US3820670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile shipping container unloader
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Shipping containers having a plurality of storage levels, one superimposed above another, are used on railroad flatcars to support and enclose automobiles during transit. At each storage level in the shipping container, tracks are provided to receive the automobile wheels. Additional tracks are provided to receive restraints slidably fitted therein for interconnecting an automobile with the shipping container. A device for unloading automobiles from such shipping containers includes a mobile chassis with an elevator platform mounted thereon having an extractor arranged to project into the shipping container, automatically grip the restraints connected to an automobile, draw the automobile by the restraints from the shipping container onto the platform, and hold the automobile in place on the platform while the platform is in an elevated position. A trip mechanism is provided for automatically releasing the restraints when the platform is lowered to a position where the automobile can be driven from the platform. The extractor, which is mounted for reciprocal movement on the platform, has at least one arm extending therefrom with gripping jaws mounted at the distal end for engaging a restraint, and a guideway is provided on the platform for directing the arm to slide into the track holding the restraint. A linkage connected to the gripping jaws is coupled to a trip lever that can be pivoted when the platform is lowered so that the automobile will be released.
Inventors
- 👤 J Pizzo
- 👤 W Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:33
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F7/00; B66F7/06; B66F7/08; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/22; B65G69/24; B66F7/0625; B66F7/065; E; E04; E04H; E04H6/00; E04H6/02; E04H6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for unloading automobiles from a shipping container which has a plurality of storage levels, one superimposed above another, with tracks at each storage level receiving restraints slidably fitted therein for interconnecting an automobile with the track during shipment of the container, said automobile unloading device comprising a chassis mobile upon a substantially horizontal surface; a platform mounted upon said chassis for vertical movement between a lowermost position and positions thereabove corresponding to storage levels in the shipping container; an extractor mounted upon said platform for projecting into the shipping container, automatically gripping said restraints connected to said automobile, drawing the automobile by the restraints from the shipping container onto the platform, and holding the autombile in place on the platform by the restraints while the platform is in an elevated position; and a trip mechanism mounted on said platform to contact said extractor for automatically releasing the restraints when the platform is lowered to a position where the automobile can be driven directly from the platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for unloading automobiles from a shipping container which has a plurality of storage levels, one superimposed above another, with tracks at each storage level receiving restraints slidably fitted therein for interconnecting an automobile with the track during shipment of the container, said automobile unloading device comprising a chassis mobile upon a substantially horizontal surface; a platform mounted upon said chassis for vertical movement between a lowermost position and positions thereabove corresponding to storage levels in the shipping container; an extractor mounted upon said platform for projecting into the shipping container, automatically gripping said restraints connected to said automobile, drawing the automobile by the restraints from the shipping container onto the platform, and holding the autombile in place on the platform by the restraints while the platform is in an elevated position; and a trip mechanism mounted on said platform to contact said extractor for automatically releasing the restraints when the platform is lowered to a position where the automobile can be driven directly from the platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A device for unloading automobiles as described in claim 1 wherein said extractor includes a carriage mounted upon said platform for reciprocal movement longitudinaLly thereof toward and away from one end of the platform adjacent the shipping container, at least one arm mounted upon the carriage for projecting into the shipping container when the carriage is adjacent thereto, and gripping jaws mounted at the distal end of the projecting arm for engaging a restraint upon contact therewith; and said platform has a guideway mounted thereon for directing said extractor arm and gripping jaws to slide into a track holding the restraint in the shipping container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device for unloading automobiles as described in claim 2 wherein said extractor arm includes a linkage connected to the gripping jaws, a trip lever connected to said linkage and projecting outwardly from said arm, and said trip mechanism being arranged to engage said trip lever when the platform is lowered to its lowermost position to open the restraint gripping jaws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
A device for unloading automobiles as described in claim 3 wherein said trip mechanism includes a crankshaft mounted on the platform, a crank handle depending from the crankshaft to contact the chassis as the platform is lowered to its lowermost position thereby rotating the crankshaft, and a lug projecting from the crankshaft in a plane that intersects the plane of said trip lever whereupon rotation of the crankshaft, the lug contacts the trip lever to open the restraint gripping means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device for unloading automobiles as described in claim 4 including control means for stopping said carriage in a retracted position remote from the platform end adjacent the shipping container where the trip lever is aligned to be contacted by the lug upon rotation of the crankshaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A device for unloading automobiles as described in claim 1 wherein said extractor includes a carriage mounted upon said platform for reciprocal movement longitudinally thereof toward and away from one end of the platform adjacent the shipping container, at least one arm mounted upon the carriage for projecting into the shipping container when the carriage is adjacent thereto, and gripping jaws mounted at the distal end of the arm projecting from the carriage for engaging a restraint upon contact therewith; said gripping jaws having lugs projecting inwardly therefrom and defining a notch to fit about a restraint, means for mounting said jaws to open upon contact pressure with a restraint that spreads the jaws apart until the lugs fit into an opening in the restraint, and a mount fixed to the distal end of said arm for supporting the jaws, said mount having a nose portion adapted to contact the restraint when the jaws are closed with the lugs thereof fitting into the restraint opening thereby transferring force directly from the mount to the restraint and preventing further opening pressure upon the jaws.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |