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US3700128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intermodal transfer system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-12-23
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-12-23
Abstract
Abstract This interface system comprehends the transfer of containerized or trailerized loads between transportation media by means of overhead traffic flow. An overhead guideway network connecting terminal areas for said transportation media serves as support and guide means for a plurality of self-propelled transfer cars. Each transfer car embodies a rotatable hoist and propulsion motors. By means of the propulsion motors, an individual transfer car is positioned along the overhead guideway above a designated load located at a given transportation terminal. The hoist is rotated into proper orientation for pickup, lowered, attached to the load, raise, re-rotated into alignment with the transfer car, and secured thereto. The load-bearing transfer car is then directed to a second terminal area where the hoist process is reversed and the cargo container is deposited. The transportation terminal areas may be designed to serve rail, truck, ship, air, or transit terminals and storage media. A given interface may comprise any combination of said terminal areas. Operation of the system may be directed by manual, remote or automatic control.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip S Noble
- 👤 James R Chapin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:49
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G63/00; B65G63/02; B65G63/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
A transfer car for use in an overhead transfer system adapted to transfer cargoes, in the form of containerized loads or truck trailers, among storage and transportation terminal areas, such as, for example, railway, motor vehicle and shipping terminal areas, comprising a guideway comprising spaced apart guide members having a central web and first and second lower flange portions extending orthogonally on opposing sides of said web, said transfer car comprising: a. a main frame comprising a substantially rectangular configuration conStituting a support platform, and end portions extending longitudinally outward of said support platform; b. frame means extending transversely from said end portions; c. a plurality of bogie means connected to said frame means whereby each of said bogie means is pivotable in respect to said main frame about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main frame, said bogie means being positioned to support said frame substantially intermediate said guide members; d. said bogie means comprising; 1. first and second side portions arranged to extend respectively, on opposing sides of the web; 2. at least one central support portion secured to said first and second portion and arranged to extend about the undersurface of said lower flange portions; 3. first and second wheels, rotatably secured by axle means, respectively, to said first and second side portions; said first and second wheels being located in spaced apart parallel position intermediate said first and second side portions and arranged rolling contact on the upper surfaces of, respectively, said first and second lower flange portions; e. propulsion means adapted to cooperate with preselected ones of said bogie wheels to propel said transfer car; f. a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck; g. hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers; h. motor means for rotating said hoist platform and for raising and lowering said hoisting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
A transfer car for use in an overhead transfer system adapted to transfer cargoes, in the form of containerized loads or truck trailers, among storage and transportation terminal areas, such as, for example, railway, motor vehicle and shipping terminal areas, comprising a guideway comprising spaced apart guide members having a central web and first and second lower flange portions extending orthogonally on opposing sides of said web, said transfer car comprising: a. a main frame comprising a substantially rectangular configuration conStituting a support platform, and end portions extending longitudinally outward of said support platform; b. frame means extending transversely from said end portions; c. a plurality of bogie means connected to said frame means whereby each of said bogie means is pivotable in respect to said main frame about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main frame, said bogie means being positioned to support said frame substantially intermediate said guide members; d. said bogie means comprising; 1. first and second side portions arranged to extend respectively, on opposing sides of the web; 2. at least one central support portion secured to said first and second portion and arranged to extend about the undersurface of said lower flange portions; 3. first and second wheels, rotatably secured by axle means, respectively, to said first and second side portions; said first and second wheels being located in spaced apart parallel position intermediate said first and second side portions and arranged rolling contact on the upper surfaces of, respectively, said first and second lower flange portions; e. propulsion means adapted to cooperate with preselected ones of said bogie wheels to propel said transfer car; f. a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck; g. hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers; h. motor means for rotating said hoist platform and for raising and lowering said hoisting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
at least one central support portion secured to said first and second portion and arranged to extend about the undersurface of said lower flange portions;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
at least one central support portion secured to said first and second portion and arranged to extend about the undersurface of said lower flange portions;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transfer car of claim 1 wherein said bogie means have pin members extending outwardly in the longitudinal axis and said frame means comprise transversely extending arms adapted to rotatably support the pin members of said bogie means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
comparison means for comparing said address signals and said first control signals;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
comparison means for comparing said address signals and said first control signals;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
propulsion motor means for propelling said transfer car between preselected locations along said guideway;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
propulsion motor means for propelling said transfer car between preselected locations along said guideway;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
receiving means on said predetermined transfer car adapted to receive said first electrical signals, control means operative in response to said first electrical signals, said control means being coupled to said care propulsion means to sequentially propel said transfer car to said pick up point and to said destination point;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
receiving means on said predetermined transfer car adapted to receive said first electrical signals, control means operative in response to said first electrical signals, said control means being coupled to said care propulsion means to sequentially propel said transfer car to said pick up point and to said destination point;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transfer car of claim 1 wherein propulsion motor means are secured within the bogie means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
first and second wheels, rotatably secured by axle means, respectively, to said first and second side portions; said first and second wheels being located in spaced apart parallel position intermediate said first and second side portions and arranged rolling contact on the upper surfaces of, respectively, said first and second lower flange portions; e. propulsion means adapted to cooperate with preselected ones of said bogie wheels to propel said transfer car; f. a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck; g. hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers; h. motor means for rotating said hoist platform and for raising and lowering said hoisting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
first and second wheels, rotatably secured by axle means, respectively, to said first and second side portions; said first and second wheels being located in spaced apart parallel position intermediate said first and second side portions and arranged rolling contact on the upper surfaces of, respectively, said first and second lower flange portions; e. propulsion means adapted to cooperate with preselected ones of said bogie wheels to propel said transfer car; f. a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck; g. hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers; h. motor means for rotating said hoist platform and for raising and lowering said hoisting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
actuating means responsive to differences between said compared address signals and first control signals for starting said propulsion means and responsive to equality of said compared address signals and said first control signals for stopping said propulsion means, whereby said transfer car is propelled to said first and second locations; f. means for generating second control signals representative of preselected azimuth orientations to be assumed by said cargo at said first and second locations; g. and means responsive to said second control signals for starting and stopping said rotatable hoist means at said first and second locations in said preselected azimuth orientations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
actuating means responsive to differences between said compared address signals and first control signals for starting said propulsion means and responsive to equality of said compared address signals and said first control signals for stopping said propulsion means, whereby said transfer car is propelled to said first and second locations; f. means for generating second control signals representative of preselected azimuth orientations to be assumed by said cargo at said first and second locations; g. and means responsive to said second control signals for starting and stopping said rotatable hoist means at said first and second locations in said preselected azimuth orientations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
The transfer car of claim 1 wherein said frame means are substantially H-shaped each having a central portion and two pairs of substantially parallel arms, each of said pairs of arms being adapted to secure one of said bogie means, a first one of said frame means being rigidly secured to one end portion of said main frame and a second one of said frame means having its central portion pivotably secured to the other end portion of said main frame to permit relative vertical displacement between the bogie means secured to each of the pairs of arms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
8 words
a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
8 words
a hoist platform rotatably suspended below said truck;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
225 words
An interface transfer system for transferring containerized cargoes, such as containers or truck trailers, between various transport terminal areas, such as for example, railway, motor vehicle, and shipping terminal areas comprising: a. an elevated guideway overlying portions of said terminal areas comprising first and second spaced apart parallel guide members extending in a configuration comprising at least one closed loop; b. means located at the wayside for generating first control signals representative of a first location at which said cargo is to be lifted and a second location at which said cargo is to be deposited; c. means for generating second signals representative of preselected azimuth orientations and preselected vertical positions relative said guideway means which are to be assumed by said cargo at said first and second locations; d. a transfer car supported by and moveable along said guideway, said transfer car including propulsion means, hoist means rotatable about a vertical axis and car control means; e. said car control means including means responsive to said first control signals for starting and stopping said propulsion means for propelling said transfer car to said first and second locations; f. and said car control means further including means responsive to said second control signals for starting and stopping said rotatable hoist means at said first and second locations in said preselected azimuth orientations and vertical positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
225 words
An interface transfer system for transferring containerized cargoes, such as containers or truck trailers, between various transport terminal areas, such as for example, railway, motor vehicle, and shipping terminal areas comprising: a. an elevated guideway overlying portions of said terminal areas comprising first and second spaced apart parallel guide members extending in a configuration comprising at least one closed loop; b. means located at the wayside for generating first control signals representative of a first location at which said cargo is to be lifted and a second location at which said cargo is to be deposited; c. means for generating second signals representative of preselected azimuth orientations and preselected vertical positions relative said guideway means which are to be assumed by said cargo at said first and second locations; d. a transfer car supported by and moveable along said guideway, said transfer car including propulsion means, hoist means rotatable about a vertical axis and car control means; e. said car control means including means responsive to said first control signals for starting and stopping said propulsion means for propelling said transfer car to said first and second locations; f. and said car control means further including means responsive to said second control signals for starting and stopping said rotatable hoist means at said first and second locations in said preselected azimuth orientations and vertical positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers at points adjacEnt to the container periphery; 6. rotating motor means for rotating said hoist platform and hoisting motor means for raising and lowering said hoisting means, whereby containerized cargo may be lifted or deposited at predetermined azimuth orientations in respect to the longitudinal axis of said guideway;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
hoisting means secured to said hoist platform and adapted for attachment to cargo containers at points adjacEnt to the container periphery; 6. rotating motor means for rotating said hoist platform and hoisting motor means for raising and lowering said hoisting means, whereby containerized cargo may be lifted or deposited at predetermined azimuth orientations in respect to the longitudinal axis of said guideway;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an interface adapted to transfer cargoes in thE form of containerized loads or truck trailers, among storage and transportation media such as a motor vehicle medium, a railway medium, a maritime medium or an aircraft medium, said interface including a plurality of terminal areas adapted to cooperate with said storage and transportation media, a system for transferring said cargoes among said terminal areas comprising: a. guideway means overlying portions of said terminal areas; b. a plurality of address signal transmitting means disposed adjacent to said guideway, each of said address signal transmitting means adapted to emit a predetermined address signal representative of a preselected guideway location; c. means for generating first control signals representative of a first location at which said cargo is to be lifted and a second location at which said cargo is to be deposited; d. a transfer car supported and moveable on said guideway, said transfer car comprising propulsion means, rotatable hoist means and car control means; e. said car control means comprising:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an interface adapted to transfer cargoes in thE form of containerized loads or truck trailers, among storage and transportation media such as a motor vehicle medium, a railway medium, a maritime medium or an aircraft medium, said interface including a plurality of terminal areas adapted to cooperate with said storage and transportation media, a system for transferring said cargoes among said terminal areas comprising: a. guideway means overlying portions of said terminal areas; b. a plurality of address signal transmitting means disposed adjacent to said guideway, each of said address signal transmitting means adapted to emit a predetermined address signal representative of a preselected guideway location; c. means for generating first control signals representative of a first location at which said cargo is to be lifted and a second location at which said cargo is to be deposited; d. a transfer car supported and moveable on said guideway, said transfer car comprising propulsion means, rotatable hoist means and car control means; e. said car control means comprising:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
190 words
An interface transfer system for transferring containerized cargoes, such as containers or truck trailers, between a plurality of different types of transport type terminals, such as railway, highway motor vehicle and storage terminal areas, wherein an elevated guideway overlies portions of each of said terminal areas and whereby cargoes may be transferred between any of said terminal areas by means of a predetermined one of a plurality of transfer cars traveling on said guideway and said guideway and said cargoes may be picked up or deposited at any desired azimuth angle in respect to the longitudinal axis of said guideways, the combination comprising: a. said elevated guideway comprising first and second spaced apart parallel guide members extending in a configuration comprising at least one closed loop; b. first signal means located at the wayside for generating and transmitting first electrical signals indicative of a predetermined pickup point on the guideway at which cargo is to be picked up by a predetermined transfer car and of a predetermined destination point on the guideway at which cargo is to be deposited by said predetermined transfer car; c. said predetermined transfer car comprising:
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
190 words
An interface transfer system for transferring containerized cargoes, such as containers or truck trailers, between a plurality of different types of transport type terminals, such as railway, highway motor vehicle and storage terminal areas, wherein an elevated guideway overlies portions of each of said terminal areas and whereby cargoes may be transferred between any of said terminal areas by means of a predetermined one of a plurality of transfer cars traveling on said guideway and said guideway and said cargoes may be picked up or deposited at any desired azimuth angle in respect to the longitudinal axis of said guideways, the combination comprising: a. said elevated guideway comprising first and second spaced apart parallel guide members extending in a configuration comprising at least one closed loop; b. first signal means located at the wayside for generating and transmitting first electrical signals indicative of a predetermined pickup point on the guideway at which cargo is to be picked up by a predetermined transfer car and of a predetermined destination point on the guideway at which cargo is to be deposited by said predetermined transfer car; c. said predetermined transfer car comprising:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
additional actuating means on said predetermined transfer car coupled to said rotating motor means and to said hoist motor means, said additional actuating means being arranged to permit rotation of said hoist platform and actuation of said hoisting means solely when said transfer car is substantially located at the pickup point and at said destination point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
additional actuating means on said predetermined transfer car coupled to said rotating motor means and to said hoist motor means, said additional actuating means being arranged to permit rotation of said hoist platform and actuation of said hoisting means solely when said transfer car is substantially located at the pickup point and at said destination point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
The interface transfer system of claim 7, wherein at least one motor vehicle terminal area comprises a plurality of stall means for engaging and positively locating a truck trailer directly under said guideway, said stall means being oriented one to another such that truck trailers parked therein have a uniform orientation in respect to said guideway so as to have a predetermined common angle to said guideway.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
The interface transfer system of claim 8 wherein the additional actuating means on said transfer car is connected to actuate said rotating motor means to rotate said hoist platform to said predetermined angle in respect to said guideway when the transfer car is located at a pickup or destination point in said motor vehicle terminal area.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The interface transfer system of claim 9 wherein each of said stall means embodies a pair of substantially flared side bumper rails and a rear bumper rail disposed transversely to said flared side bumper rails for engaging and positively locating said wheeled trailers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
65 words
The interface transfer system of claim 7 wherein specified locations under the guideway are utilized as a storage terminal area, and wherein the additional actuating means on said transfer car actuates said rotating motor means to angularly rotate said hoist platform substantially transversely in respect to the guideway when the transfer car is located at a pickup or destination point in said storage terminal area.
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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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |