Patent ID: 7758293
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for at least one of loading and unloading multi-piece goods units to and from a transport compartment in a loading and unloading direction, the apparatus comprising: at least one conveying unit being at least partly inserted into the transport compartment and simultaneously conveying a plurality of multi-piece goods units therein; having: a plurality of beam guide members fixed to an overhead support structure; a unitary traveling support beam operatively connected to the beam guide members for reciprocating travel into and out of the transport compartment; at least two gripping units operatively mounted to the unitary support beam for movement therewith and disposed in spaced succession therealong for movement into and out of the transport compartment, each gripping unit including a laterally oriented crossbeam and two fixed length elongate legs mounted to said crossbeam and being movable with respect to one another, the multi-piece goods units being clamped between the two fixed length elongate legs in general centered alignment with respect to the support beam when the gripping unit engages the multi-piece goods units; at least two lifting units mounted to said crossbeam for lifting the multi-piece goods units in a generally vertical direction perpendicular to the loading and unloading direction for movement of the multi-piece goods units into and out of the transport compartment.