US5884238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and structure for properly positioning freight in a trailer, container or other freight receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-10-22
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2017-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for achieving accurate positioning of freight in a freight receptacle, without requiring skill on the part of the material handling equipment operator. The method and apparatus uses specially marked forms, a Freight Placement Index, and can be used in conjunction with a computer software program, computer, and a scale/scanner. The computer program identifies the correct load position, with respect to the Freight Placement Index inside the freight container after the load description has been entered into the computer. The scanner/scale enter the height, width, length, and weight of load materials. One method is for the load planner or material handling equipment, operator to input information about freight i.e. by use of a computer program and the scale/scanner unit. This program instructs the operator to position the load respective to the Freight Placement Index inside of the freight container or receptacle. With this invention, the computer calculates and adjusts the position of the freight, eliminating the need for time consuming loading, weighing, readjustment of freight and repositioning as well as highly skilled load planners or material handling equipment operators.
Inventors
- 👤 Virginia Noll
- 👤 Charles Noll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/02; B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; B60G; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/04; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/61; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/04; B60G2600/042; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/20; B60G2800/204; G01G19/4144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer, comprising: index means for indicating a plurality of positions inside said trailer; measuring means for measuring weights and dimensions of cargo to be placed in said trailer; and determining means for determining an arrangement of said cargo in said trailer with respect to said index means according to measurements taken by said measuring means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer, comprising: index means for indicating a plurality of positions inside said trailer; measuring means for measuring weights and dimensions of cargo to be placed in said trailer; and determining means for determining an arrangement of said cargo in said trailer with respect to said index means according to measurements taken by said measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 1, wherein said index means includes: a plurality of incremental positioning indicia designating intervals at a predetermined distance; a first identifier for indicating a position of a trailer pin; and at least one second identifier for indicating a location of at least one axle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 2, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on an order in which said cargo are to be dropped off.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 2, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on road weight limit regulations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 1, further comprising scanning means for scanning a location of a trailer pin and trailer axles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 5, wherein said scanning means further includes reading means for reading information about dimensions and weights of a trailer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 6, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on the dimensions and weight of a trailer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 5, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on the position of said pin and said axles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 8, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on an order in which said cargo are to be dropped off.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 8, wherein said determining means further determines the placement of said cargo based on road weight limit regulations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 1, wherein said determining means determines the placement of said cargo based on an order in which said cargo are to be dropped off.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 1, wherein said determining means determines the placement of said cargo based on road weight limit regulations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus for determining placement of cargo in a trailer according to claim 1, wherein said determining means performs a static analysis of loads to be placed in said trailer to insure that a maximum allowable load on a vehicle's axles is not exceeded.
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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) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |