System for transporting shipping containers

A system for transporting shipping containers using a tractor with a first support assembly attached to its fifth wheel, and a wheeled, second support assembly. Both the front and rear assemblies include cargo-container-engaging vertical frames that are raised and lowered by pivoting main cylinders. As the main cylinders raise the vertical frames and the container to which the vertical frames are secured to, two locking arms telescope with the vertical arm to hold the raised container in position. The second support assembly may be self-propelled for maneuvering into position with respect to the container or may be manually pulling short distances with by hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Substantial tonnage of freight moves throughout the world in shipping containers. Shipping containers are standard, rectangular storage devices with strong corners that are liftable by cranes from ships at port, from docks and from distribution centers for placement on railroad flatcars and flatbed trailers. Companies that receive frequent shipments of goods by ship often park trailers at dockside for use in moving shipping containers as soon as a ship carrying the containers is off-loaded. Shipping container users make a significant investment in cranes, trailers, and flatcars and the time to put these assets in place prior to container movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly recited, the present invention is a system for transporting shipping containers. According to one embodiment of this system, a tractor is provided with a first support assembly for use in combination with a wheeled second support assembly, which assemblies cooperate to secure a shipping container between the tractor and second support assembly to lift it from its resting position on the ground, and to haul it to a distant location.

The first support assembly includes a horizontal frame, a vertical frame with locking assemblies, a main cylinder, and locking arms. The horizontal frame attaches to the fifth wheel of a tractor. The vertical frame engages the front end of the cargo container and secures to its four corners using the locking assemblies. The main cylinder pivotally secures the horizontal frame to the vertical frame. After locking the cargo container to the vertical frame, the vertical frame is raised above the road surface using the main cylinder. The main cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder, carried by the tractor, extends to lift the front end of the container off the ground.

The second support assembly also has a horizontal frame, a vertical frame with locking assemblies on each corner, and a pivoting main cylinder and locking arms. The rear assembly secures to the rear end of the container using the locking assemblies, and then lifts it when the main cylinder extends from its retracted position. Locking arms hold the raised container for transport.

The present invention has two alternate rear support assemblies, one is self-propelled and the other moves by manual effort or by a small motor. The self-propelled support assembly includes wheels on a double axel as well as the attendant features required for the second support assembly to operate as a trailer, such as rear brakes and both brake lights and tail lights. However, it contains an engine separate from that of the tractor that supplies its needs for compressed air to operate the pneumatic cylinders for locking devices and hydraulic pressure to provide lifting, motive and steering power, through operation of its main cylinder and other hydraulic cylinders as will be described.

The present system and method has numerous advantages. It eliminates the need for both a separate trailer and a crane to lift a shipping container. It allows greater payloads without exceeding over-the-road weight limits; it reduces the need for overweight permits. It eliminates the need for a loading dock at trailer height at the receiving destination.

The present invention is then a system for transporting a shipping container, comprising a first support assembly having a horizontal frame, a vertical frame, a main cylinder pivotally connect to the horizontal frame and the vertical frame. The cylinder is adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position to move the vertical frame with respect to the horizontal frame. The system includes locking assemblies carried by the vertical frame for securing one end of the container to the vertical frame, wheels supporting and connected to the horizontal frame, and an engine supported by the horizontal frame and operationally connected with the wheels and the main cylinder so that the engine can rotate the wheels and thereby move the first support assembly and can cause the main cylinder to move from its retracted position to its extended position. The system includes controls carried by the horizontal frame connected to the engine, the wheels and the main cylinder so that a user can control movement of the first support assembly. The system includes a second support assembly having a horizontal frame, a vertical frame, a main cylinder pivotally connect to the horizontal frame and the vertical frame, and adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The main cylinder moves the vertical frame with respect to the horizontal frame by moving between its retracted position and its extended position, being operationally connected with the engine of the first support assembly so that the engine can move the main cylinder of the second support assembly. The second support assembly includes locking assemblies carried by the vertical frame for securing the second end of the container, and wheels supporting the horizontal frame and operationally connected to that frame. The locking assemblies of the first support assembly secure the first end of the container and the locking assemblies of the second support assembly secure the second end of the container. The engine moves the main cylinders of the first and second support assemblies from their retracted positions to their extended positions to lift the container, and, when the engine then causes the wheels of the first support assembly to rotate, both first and second support assemblies move the container.

The first support assembly may be a tractor. The first support assembly may include drive wheels carried by its horizontal frame and movable between an engaged position against the wheels and a disengaged position away from the wheels, the engine being in operative connection with the drive wheels and thereby causing the drive wheels to move between their engaged position and their disengaged position and to rotate so that the wheels rotate to move the container. The first support assembly may also include a castor wheel carried by its horizontal frame and that is pivotable about a vertical axis. Castor wheel has a ground-engaging position and an elevated position. The engine operates the castor wheel to cause it to pivot left and right and to move between its ground-engaging and its elevated positions. Controls enable a user to steer the first support assembly by moving the castor wheel to its ground-engaging position and pivoting the castor wheel left and right.

The first and second support assemblies further comprise at least one telescoping locking arm pivotally connected between the horizontal frame and the vertical frame of the first and second support assemblies, respectively. The locking arm telescopes as the main cylinder of the first or second support assembly moves from the retracted position to the extended position. The locking arm may be locked in the extended position.

In the present system, the vertical frame of the first and second support assemblies carries first and second guides dimensioned to be wider than the ends of the container so that, when the vertical frame of the first (or second) support assembly is being positioned for attachment to the end of the container, the first and second guides of the first (or second) support assembly guide the end of the container into position with respect to the first support assembly.

In the present system, the locking assemblies of the first and second support assemblies further comprise four locks each, one set of locking assemblies will secure the vertical frame of the first support assembly to each corner of the first end of the container. Locking assemblies may be pneumatic locks or mechanical or a combination of each in one set.

In the present system, the engine of the tractor operates an air pump to provide compressed air for the air cylinders that control the locking mechanisms and hydraulic pressure for moving the main (lifting) cylinders from the retracted positions to the extended positions for lifting the container.

In the present system, the support assembly has drive wheels carried by the horizontal frame and movable between an engaged position against the ground-engaging wheels and a disengaged position away from the ground-engaging wheels. The engine operating through its air pump and an air cylinder cause the drive wheels to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position and to rotate so that the ground engaging wheels rotate to move the support assembly into position with respect to the container.

These and other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of transportation equipment and requirements from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments, accompanied by the following drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present system relates to hauling shipping containers. Shipping containers are standardized containers for intermodal shipping. However, the present invention can be readily adapted to work with any type of container that is sufficiently rigid to serve as a trailer when supported from its opposing ends.

While shipping containers are standardized, there are several different standards for shipping containers. An example of one international standard for a type of shipping container is found at ISC 52, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. For convenience, the term “container” by itself will refer to a “shipping container” that is, in particular, a large rigid, metal box, without wheels or a suspension system, and used for containing a quantity of freight for transport by truck, by railroad, or by ship.

Referring now toFIG. 1, the present system includes two major components, a front or first support assembly20and a rear or second support assembly30. The first and second support assemblies,20,30cooperate with each other to lift the opposing first and second ends of a shipping container50, respectively. At least one of first or second support assemblies must be self-propelled—a tractor40, for example, may comprise much of first support assembly20—to haul container50without a trailer from the point of pick up to a destination. Tractor40includes wheels46and an engine48and an air pump (not shown) powered by the engine to provide compressed air. Tractor40is a typical tractor, including wheels, an engine and air pump, except for specific additions as will be described below. The destination may be close by, such as from dockside to a staging area at the same port facility, or to a much more distant location. The container in effect becomes its own trailer, supporting itself and its contents between first and second support assemblies20,30.

Self-propelled and non-self-propelled embodiments of second support assembly30may be used with a given first support assembly20. A self-propelled second support assembly30may be used with a tractor40, for example. InFIG. 1, second support assembly30is self-propelled; that is, it can also move itself and container50without tractor (but requires a second support unit, either self-propelled or not self-propelled, at the opposing end of that container50to lift that end.

The term tractor refers to a heavy-duty vehicle built for hauling loads, with a cab42from which a driver operates the controls of the vehicle that are in operative connection with engine48and wheels46, and which includes a fifth wheel44mounted behind cab42on the tractor's frame. Engine48provides motive power but also drives a pump (not shown) driven to produce hydraulic pressure to power the hydraulic cylinders.

Referring now toFIGS. 2,3and4, first support assembly20, shown in side view, engages the front portion of container50. InFIG. 2, first support assembly20has lifted container50above the surface60of the ground, staging area, or road, whereas, inFIG. 3, first support assembly20has lowered container50onto surface60.FIG. 4is a perspective front right-side view of first support assembly20shown lifting container50.

First support assembly20includes a horizontal frame100carried by and secured to fifth wheel44. Horizontal frame100supports a main cylinder104, which pivotally attaches to vertical frame110on one end and horizontal frame100on the other. Main cylinder104has a retracted position and an extended position. Vertical frame110engages container50and secures to the bottom and top corners118of container50using locking assemblies114, which may be mechanical locks or pneumatic or hydrulic locks or may be a combination of mechanical and pneumatic/hydraulic locks. Guides116carried by both sides of vertical frame110near its top corners118help to center container50with respect to vertical frame110.

Pivoting frame102includes two telescoping, pivoting locking arms120on either side of main cylinder104. Locking arms120pivotally attach to horizontal frame100at one end and vertical frame102at the other end. Locking arms120secure vertical frame110at the desired height after main cylinder104has raised vertical frame110(and, with it, container50) to the desired height above surface60. As main cylinder104extends from its retracted position to its extended position, locking arms120extend telescopically with it, that is, the inner arms130of locking arms120slide out of the outer arms132. When main cylinder104moves to its retracted position from its extended position, locking arms120follow and container50lowers to surface60. Pins124inserted in pivoting locking arms120hold inner arms130in that extended position with respect to outer arms132thereby allowing the release of the air pressure provided to main cylinder104so that its load transfers from main cylinder104to locking arms120.

To lower container50, main cylinder104first extends slightly to take up the load on static arms120. When pins124are pulled from locking arms120, main cylinder104retracts, and locking arms120follow, with inner arms130moving into outer arms132. As main cylinder104extends and retracts, vertical frame110raises and lowers, respectively. Main cylinder104derives hydraulic pressure so it can extend from the pump carried by tractor40.

FIG. 5is a side view of the non-self-propelled embodiment of second support assembly30, partially cut away to show it in detail. Second support assembly30holds the second end of container50above surface60inFIG. 5. Unlike first support assembly20which includes a tractor40with its own wheels, second support assembly30includes a wheel assembly140operatively connected to its horizontal frame144. Horizontal frame144connects to a vertical frame148that engages second end of container154and is secured to it by using locking assemblies150. Locking assemblies150are similar to locking assemblies114that hold first end of container50to first support assembly20, shown inFIG. 4.

To raise vertical frame148, air bags160receive compressed air from the air pump of tractor40. Compressed air flows through hoses162from the pump of tractor to an air tank164. The compressed air from air tank164is distributed by a manifold166to both air brakes (not shown) associated with wheels142and to air bags160to raise horizontal frame144and, with it, vertical frame148. Lowering vertical frame148requires opening an air release valve170to vent air from air bags160.

A handle172attaches to second support assembly30for use in manually moving second support assembly30into engagement with container50. Alternatively, second support assembly30may have a small electric drive motor mounted proximate to wheels142and a steering mechanism to assist control and reduce the effort of maneuvering assembly30. In another embodiment, second support assembly30may have two pair of wheels142on separate axels for supporting larger or heavier containers50.

FIGS. 6A-6Cillustrate in detail a locking assembly180, which is identical to locking assemblies114on lower corner112of container50, briefly described above. Locking assembly180is next to a corner152of container50. Corner152is defined by a pillar156that is partially cut away to show its interior. There is a keyed hole158formed in the outside surface of pillar156.

At the bottom of vertical frame190, which is similar to vertical frames110and148, is a hook192with a slot194and a hole196above slot194. A receiver200couples hook192to vertical frame190and pillar156. Receiver200has an open front side210, two adjacent, opposing locking sides212,214, and a closed back216that carries a heavy pin218with a transverse hole220formed in it. Heavy pin218and transverse hole220are visible through the cutaway portion of pillar156inFIG. 6A. Heavy pin218is inserted in a hole (not visible) formed in the outside surface of pillar156on the side adjacent to the side having keyed hole158and which faces vertical frame190. Once heavy pin218of receiver200seats fully in pillar156, hook192may be passed through open side210of receiver200and pinned by receiver pins230,232. Receiver pin230passes through holes234,238in locking sides212,214as well as well as slot194. Receiver pin232passes through holes238,240in locking sides212,214as well as hole196. Finally, a locking pin250inserts into keyed hole160past keyed flange260, and is rotated a quarter turn, using its handle262, to cause keyed flange260to lock locking pin250in pillar156and transverse hole218of heavy pin218. Vertical frame190is then securely attached to pillar156and thus to container50.

FIGS. 7,8and9show a mobile or self-propelled second support assembly270. Support assembly270is shown lifting container50above the surface60and able to move container50. Support assembly270includes a frame278riding on two pair of wheels280connected to a standard double-axle configuration (not shown) typical of trailers that haul heavy loads. Wheels280are driven by drive wheels284(left drive wheel284is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8and both left and right drive wheels284are shown inFIG. 9but right drive wheel284is a mirror image of the left one inFIGS. 7 and 8).

Drive wheels284have an engaged position against wheels280(FIG. 7) and a disengaged position in which they are raised above wheels280(FIG. 8). When drive wheels284are in their engaged positions and rotated, they in turn rotate wheels280to move support assembly270. Drive wheels284ride up and down vertical masts286, urged by hydraulic rams (not shown inFIGS. 7-9), to disengage and engage wheels280, respectively.FIG. 7shows the up and down movement of drive wheels284in dashed lines and, when in the engaged position, their ability to rotate wheels280. For example, counter-clockwise movement of drive wheels284cause clockwise movements of both wheels280; clockwise movement of drive wheels284causes counter-clockwise movement of wheels280.

Second support assembly270includes a castor wheel288for steering assembly270. Castor wheel288can be rotated to the left or right about a vertical axis to steer second support assembly left or right, and it can be moved up to a elevated position or down to a surface-engaging position for steering. Castor wheel288moves up and down on a mast292when lifted by a castor cylinder294in a manner similar to that of mast286for drive wheels284, and turns left and right by pivoting a horizontal pivot plate296(FIG. 8) moved by a steering cylinder300. Pivot plate296attaches to axle plates302that straddle castor wheel and provide a bearing surface for its axle304.

In order to grip and hold container50, second support assembly270has a vertical frame306that engages container50securing it at the top with pneumatic or hydraulic locks310(FIG. 7; see alsoFIG. 4, top) and at the bottom by locking assemblies312(FIG. 7), both as previously described. Container50is lifted using main cylinder314that is pivotally attached at one end to frame278and at the other end of vertical frame306. As main cylinder314extends, it lifts container50up from surface274.

Second support assembly270includes a seat318for a driver and various controls316, best seen inFIG. 9. See alsoFIG. 10. These various controls316operate an engine320housed within horizontal frame278that drives a pump321(also housed within frame278) for the various cylinders of second support assembly270, and open and close various valves to drive air into these cylinders or release air from the cylinders. When air enters one end of an air cylinder, its ram extends; when the air enters the other end and is released from the first, its arm retracts into the cylinder, as is well known. In order to simplify the drawings,FIG. 10shows a schematic diagram of the control system of second support assembly270.

As seen inFIGS. 9 and 10, axle lift cylinder320, operated by lever340, moves rear axle up and down; castor wheel cylinder322, operated by lever342, moves castor wheel288up and down; steering cylinder324, operated by lever344, moves castor wheel288left and right; main cylinder326, operated by lever346moves main cylinder308from its retracted to its extended position (and container50moves down and up, respectively); left drive wheel cylinder328, operated by left drive wheel cylinder348, moves left drive wheel284up and down; right drive wheel cylinder330, operated by right drive wheel lever350, moves right drive wheel284up and down; drive control cylinder332, operated by drive control lever352, moves second support assembly270forward and reverse; left locking assembly cylinder334, operated by left locking assembly lever366, locks and unlocks the left locking assembly310; right locking assembly cylinder336, operated by right locking assembly lever368, locks and unlock right locking assembly310.

An ignition switch356for starting and stopping engine358, and a manual valve360for raising and lowering the suspension of rear support unit270are also on control panel354.

FIG. 11illustrates an alternative securement for the lower portion of a container400. In this embodiment an adaptor402with a pin404is inserted into the hole406in the lower left and right corners408(lower right corner not shown). Pin404is carried on a plate410that may be at least one foot and preferably 18 inches high. The opposing side of plate410has a pin412that extends away from container400and will serve as a handle for lifting container400. Pin412is mounted toward the upper end of plate410and pin404is located toward the bottom of plate410.

The vertical frame420(only a portion of which is shown inFIG. 11) has an extension422on each side (only the extension on the left side is shown inFIG. 11) that are just lateral to container400when container400is centered between left and right extensions422. Extensions422have a notch424dimensioned to receive pin412. As either the mobile unit moves toward the back end of trailer400or the tractor backs toward the front end of trainer400, extensions422eclipse the sides of the container400and seat pins404into notches424thus holding plates410to the sides of container400and pins404in the holes406of container400and also gripping container for lifting.

FIGS. 12A and 12Billustrate an alternative steering arrangement. InFIGS. 12A and 12B, a set of wheels430of the dual wheel carriage of the mobile unit is made to be steerable. Wheels430are pivotally attached to axle432and to a tie rod434. An air cylinder436is mounted in parallel to tie rod434and connected by a link438so that the movement of the rod440is transferred via link438to movement of tie rod434and thus causes pivoting of both wheels. Only a small amount of movement of wheels is needed to enable them to cause the mobile unit to change direction.

Those skilled in the art of hauling shipping containers will appreciate that likely many modifications and substitutions can be made to the foregoing embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.