US3780877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Freight container transfer mechanism
Assignee: Gilbert Flexi Van Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Freight container transfer apparatus having a pair of lifting beams mounted on support assemblies at opposite end portions of an elongated chassis for pivotal movement between opposite sides of the chassis, with spreader assemblies suspended at the outer ends of the beams for engaging the upper corners of a container, and hydraulic cylinders for swinging the beams to lift the chassis off a railroad car, highway trailer or other support (including the ground) at one side of the chassis, move it across the chassis in the space between the support assemblies and deposit it on the other side. One of the support assemblies is movable longitudinally of the chassis to accommodate different lengths of container. Hydraulically actuated stabilizer legs are engageable with the ground at each corner of the chassis to prevent overturning the chassis when the load is supported at one side, the legs being vertically adjustable to compensate for variations in ground level. Flared guide members at each end of the spreader assemblies are engageable with the corners of the container as the spreader assemblies are lowered onto the container to align them automatically with the corners of the container. Hydraulically actuated hanger links are pivotally connected between spreader assemblies and the ends of the beams to allow lateral movement of the spreader assemblies to compensate for greater lateral misalignment of the spreader assemblies with the container. Hydraulically actuated locks are provided for engagement with the corners of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 S Levitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:19
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C23/00; B66C23/62; B66C23/72; B66C23/78; B66C23/80; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/64; B60P1/6418; B60P1/6472; B66C13/00; B66C13/18; B66C2700/00; B66C2700/06; B66C2700/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
439 words
A freight container transfer mechanism comprising an elongated chassis, a support means at each end portion of said chassis, a pair of beams, each pivotally mounted near its lower end on one of said support means for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said chassis so that its upper end may be caused to project laterally from either side of said chassis for a distance at least equal to one-half the width of said container, said beams being spaced apart longitudinally of said chassis a distance exceeding the length of said container, hanger links having their upper ends pivotally supported at the upper ends of said beams for swinging movement transversely and longitudinally of said chassis, a spreader assembly supported on the lower end of each of said hanger links for transverse and longitudinal pivotal movement relative thereto, aligning members normally projecting downwardly from each end of each of said spreader assemblies, the lower portions of said aligning members being flared outwardly and positioned to engage the upper corners of said container to guide said spreader assemblies laterally into aligned and centered relationship with the ends of said container as said spreader assemblies are lowered thereon, said aligning members being mounted on said spreader assemblies for movement to retracted positions out of the way of closely stacked containers or other obstacles, first power means for moving said aligning members to and from said retracted positions, twist locks rotatably mounted at each end of each of said spreader assemblies for engagement with the upper corners of said container, second power means conneCted between said spreader assemblies and said twist locks to rotate said twist locks for engagement and disengagement with said container, third power means for swinging said beams from one side of said chassis to the other to lift said containers at one side, move them between said beams across the top of said chassis, and set them down on the other side, outrigger assemblies mounted at each side of said mechanism for movement between retracted positions and extended positions at which they engage the ground alongside aaid mechanism to stabilize said mechanism against tipping during the lifting of said containers, fourth power means for moving said outrigger assemblies between said extended and retracted positions, and fifth power means connected between said beams and the lower portions of said hanger links to cause swinging of said links transversely of said chassis for rough alignment of said spreader assemblies transversely with said container preparatory to lowering said spreader assemblies onto said container by swinging of said beams to effect final precise transverse positioning of said spreader assemblies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
439 words
A freight container transfer mechanism comprising an elongated chassis, a support means at each end portion of said chassis, a pair of beams, each pivotally mounted near its lower end on one of said support means for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said chassis so that its upper end may be caused to project laterally from either side of said chassis for a distance at least equal to one-half the width of said container, said beams being spaced apart longitudinally of said chassis a distance exceeding the length of said container, hanger links having their upper ends pivotally supported at the upper ends of said beams for swinging movement transversely and longitudinally of said chassis, a spreader assembly supported on the lower end of each of said hanger links for transverse and longitudinal pivotal movement relative thereto, aligning members normally projecting downwardly from each end of each of said spreader assemblies, the lower portions of said aligning members being flared outwardly and positioned to engage the upper corners of said container to guide said spreader assemblies laterally into aligned and centered relationship with the ends of said container as said spreader assemblies are lowered thereon, said aligning members being mounted on said spreader assemblies for movement to retracted positions out of the way of closely stacked containers or other obstacles, first power means for moving said aligning members to and from said retracted positions, twist locks rotatably mounted at each end of each of said spreader assemblies for engagement with the upper corners of said container, second power means conneCted between said spreader assemblies and said twist locks to rotate said twist locks for engagement and disengagement with said container, third power means for swinging said beams from one side of said chassis to the other to lift said containers at one side, move them between said beams across the top of said chassis, and set them down on the other side, outrigger assemblies mounted at each side of said mechanism for movement between retracted positions and extended positions at which they engage the ground alongside aaid mechanism to stabilize said mechanism against tipping during the lifting of said containers, fourth power means for moving said outrigger assemblies between said extended and retracted positions, and fifth power means connected between said beams and the lower portions of said hanger links to cause swinging of said links transversely of said chassis for rough alignment of said spreader assemblies transversely with said container preparatory to lowering said spreader assemblies onto said container by swinging of said beams to effect final precise transverse positioning of said spreader assemblies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |