a tall trestle variant has an inclined ramp surface, for lateral discharge of a loose rolling load, such as logs or pipes, under its own weight.

Description

Containerised Cargo (Un)loading

In the field of shipping containers, so-called 'flatrac s' comprise a platform base, with upstanding posts.

The posts are normally erected at, or adjacent, each end - although are sometimes set at intermediate positions, such as towards mid-longitudinal span.

The posts generally afford lateral freight or cargo load restraint, and (upward) support for container stacking.

Optional post folding allows compact overall container collapse, for return-empty stacking and transit modes.

Posts may be bridged, at either or both ends, by an infil panel, to form an end wall.

Such end walls may be (re)movable, as gates or doors, for end access, by, say, a pivot mounting about the platform floor, or a support post.

A particular flatrack variant - the subject of UK Patent Application No: 9823535.1 (published under no: GB2330820) - has been developed by one of the Applicants, for dedicated carriage of multiple discrete 'rolling' loads, such as logs, pipes and similar elongate products.

Logs are loaded and discharged in a somewhat 'casual' manner - using grabs mounted upon heavy fork lift trucks, to grasp and withdraw, or release and drop, logs within the restricted flatrack confines.

In GB2330820 the floor of the platform is not raised - as in a conventional flatrack - but set or sunk somewhat below and to bridge between deep-section, longitudinal side rail chassis members, in order to optimise and stabilise overall cargo capacity

In effect, a lower part of a cargo (say, logs) is carried, partly supported and laterally confined, within a chassis recess or well. This base chassis well provides good lateral cargo support and stability (against load shift) for shipping - directly to the lower load layers, and indirectly to the upper load levels - but the attendant chassis structure impedes cargo access.

Thus, for cargo discharge, fork lift tines cannot access underneath the cargo, in order to lift it out.

Whilst containers are of particular interest, the problem - and its resolution according to the present invention - impacts a diversity of cargo or freight carriers.

Statement of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, an (un)loadιng trestle, for a cargo carrier, is configured for co-operative interfit with the carrier, to allow cargo load contact and transfer, upon relative movement of trestle and carrier.

Such an (un)loadιng trestle may be configured for a lattice-frame chassis cargo carrier, such as a (flatrack) container, with a plurality of trestle upstands, disposed in an array over a cargo support area, for co-operative interfit, with carrier chassis frame members, whereby relative movement of trestle and container allows trestle intrusion, from the underside, between chassis frame members, and protrusion from above, and thereby effects load sharing and transfer, for a cargo initially disposed upon the chassis. Conveniently, for sliding/rolling loads, such as logs or pipes, an (un)loadιng trestle has upstands, of depth sufficient to lift a load clear of a container and attendant lateral supports, and with an inclined upper surface profile, to serve as an (un)loadιng ramp, for cargo displaced from a container chassis, and temporarily supported thereby, for lateral (un)loadιng discharge, to one side of the container.

An (un)loadιng trestle may be fitted with supplementary lateral restraints, [such as upright bars,] deployable upon load displacement (elevation), relative to a cargo carrier support, [such as a (flatrack) container,] to preserve lateral load restraint, when (partially) freed of the container confines, and selectively (re)deployable for load discharge.

Another aspect of the invention embraces a cargo carrier, adapted for use with an (un)loadιng trestle, with a plurality of base apertures, for insertion of trestle upstands, as localised load supports, beneath a cargo, whereby relative movement of carrier and trestle, effects cargo load transfer, between carrier and trestle.

Such a cargo carrier may comprise, a flatrack container, with a lattice-frame chassis, configured for co-operative interfit, with an array of multiple discrete trestle upstands. By relieving the container of its load support role preparatory to (un)loadιng, and creating an operating clearance between load and container, the invention thus allows:

access for discharge by fork truck tines; and

• flatrack protection from abuses of fork lift operation, vis cargo and fork lift tine impact.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of (un)loadιng a cargo carrier, such as a (flatrack) container, comprises the steps of: inserting localised trestle supports, from the container underside, between container chassis members, to engage a cargo load resting thereupon, by lowering the chassis and cargo, until cargo is supported on the intervening trestles, to lie clear of the chassis, and create access slots for reception cargo lift members.

Tapered guides may be used to assist alignment between carrier and (un)ioadιng trestle.

A still further aspect of the invention embraces a container, loaded with cargo, in a load configuration, for (un)loadιng, by the load trestle intervention, transfer, support and displacement method. Certain other aspects of the invention variously embrace a load and/or loaded container loaded configured for (un)loadιng by the trestle and carrier interfit method indicated above

Indeed the (un)loadιng method may be reversed in some circumstances for loading Similarly, individual trestle profile and the relative shape and size of multiple trestles in an array can be varied to reflect (un)loadιng objectives, for whole or part-load operation.

Embodiments

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of an (un)loadιng trestle;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the (un)loadιng trestle of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the trestle of Figures 1 and 2, co-operatively interfitted with the loaded lattice-frame chassis of a flatrack container;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the interfitting (un)loadιng trestle and container lattice- frame chassis of Figure 3 - but with the cargo removed, for clarity;

Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the loaded container of Figure 3, with load support upon, laterally inserted, fork lift truck tines;

Figure 6 shows an end elevation (end walls omitted) of a loaded flatrack container of Figure 3, disposed above an (un)loadιng trestle of Figures 1 and 2, and

Figure 7 shows a taller trestle variant of Figures 1 and 2, with a laterally inclined upper ramp surface, aligned with a discharge hopper;

Figure 8 shows a 3-D view of an (un)loaded flatrack, with adjustable lateral restraint posts;

Figure 9 shows a 3-D view of the flat rack of Figure 8, with a mixed load of logs and crates, suspended over an (un)loadιng trestle of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 10 shows a 3-D view of an interfitted flatrack of Figure 9 and (un)loadιng trestle of Figures 1 and 2, with lateral fork lift truck tine insertion for (un)loadιng;

Figure 11 shows a 3-D view of the interfitted flatrack and (un)loadιng trestle of Figure

10, with support and elevation of part of a cargo, bearing upon lift tines;

Figure 12 shows a 3-D view of an interfitted flatrack and (un)loadιng trestle, such as of

Figure 10, with partially-deployed, supplementary lateral load restraints upon a trestle base;

Figure 13 shows a 3-D view of an (un)loadιng trestle variant of Figures 1 and 2, with supplementary lateral restraints, in various stages of deployment;

Figure 14 shows a side elevation of variant trestle profiles,

Figure 15 shows an plan view of variant trestle profiles; and

Figure 16 shows a end elevation of variant trestle profiles

Referring to the drawings ...

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of an (un)loadιng trestle 13, comprising a linear, comb-like, array of individual support beams 13', mounted upon a base slab platform

11 , secured to the ground 12

The base 11 and the multiple individual trestle beams 13' may be of concrete, steel or other robust material

The base 11 and trestle 13' could be integrated, say in a cast concrete structure, reinforced internally with steel bars and with trestle upper edges protected against fragmentation by corner plates

Alternatively, the trestles 13' could be inserted into cast slots in the base mounting platform 11 Figure 2 shows a plan view the Figure 1 elevation - reflecting the rectangular profile of both trestles 13' and base mounting platform 11.

Other trestle variants are depicted in Figures 14 through 16.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the trestles 13' co-operatively interfitted, from below, with a cargo carrier - in this case configured as a flatrack container 14 - resting upon the trestle base 11

The flatrack 14 has a (rectangular) lattice-frame chassis, with opposed longitudinal side rails 15, spaced by transverse end frames 16 and intermediate transverse bracing beams 20.

Generally, cargo load, such as multiple discrete logs 18, rests upon the transverse chassis bracing and support beams 20, within a recess or well formed in conjunction with longitudinal side rails 15.

In this example, a flatrack 14 is loaded with a mixed cargo of logs 18 and crates, or packing cases, 19.

The longitudinal side rails 15 are fitted with upright support posts, or stanchions 17, for lateral cargo restraint - particularly of otherwise loose logs 18

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the flatrack 14, of Figures 1 through 3, with the cargo 18, 19 removed

Multiple, discrete, individual trestle beams 13' are located in (some or all of) the spacing intervals between transverse bracing beams 20

As the flatrack 14 is lowered over the trestle 13 - as depicted in Figure 9 - individual trestle beams 13' pass up between transverse chassis beam supports 20 and engage the underside of the load 18, 19.

In doing so, the beams 13' take a progressively increasing share of the overall load and - given their greater depth than the chassis rails 15, 16, 20 - effectively relieve the chassis load and 'raise' the cargo 18, 19 up above and clear of the chassis With this relative load and chassis displacement, access slots 21 , seen more clearly in Figure 3, arise between the raised cargo 18, 19 and longitudinal side rails 15 of the flatrack 14.

The access slots 21 accommodate lateral insertion of fork lift truck support tines 22 - as depicted in Figures 5, 10 and 11 - ready to take over load 18, 19 support from the trestles 13'.

Once the tines 22 are inserted from the underside, a fork lift top grab 23 can be closed down over the load 18, 19, for overall load capture and restraint, ready for lifting wholesale clear from the trestles 13'

This is particularly advantageous for a loose load, such as a bundle of logs 18, which would otherwise tumble randomly, when freed of the constraints of the flatrack confines.

That said, extending, or variable span, lateral support posts, or stanchions 17, with (telescopically) extendible upper portions 17' - are deployed for final lateral load restraint, before capture and removal, by an (un)ioadιng grabber bucket (not shown).

A supplementary, or alternative, lateral restraint can also be afforded by movable upright supports 24, fitted to the base platform 11 , as depicted in Figures 5, 12 and 13.

A lower pivot mounting, actuators (such as hydraulic rams) and attendant (un)latchιng or detent provision (not shown), enables the base supports 24 to be selectively deployed, upon interaction with the flatrack 14.

For ease of co-operative interfit of a loaded flatrack 14 and trestles 13, opposed lateral 'cell' guides 25, of (lateral and/or longitudinal) tapering profile, can be deployed at the sides of the trestle beams 13' for interaction with the longitudinal chassis beams 15.

If a cargo 18, 19 is particularly tight within the flatrack 14, or has jammed in situ, it is envisaged that the flatrack 14 could be positively pulled down upon the base 11 , by a jack or hydraulic ram (not shown), in order to prise the cargo 18, 19 clear of the transverse support and bracing chassis beams 20 Figure 6 shows an end elevation of the flatrack 14, supported by a overhead suspension sling 26, (from a crane or hoist - not shown), in the course of being lowered upon a trestle 13.

In an alternative (un)loadιng trestle arrangement, shown in Figure 7, tall trestles 27 are deployed to raise cargo - in this case logs 18 - clear above the container lateral restraint stanchions 17.

The upper surfaces 28 of the (tall) trestles 27 are configured as laterally inclined (discharge) ramps.

A (re)movable bridge 29 temporarily spans between the inclined ramps 28 and a hopper 30 - into which the logs 18 are displaced, by rolling under their own weight.

Very rapid discharge of logs 18 can take place in this manner, without need of a fork lift truck 31.

The bridge 29 is (re)moved to allow the flatrack 14 to descend upon the (tall) trestles 27 - for example by a pivot mounting upon a side edge of the hopper 30.

The configurations of the flatrack container, chassis well, lateral restraints and

(un)loadιng trestle, together with the overall (un)loadιng sequence, as relayed above, are more readily appreciated from the 3-D views of Figures 8 through 13, for which corresponding references have been adopted.

Aside from the rectangular profile trestles 13 depicted other configurations may be used - both in elevation and plan.

Similarly, the number, relative spacing, size and disposition of trestles may vary, along with the configuration of the container chassis

Thus, for elongate load elements, trestles may be disposed at intervals along the load length - relying upon the load integrity to dictate behaviour of an entire element by localised contact. Similarly, although a lattice framework container chassis is depicted in Figures 4 and 8, alternative constructions may be employed.

Thus, for example, an otherwise continuous (flat or serrated) panel platform floor, of (thin) sheet material, with local stiffening, could incorporate localised cut-outs, or apertures, for reception of multiple discrete trestle load support elements, such as studs.

A panel deck could be localised, or substitute altogether for open lattice beams.

Alternatively, a mesh deck, with an array of openings may be employed, either locally, or overall.

The (un)loadιng trestles have been depicted upon a common mounting platform - for ease of alignment - but, in principle, multiple discrete trestles could be employed, given proper relative (pre-)alιgnment.

Trestles could be movable, or (inter) changeable, either as stand-alone elements, or upon a common platform, to suit different container flatrack configurations.

Trestles of different - even variable - height or depth could be employed to suit different loads, and attendant load displacement, considerations.

Thus, for example, both shallow tine access and taller ramp displacement trestles could be combined for different load portions.

Whilst for (un)loadιng an entire container, a trestle span equivalent to the container span is convenient, lesser span trestles could be repeatedly used by re-locating different portions of a container upon them

Aside from the inclined lateral ramp variant, the upper profile of the trestles could be adapted to a particular load 'character'

Thus, say, a serrated waveform upper trestle profile could be adopted, in order to preserve positioning of multiple round section load elements, such as logs or pipes Temporary localised load penetration and retention - such as by spikes - could also be contemplated, to preserve load positioning.

The trestles could themselves incorporate slots in the upper nose profiles, to accommodate fork lift tines.

The profiling of the load support trestles could promote either load stabilisation or de- stabi sation, ready for discharge.

Thus an irregular profile could help loosen multiple discrete load elements, such as logs or pipes, which have become progressively more tightly jammed together by the vibrations of transportation.

Conversely, a serrated, scalloped profile could help discipline a lower load layer, to avoid a 'chaotic' discharge - which might in turn lead to an 'incoherent' pile of loose load upon either fork lift tines or in a discharge hopper, impeding ongoing load handling and transfer.

By varying the relative height or depth of successive trestles, load displacement within a container confines could be effected - for example from one end to another.

This could be advantageous if shorter loose load elements were stacked transversely

- and could thus be displaced through an end access gate.

The trestles might also have a role in loading - by, say, insertion and withdrawal to promote relative shuffling and consequent closer internesting of multiple discrete load elements.

Similarly, in the case of tall trestles, a container loading sequence could be envisaged

- in which load elements were initially 'casually' deposited upon the trestles and progressive relative movement of trestle and container (le trestle lowering) allowed load transfer to the container.

This would be the reverse mode to (un)loadιng previously described. Thus, for example, to that end, a 'V'-section trestle top could help provide temporary lateral load restraint and help feed the lower load levels or layers into a container deck recess or well.

Component List

1 1 platform base

12 ground fixture

13 trestles

13' individual trestle beams

14 flat rack

1 5 side rails

16 end frames

17 stanchions

1 8 (log) cargo or freight

1 9 packing case

20 chassis supports 1 access slots 2 fork lift truck tines 3 fork lift top grab 4 trestle base lateral supports 5 lateral 'cell' guides 6 suspension sling 7 (tall) trestle 8 (inclined ramp) trestle top 9 removable bridge

0 ((un)loadιng) hopper 1 fork lift truck

Claims

1. {trestle & cargo carrier}

An (un)loadιng trestle (13), for a cargo carrier (14), configured for co-operative interfit with the carrier, to allow cargo load contact and transfer, upon relative movement of trestle and carrier.

2. {trestle & lattice frame container}

An (un)loadιng trestle (13), as claimed in Claim 1 , configured for a lattice-frame chassis cargo carrier, such as a (flatrack) container (14), with a plurality of trestle upstands (13'), disposed in an array, over a cargo support area, for co-operative interfit, between carrier chassis frame members (15, 16, 20), whereby relative movement of trestle and container allows trestle intrusion, from the underside, between chassis frame members, and protrusion from above, and thereby effects load sharing and transfer, for a cargo (18) initially disposed upon the chassis.

3. {inclined ramp trestle}

An (un)loadιng trestle, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, with upstands of depth sufficient to lift a load clear of a container and attendant lateral supports, and with an inclined upper surface profile, to serve as an (un)loadιng ramp, for cargo displaced from a container chassis, and temporarily supported thereby, for lateral (un)loadιng discharge, to one side of the container.

An (un)loadιng trestle, as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, fitted with supplementary lateral restraints,

[such as upright bars,] deployable upon load displacement (elevation), relative to a cargo carrier support,

[such as a (flatrack) container,] to preserve lateral load restraint, when (partially) freed of the container confines, and selectively (re)deployable for load discharge

5. {trestle of embodiments}

An (un)loadιng trestle, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings

6. {cargo carrier adapted for (un)loadιng trestle}

A cargo carrier (14), adapted for use with an (un)loadιng trestle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with a plurality of base apertures, for insertion of trestle upstands (13'), as localised load supports, beneath a cargo (18), whereby relative movement of carrier and trestle, effects cargo load transfer, between carrier and trestle.

7. {lattice frame chassis container}

A cargo carrier, as claimed in Claim 5, comprising a flatrack container, with a lattice-frame chassis, configured for co-operative interfit, with an array of multiple discrete trestle upstands.

8 {cargo carrier of embodiments}

A cargo carrier, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

9 {cargo carrier (un)loadιng method}

A method of (un)loadιng a cargo carrier, such as a (flatrack) container (14), comprising the steps of: inserting localised trestle supports (13'), from the container underside, between container chassis members (15, 16, 20), to engage a cargo load (18) resting thereupon, by lowering the chassis and cargo, until cargo is supported on the intervening trestles, to e clear of the chassis, and create access slots (21), for reception of cargo lift members (22)

10. {alignment guides}

A cargo carrier (un)loadιng method, as claimed in Claim 8, using tapered guides (25) to assist alignment between carrier and (un)loadιng trestle

11. {cargo carrier (un)loadιng of embodiments}

A cargo carrier (un)loadιng method, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

12. {loaded container}

A container, loaded with cargo, in a load configuration, for (un)loadιng, by the load trestle intervention, transfer, support and displacement method, as claimed in any of Claims 8 through 10.

13. {(un)loaded container}

A container, (un)loaded by load trestle intervention, transfer, support and displacement, of the method claimed in any of Claims 8 through 10

14. {(un)loaded cargo}

A cargo, (un)loaded by load trestle intervention, transfer, support and displacement, of the method claimed in any of Claims 8 through 10.

15. {loading method}

A loading method, using a reversal of the (un)loadιng method, as claimed in any of Claims 8 through 10, comprising the steps of initially depositing a load, upon a (temporary) support trestle, inserted between lattice-frame chassis members, of a cargo carrier, such as a flatrack container, and withdrawing the trestle, progressively through the carrier, to transfer load thereto.

16. {trestle profile}

A loading or (un)loadιng trestle for the (un)loadιng method, of any of Claims 8 through 10, or the loading method of Claim 14, with a profiled support surface, to promote either load retention or displacement.