Abstract:
Presented is a device for lifting land/sea containers off of a trailer chassis and for tipping them into a vertical position for loading. The device includes a door opening assembly for opening and closing the doors, including when the container is in a vertical position. When the container is filled, the doors would be closed and the container would be lowered to a horizontal position. From the horizontal position, the device is configured to place the container on the chassis of a trailer for towing by a truck.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority date of the provisional application entitled CONTAINER UNLOADING DEVICE filed by Kylan Cooper on 25 Jan. 2008 with application Ser. No. 61/023,456. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to a device for use in holding and loading containers, and more particularly to a device for placing a land/sea container on end for loading, and then lowering it to horizontal for mounting on a trailer chassis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Land/sea containers are a standardized type of container in which all kinds of goods and materials are shipped. The land/sea container can be of various lengths, but at present the standard width is 8 feet. Land/sea containers are transported on land on rail car flat beds and on trailers pulled by tractor rigs. The containers are off-loaded from the trailers for use at destination facilities, or for loading onto a sea going vessel. 
         [0004]    Land/sea containers are loaded by opening the doors which are on one end of the trailer and placing goods inside the trailer. This can be by forklift or other means. Often palates of goods are driven into the container by forklift, or the container may be loaded by other methods. 
         [0005]    One disadvantage in loading containers is if the material to be loaded is not palletized but is a bulk or free-flowing item. This could include solid materials such as scrap iron, and it could also be encountered when dealing with free-flowing materials such as grains, powders, particulates, or other free-flowing devices. A container could also be designed to hold liquids, and obviously filling the container with liquid while the container is in horizontal position would be impossible. However, if a liquid proof container with sealable doors were made, it could be filled if the container were tipped on end. 
         [0006]    In each of the above situations, the container is better filled when the container is tipped on end. This is difficult to do because the container is very heavy. It is also complicated by the fact that it must be lifted off a trailer, and then lifted to a vertical position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The device of the invention is a loading device for land/sea shipping containers of the type which are mounted on trailer chassis and transported by trucks, and also unloaded from trucks onto ships for transoceanic shipment. This type of land/sea shipping container can be various lengths from 20 feet to 40 feet or greater, and are made to standard dimensions and attachment specifications. 
         [0008]    The invention of the device includes a loader frame which is configured to attach to the shipping container and to lift it off a trailer chassis. In order to accomplish this, a truck with a shipping container backs into the center of the loader frame, whereupon the loader frame is attached at the four corners of the shipping container. Attached to the loader frame is a container lifting bracket which is configured for rotation in relation to the loader frame. The container lifting bracket includes a plurality of attachment points for attaching the lifting bracket to the shipping container. 
         [0009]    The device also includes a plurality of loader frame legs which are configured to lift the loader frame, and the container lifting bracket with the container attached. The purpose of the loader frame legs is to lift the container off the trailer chassis, and when the reverse operation is being performed, to lower the shipping container onto the trailer chassis. The device also includes at least one tilting arm for rotating the container lifting bracket from a horizontal to a vertical position in relation to the loader frame, which always stays in a horizontal position. The tilting arm also causes rotation of the container lifting bracket from a vertical to a horizontal position, from which position the container may be re-loaded onto a trailer chassis. 
         [0010]    The loading device is configured to interface with a conventional truck and trailer chassis combination, with a container mounted to the trailer chassis in the orientation in which such containers are typically transported. That is, with the container doors oriented toward the rear of the trailer chassis. The device of the invention thus connects to the shipping container, lifts it off the trailer chassis, and tilts it into a vertical orientation in such a manner that the container doors are on the upper end of the trailer when it is vertical. 
         [0011]    The device preferably includes four loader frame legs which are positioned near the four corners of the generally rectangular loader frame. These loader frame legs are configured to lift the loader frame with the attached container off of the trailer chassis. 
         [0012]    The device can also include one or more wheel guides for guiding the trailer chassis wheels into position for engagement of the lifting bracket to the container. The wheel guides are one or more tracks or sloping sidewalls which help the truck driver back the truck into position for engagement by guiding the wheels of the truck. 
         [0013]    The device can also include a container door opening and closing arm. This is a device which is attached to the container lifting bracket, and which would serve to hold the container door as the container is being lifted towards the vertical, and would allow the operator the ability to open the container door when the container had reached a vertical position and to close the door. 
         [0014]    The device can include a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted on the left and right side of the loader frame, for rotating the lifting bracket from a horizontal to a vertical position, and lowering it back down to a horizontal position. Each of the hydraulic cylinders would be attached to the loader frame at one end, and at a second end, would be attached to the lifting bracket. 
         [0015]    The device can also include a base support plate which is configured to contact and support the end of the container which is towards the front of the truck chassis. As the container is lifted to a vertical position, the base support plate would press against the rear or bottom end of the shipping container to provide support for that end of the container. In this way, the end wall of the container is supported. When the container is in the vertical position, material which is dropped into the container would not damage or burst the end of the container which is on the bottom when the container is in a vertical position. The base support plate can be a fixed plate on which the container end is brought into contact when it is in the vertical position. It can also be a plate which moves into position adjacent or contacting the end wall of the container before or during the transition from horizontal to vertical. The latter configuration of the base support plate would be most useful when lifting a particularly heavy or a loaded container, so that the end wall is not damaged by the weight of the container or the material in the container. 
         [0016]    The attachment points on the device are locking pins which engage attachment holes in the container. 
         [0017]    The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0018]    Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the device of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the container loading device showing the container being lifted off the truck chassis. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the device of the invention showing the truck and trailer removed from the container. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the device of the invention showing a rotatable base support plate. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the device showing the container lifting bracket being raised to the vertical position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wheel guides of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the loader frame, the container lifting bracket, and the wheel guides of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the device of the invention as it attaches to a container. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a J shaped bracket of the invention lifting the container. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the full container showing lifting brackets and corner pins 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1-6  show one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the container loader  10  of the invention in a configuration in which a truck  14  and a cargo container  12  are in position for unloading. Shown in  FIG. 1  is the container  12  on a trailer  18 , inside the loader frame  28  of the device, and adjacent to the container lifting bracket  32  of the device. A hydraulic cylinder  42  is shown, which is attached at a first end  44  to the loader frame  28 , and at a second end  46 , to the container lifting bracket  32 . The lifting bracket  32  is generally U shaped, with a rear plate  80 , a left arm  82 , and a right arm  84 , with said rear plate  80  joining said left arm  82  and right arm  84  at generally right angles.  FIG. 7  shows a view of the rear plate  80 , the left arm  82 , and the right arm  84  of the lifting bracket. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows the truck  14  and trailer  18  in the same position as shown in  FIG. 1 , but in  FIG. 2  the cargo container  12  has been attached to the attachment points of the container lifting bracket  32 , and the loader frame legs  30  have been activated to lift the loader frame  28  and the container lifting bracket  32  into the air with the container  12  attached. In the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the container  12  is no longer attached to the trailer  18 , and the truck  14  is free to drive forward, leaving the container  12  attached to the container loader  10  of the invention. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows the container loader  10  of the invention and the cargo container  12  in the same position as shown in  FIG. 2 , but the truck  14  and the trailer  18  have been withdrawn. Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a container door opening and closing arm  52  which will be referred to as the door arm  52 . The door arm  52  serves to open and close the doors of the container  12  while the container  12  is in position on the container loader  10 . Shown on  FIG. 3  is an optional configuration of the base support plate  48 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the base support plate  48  is attached in a hinged configuration to a base support plate riser  64 . There would be two of these risers on either side of the cargo container  12 , and the base support plate  48  in this configuration would be locked into place on the opposite side by one or more base support plate locks  66 . In this configuration, the end wall of the container would be supported as it was tipped into a vertical position. This would serve to facilitate a loaded container being tipped on end, so that the weight inside the container would not push out the end wall of the container.  FIG. 3  shows an alternate position of the base support plate  48 , with the base support plate  48  positioned so that when the container is placed in an upright position, it will contact the base support plate  48  which is placed on the ground below it. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows another configuration of the device in which the base support plate  48  is mounted to a base support plate bracket  68  and is configured to be lowered or raised to support the end wall of the container. As in  FIG. 3 , this would facilitate the tipping of a full container and support the end wall of the container while it is being moved to a vertical position. The base support plate  48  can also be raised from below the container to a supporting position by the container end. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows the container loader  10  of the invention with the container lifting bracket  32  lifted into an almost horizontal position, with the container  12  attached. Further rotation will result in the container  12  being vertical. Shown in  FIG. 4  is a base support plate  48  which is present to support the end wall  54  of the container. This is so that when the container  12  is in a vertical position, material may be dropped from above the container doors  56 , which are shown as being open in  FIG. 4 , and the end wall  54  of the container  12 , will not be damaged or blown out by the impact of this material. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a pair of wheel guides  58  which are attached to a base plate  60 . Included in the base plate  60  is a base support plate  48  in the form of an apron which extends beyond the end of the base plate  60 . In another configuration of the device, the base support plate  48  can be articulated, and can be configured to move into position adjacent the end wall  54  of the container  12  before the container  12  reaches the vertical position. The configuration with the articulated base support plate  48  would be useful when the container is lifted to a vertical position when it is in a loaded or semi-loaded state. The base support plate  48  can be hinged from above the container, or from below the container. 
         [0037]    The base plate  60  of the invention includes a pair of rear corner pieces  62  which are provided for orientating the base plate  60  with the loader frame  28  and for supporting the wheel guides  58 . The base plate  60  can also contain a pair of frame guides  70  which keep the base plate oriented with the loader frame, and keep the loader frame from expanding toward the sides. 
         [0038]    Shown in  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the base plate  60 , with wheel guides  58 , assembled in conjunction with loader frame  28  and container lifting bracket  32 . The base plate  60  can be a separate unit from the loader frame  28  or can be attached. Frame guides  70  serve to stabilize the loader frame, and the loader frame fits between the two pairs of frame guides  70 . The device includes a container centering system made up of two parts. One part is seen in  FIG. 7  at deflecting wedges  86 . These are corner pieces which contact the container and/or the trailer as it is being backed into position, and deflect the container and/or the trailer toward a centered position. In addition to the centering effect of these wedges, the device is provided with I-shaped brackets which have a centering effect. 
         [0039]    Shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  are the corner locking and the lifting mechanisms of the container loader  10 . 
         [0040]    Shown in  FIG. 9  is a J shaped bracket  72 , attached to a support bar located within a sleeve  74 . The sleeve  74  is attached to the loader frame  28  and the J-shaped bracket  72  extends in and out of the sleeve  74 . Also shown in  FIG. 9  are two corner pins  24  which are slidably attached to the loader frame  28 . These are manually pressed into holes in the corner lock  16  of the container. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a J-shaped bracket  72  as it first engages the container  12 . As a truck  14  with the attached cargo container  12  enters the cargo container, the loader frame  28  is moved into a position so that the two J-shaped brackets on each side of the loader frame  28  can be pushed forward so that they fit under the edge of the cargo container  12 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Once the J-shaped brackets are under the container  12 , the loader frame  28  is lifted and the loader frame  28  lifts the container  12  off of the trailer  18 . Once the weight of the container is held on the J-shaped brackets  72 , the holes in the corner lock  16  of the containers are at the same level as the corner pins  24 , and these can be manually slid into place in the corner locks  16  of the container. The J-shaped brackets  72  lock in place under the container with a pin or lever or other conventional locking means. The corner pins  24  also lock in place by turning a handle  76 , which locks the head of the corner pins  24  into the oval shaped holes in the corner lock  16  of the containers. If the J-shaped brackets contact the edge of the container on the sloping portion  90  of the J-shaped brackets, the container would slide down the slope of the J-shaped bracket until the container rested on the flat portion  92  of the J-shaped bracket. This structure forms part of the centering system  88  of the device  10 , along with the deflecting wedges  86 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows the 4 J-shaped brackets in position to lift the container to a level orientation, with four of the corner pins  24  locked into place to prepare to tilt the container  12 . When the container is lifted into a vertical position, there is no weight on the J-shaped bracket  72 , and the full weight of the container  12  is supported by the corner pins  24 . This version of the device shows the corner pins  24  fitting into the four corner locks  16  which are positioned along the bottom edge of the container  12 . However, cargo containers are typically configured with identical corner locks on the upper four corners as well. The loader frame  28  of the invention can also include an upper structure which engages and secures the container at the upper corner locks of the container. 
         [0043]    While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.