US3591023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanically programmable marine transport cargo handling and stowage system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed system is applicable to towed or powered cargo vessels. Central to one of its three distinct cargo handling phases, the system features an open staging deck on the vessel to and from which cargo is moved by way of a ramp that can be lowered directly to the beach. Practical vessel design and ramp length permitting the vessel to remain afloat during such cargo transfers are achievable with special beach grades, variable ballasting of the vessel and adjustable slope of its loading ramp. Sidewise cargo transfer at a dock is also permitted, as are transship transfer operations by the same vessel. Central to a second of the three cargo-handling phases is an overarching three-directional crane-moving individual cargo units successively between the staging deck and elongated cargo stowage cells. The cells are arranged in tiers and extend longitudinally of the vessel with entrance ends preferably in a common vertical crane transfer plane adjacent to the staging deck. The cargo cells have individual conveyors, which function in the third of the three cargo-handling phases to move the inserted cargo units between successive stowed positions along the cells and crane transfer position at the cell entrances. With the total sequence of handling operations thus divided into these three phases and programmed large numbers of cargo units may be loaded and unloaded in a short time. Moreover rearranging of cargo units within or between cells while en route for convenience in subsequent transfer operations between the vessel and the shore or for transshipping is also readily achieved. Also disclosed are cargo unit shuttle conveyors featuring line-controlled cam bar mechanisms driven and controlled from the cell ends through lines to raise, lower and move individual cargo units in the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:28
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B27/00; B63B27/14; B63B27/143; B63B25/00; B63B25/002; B63B25/004; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a marine transport vessel, a cargo-handling and stowage system comprising means providing an open loading and unloading deck on the vessel located remotely from one end thereof, a three-way cargo crane mounted on the vessel to operate over said deck, means adapted for loading and unloading of cargo units on and from said deck, a plurality of elongated cargo storage cells having entrance ends confrontally adjacent to said deck and extending therefrom longitudinally of the vessel toward said one end thereof, certain of said cells being at different levels on the vessel, and cargo unit conveyor means in at least certain of said cells operable to move cargo units lengthwise in the cells to and from successive stored positions therein, said conveyor means being operatively related to the crane so as to permit transfer of cargo units by the crane between said deck and said conveyor means through the respective entrance ends of said cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a marine transport vessel, a cargo-handling and stowage system comprising means providing an open loading and unloading deck on the vessel located remotely from one end thereof, a three-way cargo crane mounted on the vessel to operate over said deck, means adapted for loading and unloading of cargo units on and from said deck, a plurality of elongated cargo storage cells having entrance ends confrontally adjacent to said deck and extending therefrom longitudinally of the vessel toward said one end thereof, certain of said cells being at different levels on the vessel, and cargo unit conveyor means in at least certain of said cells operable to move cargo units lengthwise in the cells to and from successive stored positions therein, said conveyor means being operatively related to the crane so as to permit transfer of cargo units by the crane between said deck and said conveyor means through the respective entrance ends of said cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein said deck is located at the other end of the vessel and the means for loading and unloading comprises a ramp mounted on said other end of the vessel contiguous to said deck, said ramp being movable between a retracted position with the vessel in transit and a projected position for engaging a landing so as to permit movement of cargo vehicles to and from said deck over said ramp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system defined in claim 2, wherein the three-way crane comprises a cargo unit-lifting carriage and a carriage-supporting and moving structure, comprising tracks for the carriage, said structure transversely overarching the deck, so as to dispose said tracks across the entrance ends of said cells whereby the carriage may be moved into and from cargo transfer alignment with any of selected cells, and means operatively associated with said carriage to transfer cargo units thereby to and from individual cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system defined in claim 3, wherein the end of the vessel carrying the ramp is of shallow-draft form and the ramp projects endwise therefrom to such length as to permit loading and unloading directly on a sloping beach, said ramp being hingedly mounted on the vessel to permit swinging of the ramp about a transverse axis to different selected elevation angles accommodating contour of the beach.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined in claim 4, further including means operable to ballast the vessel to vary its trim angle fore and aft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system defined in claim 4, wherein the cells are arranged in tiers superimposed one over another, each tier comprising a plurality of cells arranged in successively adjacent positions across the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system defined in claim 3, wherein the conveyor means in at least certain cells comprises an endless conveyor operable to move cargo units in any of such cells conjointly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system defined in claim 3, wherein the cells have stationary cargo-supporting means extending the length thereof, the conveyor means in at least certain cells comprising a shuttle carriage operable to lift an individual cargo unit from said supporting means and guided to move the lifted cargo unit along the cell between the cell entrance and a selected in-cell storage position spaced therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system defined in claim 8, wherein the last-mentioned conveyor means comprise actuator lines extending from the shuttle carriage lengthwise of the respective cells to drive means at opposite ends of the cells, and jack elements on such shuttle carriage controlled by such drive means through such lines to first lift a cargo unit, then move it lengthwise of the cell to a selected position, then lower the cargo unit to said supporting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system defined in claim 9, wherein the shuttle carriage comprises a base guided to move in a plane lengthwise of the cell, a cargo unit support platform carried by the base and permitted limited elevating movement above the base, and jacking elements controlled by said lines and interposed between the base and support platform to raise and lower such platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system defined in claim 10, wherein the lines comprise drive cables, the jacking elements comprise a plurality of rotary-camming devices to which the respective cables are connected at eccentric positions thereon and the drive means comprise powered drums for driving of the cables and for controlling tension therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the cells have stationary cargo-supporting means extending the length thereof, the conveyor means in at least certain cells comprising a shuttle carriage operable to lift an individual cargo unit from said supporting means and guided to move the lifted cargo unit along the cell between the cell entrance and a selected in-cell storage position spaced therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system defined in claim 12, wherein the last-mentioned conveyor means comprise actuator lines extending from the shuttle carriage lengthwise of the respective cells to drive means at opposite ends of the cells, and jack elements on such shuttle carriage controlled by such drive means through such lines to first lift a cargo unit, then move it lengthwise of the cell to a selected position, then lower the cargo unit to said supporting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system defined in claim 13, wherein the shuttle carriage comprises a base guided to move in a plane lengthwise of the cell, a cargo unit support platform caRried by the base and permitted limited elevating movement above the base, and jacking elements controlled by said lines and interposed between the base and support platform to raise and lower such platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system defined in claim 14, wherein the lines comprise drive cables, the jacking elements comprise a plurality of rotary camming devices to which the respective cables are connected at eccentric positions thereon and the drive means comprise powered drums for driving of the cables and for controlling tension therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the conveyor means in at least certain cells comprises an endless conveyor operable to move cargo units in any of such cells conjointly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system defined in claim 3, wherein the crane comprises means to raise and lower the tracks, and wherein the cargo carriage comprises releasable cargo-engaging means engageable with a cargo unit above the bottom thereof to lift the same when the carriage tracks are raised, said cargo-engaging means being extensible longitudinally of the vessel into and from a cell entrance, and including means permitting limited downward movement of the cargo unit thereby for depositing the cargo unit in the cell upon insertion therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system defined in claim 17, wherein the cells have parallel longitudinal tracks and the crane carriage has corresponding tracks alignable with the cell tracks and a track-supported car supporting said cargo-engaging means and movable back and forth from one set of tracks to the other for insertion and removal of a cargo unit in a cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the three-way crane comprises a cargo unit lifting carriage and a carriage supporting and moving structure, comprising tracks for the carriage, said structure transversely overarching the deck, so as to dispose said tracks across the entrance ends of said cells whereby the carriage may be moved into and from cargo transfer alignment with any of selected cells, and means operatively associated with said carriage to transfer cargo units thereby to and from individual cells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system defined in claim 19, wherein the crane comprises means to raise and lower the tracks, and wherein the crane carriage comprises releasable cargo-engaging means engageable with a cargo unit above the bottom thereof to lift the same when the tracks are raised, said means being extensible longitudinally from the carriage into and from a cell entrance without moving the tracks longitudinally of the vessel, and including means permitting limited downward movement of the cargo unit thereby without depressing the tracks for depositing the cargo unit in the cell upon insertion therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system defined in claim 2, wherein the vessel comprises a cargo storage deck underlying certain of said cells at a level substantially flush with the loading and unloading deck, and comprising at least one elongated cargo unit conveyor means operable to move cargo units lengthwise of the vessel to and from successive stored positions on said storage deck.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system defined in claim 21, wherein the conveyor means last mentioned comprises endless cargo-supporting conveyor means extending from the storage deck at least partially over the length of the loading and unloading deck to form a part thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
192 words
A cargo vessel having a loading ramp hingedly mounted on one end of the vessel with means to raise and lower the ramp to different slope angles, projecting endwise beyond the vessel, said vessel having a hull configuration permitting direct landings over the ramp on tidal beaches having a grade slope of the order of 14 1/2 percent at points above an intermediate tide level and a steeper grade below such level, a plurality of elongated cargo stowage cells each with longitudinal conveyor means therein extending lengthwise of the vessel at different levels therein from respective receiving ends opening toward the ramped end of the vessel, and cargo transfer means positionEd on the vessel and operable to transfer cargo units to and from selected cells, the vessel having means thereon affording staging area accessible to said transfer means and upon which cargo units received from the shore or another vessel may be deposited in loading and upon which cargo units may be deposited which are transferred from the cells by said transfer means in unloading of the vessel and in shuffling cargo in and between cells by way of said transfer means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
192 words
A cargo vessel having a loading ramp hingedly mounted on one end of the vessel with means to raise and lower the ramp to different slope angles, projecting endwise beyond the vessel, said vessel having a hull configuration permitting direct landings over the ramp on tidal beaches having a grade slope of the order of 14 1/2 percent at points above an intermediate tide level and a steeper grade below such level, a plurality of elongated cargo stowage cells each with longitudinal conveyor means therein extending lengthwise of the vessel at different levels therein from respective receiving ends opening toward the ramped end of the vessel, and cargo transfer means positionEd on the vessel and operable to transfer cargo units to and from selected cells, the vessel having means thereon affording staging area accessible to said transfer means and upon which cargo units received from the shore or another vessel may be deposited in loading and upon which cargo units may be deposited which are transferred from the cells by said transfer means in unloading of the vessel and in shuffling cargo in and between cells by way of said transfer means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system defined in claim 23, further including means operable to ballast the vessel so as to vary its trim angle fore and aft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system defined in claim 23, wherein the cells have stationary cargo-supporting means extending the length thereof, the conveyor means in at least certain cells comprising a shuttle carriage operable to lift an individual cargo unit from said supporting means and guided to move the lifted cargo unit along the cell between the cell entrance and a selected in-cell storage position spaced therefrom.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
87 words
The vessel defined in claim 23, wherein the cargo transfer means comprises a three-way crane including a cargo unit lifting carriage and a carriage supporting and moving structure, comprising tracks for the carriage, said structure transversely overarching the staging area, so as to dispose said tracks across the entrance ends of said cells whereby the carriage may be moved into and from cargo transfer alignment with any of selected cells, and means operatively associated with said carriage to transfer cargo units thereby to and from individual cells.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a beach-landing marine transport system the combination comprising a cargo vessel having independently variable fore and aft ballasting means, a vertically hinged elongated loading ramp at one end over which to move cargo with the ramp beached, means to stow cargo in the vessel including a plurality of longitudinally extending open end storage cells, a deck area adjacent the open sides of the cells, and transfer means to move cargo units between such stowage and a position of transfer on the deck area, said deck area being accessible by movement of vehicles over the ramp.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a beach-landing marine transport system the combination comprising a cargo vessel having independently variable fore and aft ballasting means, a vertically hinged elongated loading ramp at one end over which to move cargo with the ramp beached, means to stow cargo in the vessel including a plurality of longitudinally extending open end storage cells, a deck area adjacent the open sides of the cells, and transfer means to move cargo units between such stowage and a position of transfer on the deck area, said deck area being accessible by movement of vehicles over the ramp.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination defined in claim 27 including a prepared landing beach negotiable by land transport vehicles, wherein the beach above an intermediate tide level has a grade of approximately 14 1/2 percent and below such level has a materially steeper grade to accommodate the floating vessel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination defined in claim 28, wherein the vessel comprises a bargelike vessel of the order of a few hundred feet in length, less than a 100 feet in width, wherein the ramp length is of the order of 50 feet and its width of the order of 40 feet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |