Railcar-unloading system

Claim 2

In a loading and unloading system for a railway vehicle adapted to travel along a railroad track and having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, with the container being adapted to be loaded and unloaded from an associated loading and unloading dock structure disposed adjacent the railroad track, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and means for operatively supporting said winch means at a location spaced laterally outboard of the vehicle, said last-mentioned means including means on said dock structure providing for adjustable movement of said winch means longitudinally of said railroad track, whereby said flexible member may be connected directly between one end of said container and said winch for pivoting said one end of said container toward said loading or unloading position.

Claim 3

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 which includes stabilizing means for stabilizing the vehicle as the cargo-carrying container is moved between said transit and said loading and unloading positions.

Claim 4

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 2 wherein said stabilizing means includes means interposed between the vehicle and an associated loading or unloading dock structure for stabilizing said vehicle against lateral movement thereof upon relative movement of said container between said transit and said loading or unloading positions.

Claim 5

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises an elongated cable means adapted for engagement at one portion thereof with the container end at another portion thereof with said winch means, whereby actuation of said winch means provides tensioning of said cable means to bias said container between said transit and loading or unloading conditions.

Claim 6

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 4 wherein said container includes fastening means adjacent that laterally outer sides thereof adapted for connection with said cable means, whereby tensioning of said cable means on the opposite sides of said container effects pivotal movement thereof between said transit and loading or unloading positions.

Claim 7

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 4 wherein said winch means includes a rotatable reel and power means for rotating said reel and winding said cable means thereon.

Claim 8

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 which includes skid plate means for supporting said one end of said container upon an associated loading or unloading dock structure as said container is pivoted between said transit and said loading or unloading positions.

Claim 9

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means includes means interposed between the vehicle and said associated loading or unloading dock structure for stabilizing said vehicle against lateral movement thereof upon relative movement of said container between said transit and said loading or unloading positions, and wherein said container includes fastening means adjacent the laterally outer sides thereof adapted for connection with said cable means, whereby tensioning of said cable means on the opposite sides of said container effects pivotal movement thereof between said transit and loading or unloading positions.

Claim 10

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means includes means interposed between the vehicle and said associated loading or unloading dock structure for stabilizing said vehicle against lateral movement thereof upon relative movement of said container between said transit and said loading or unloading positions, and wherein said winch means includes a rotatable reel and power means for rotating said reel and winding said cable means thereon.

Claim 11

A loading and unloading system as defined in claim 1 which includes stabilizing means for stabilizing the vehicle as the cargo-carrying container is moved between said transit and said loading and unloading positions, wherein said stabilizing means includes means interposed between the vehicle and an associated loading or unloading dock structure for stabilizing said vehicle against lateral movement thereof upon relative movement of said container between said transit and said loading or unloading positions, which includes guideway means comprising track means provided on a loading and unloading dock and adapted to support the winch means for longitudinal movement along the vehicle, wherein said container includes fastening means adjacent the laterally outer sides thereof adapted for connection with said cable means, whereby tensioning of said cable means on the opposite sides of said container effects pivotal movement thereof between said transit and loading or unloading positions.

Claim 12

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means movable longitudinally of the vehicle for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle.

Claim 13

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means movable longitudinally of the vehicle for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle.

Claim 14

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supporTed on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means movable longitudinally of the vehicle for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle and comprising track means provided on a loading and unloading dock and adapted to support the winch means for said longitudinal movement along the vehicle.

Claim 15

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supporTed on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means movable longitudinally of the vehicle for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle and comprising track means provided on a loading and unloading dock and adapted to support the winch means for said longitudinal movement along the vehicle.

Claim 16

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading position. stabilizing means for stabilizing the vehicle as the cargo-carrying container is moved between said transit and said loading and unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle.

Claim 17

In a loading and unloading system for a vehicle having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the vehicle to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, winch means for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading position. stabilizing means for stabilizing the vehicle as the cargo-carrying container is moved between said transit and said loading and unloading positions, and guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said vehicle.

Claim 18

In a loading and unloading system for a railroad car having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the car to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and winch means for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, said flexible member comprising an elongated cable means adapted for engagement at one portion thereof with the container end at another portion thereof with said winch means, whereby actuation of said winch means provides tensioning means to bias said container between said transit and loading or unloading conditions, fastening means adjacent the laterally outer sides of said container adapted for connection with said cable means, whereby tensioning of said cable means on the opposite sides of said container effects pivotal movement thereof between said transit and loading or unloading positions, guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said car.

Claim 19

In a loading and unloading system for a railroad car having a flat, generally horizontally extending cargo bed and a cargo-carrying container adapted to be supported on the cargo bed, the improvements comprising, means for supporting the container for pivotal movement relative to the cargo bed about at least one vertical axis, whereby one end of the container may be pivoted between a transit position substantially overlying the cargo bed and at least one loading or unloading position wherein the one end of the container extends outwardly from the car to provide for convenient end loading and unloading thereof, means including an elongated relatively flexible member for moving said one end of said container between said transit and loading or unloading positions, and winch means for selectively tensioning said last-mentioned member, whereby the same will cause said container to be moved between said transit and loading or unloading positions, said flexible member comprising an elongated cable means adapted for engagement at one portion thereof with the container end at another portion thereof with said winch means, whereby actuation of said winch means provides tensioning means to bias said container between said transit and loading or unloading conditions, fastening means adjacent the laterally outer sides of said container adapted for connection with said cable means, whereby tensioning of said cable means on the opposite sides of said container effects pivotal movement thereof between said transit and loading or unloading positions, guideway means for guiding said winch means for longitudinal movement thereof along said car.