Abstract Method and apparatus for loading containers with cargo or for the compound stacking and setting down such cargo compounds on a loading platform of a transport vehicle or in a storage area in a warehouse a.s.o. The method comprises the steps of arranging the cargo in a predetermined manner by arranging the cargo in cargo units of a unit length corresponding substantially to the width of an available cargo space or cargo area, transferring such cargo units onto a hoisting track , hoisting the cargo units thereon up to the elevation of a conveying carriage, assembling a plurality of such cargo units on the conveying carriage in thereby forming a cargo compound of a length, width and height corresponding f.e. substantially to the internal cargo space dimensions of a container whereby the cargo units are moved through a contour sensing gate frame having gate wings which gate monitors the width and alignment of the cargo units being transferred onto the conveying carriage, driving the conveying carriage with the cargo compound assembled thereon into a cargo receiving area such as the internal cargo space of a container, moving the gate frame into a position adjacent the cargo receiving area, closing the gate wings on the gate frame and withdrawing the conveying carriage from the cargo receiving area whereby the gate wings serve as abutments and allow, during the reverse movement of the conveying carriage, to push the cargo compound off the conveying carriage so that the cargo will be put down on the cargo receiving area. The apparatus consists essentially of a base, a track, a conveying carriage, a gate frame, control and drive means and a mounting support for a container. Optionally a hoisting roller train and a feeding conveyor may be provided.
A method of loading containers with cargo, preferably cargo on pallets, and for putting down such cargo on loading platforms of transport vehicles and in storage areas in warehouses, storage yards and the like, said method including the combination of steps; arranging pallets carrying such cargo in pairs side by side so that the longitudinal dimension of a pair of pallets corresponds substantially to the width of the internal freight space of a container, transferring said pairs of pallets onto a hoisting track, hoisting said pairs of pallets by means of said hoisting track up to the elevation of a feeding means the upper surface of which is substantially coplanar with the floor of said container, and has a length substantially corresponding to the length of the internal freight space of said container, said feeding means adapted to be moved in its longitudinal direction, moving said pallets on said feeding means up to the front end of said feeding means which is opposite said container by means of following side by side arranged pairs of pallets in thereby moving said pallets through a gate-like clearance indicator frame including a pair of pivotably mounted gate wings set for a clearance width corresponding substantially to the width of the internal freight space of said container to be loaded, pallet feed control devices and means for aligning said pallets with regard to the inner walls of the freight space of said container, then moving said feeding means loaded with a plurality of pallets occupying a surface area substantially corresponding to the freight space area of said container into said container in simultaneously advancing said clearance indicator frame behind said feeding means towards said container, closing said clearance frame gate wings and withdrawing said feeding means from said container whereby said clearance indicator frame is used to control said pallet feeding operation and to monitor any displacement of said cargo.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
316 words
A method of loading containers with cargo, preferably cargo on pallets, and for putting down such cargo on loading platforms of transport vehicles and in storage areas in warehouses, storage yards and the like, said method including the combination of steps; arranging pallets carrying such cargo in pairs side by side so that the longitudinal dimension of a pair of pallets corresponds substantially to the width of the internal freight space of a container, transferring said pairs of pallets onto a hoisting track, hoisting said pairs of pallets by means of said hoisting track up to the elevation of a feeding means the upper surface of which is substantially coplanar with the floor of said container, and has a length substantially corresponding to the length of the internal freight space of said container, said feeding means adapted to be moved in its longitudinal direction, moving said pallets on said feeding means up to the front end of said feeding means which is opposite said container by means of following side by side arranged pairs of pallets in thereby moving said pallets through a gate-like clearance indicator frame including a pair of pivotably mounted gate wings set for a clearance width corresponding substantially to the width of the internal freight space of said container to be loaded, pallet feed control devices and means for aligning said pallets with regard to the inner walls of the freight space of said container, then moving said feeding means loaded with a plurality of pallets occupying a surface area substantially corresponding to the freight space area of said container into said container in simultaneously advancing said clearance indicator frame behind said feeding means towards said container, closing said clearance frame gate wings and withdrawing said feeding means from said container whereby said clearance indicator frame is used to control said pallet feeding operation and to monitor any displacement of said cargo.