Patent ID: 9701472
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: B65G

Claim:
1. A method for storing an empty trailer chassis, the method comprised of the steps of: positioning a trailer chassis between a first and a second vertical storage rack; lowering first and second stabilizing beams along the vertical storage racks toward the trailer chassis, wherein first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys are attached to the respective first and second stabilizing beams, wherein a spreader extends between the first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys, the spreader containing a chassis clamping mechanism that forms a downward-facing portion of the spreader, the chassis clamping mechanism being disposed below the first and second stabilizing beams; engaging the trailer chassis with the chassis clamping mechanism, the first and second stabilizing beams being above the trailer chassis when the chassis-clamping mechanism has engaged the trailer chassis; raising the first and second stabilizing beams so as to align the trailer chassis with an empty storage space in one of the first and second vertical storage racks; traversing the first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys laterally along the respective first and second stabilizing beams such that the spreader is moved laterally between the first and second vertical storage racks so as to align the trailer chassis with the empty storage space; lowering the trailer chassis onto a shelf member located in one of the first and second vertical storage racks; disengaging the chassis clamping mechanism from the trailer chassis; and repositioning the spreader between the first and the second vertical storage rack.