Storage system for cargo container trailers

A storage structure is provided with a plurality of vertically, horizontally and longitudinally spaced support pads which form a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced, elongated floors for supporting a plurality of cargo container trailers. The longitudinal passageway between adjacent horizontally separated floors freely receives a pair of vertically telescoping stabilizer masts mounted upon a powered vehicle, the front and rear wheels of one side of which are receivable in a longitudinal vehicle guide at the bottom of the storage structure. The upper ends of the masts are receivable in a longitudinal mast guide at the top of the storage structure, whereby the masts are supported in vertical position. An elevator, movable vertically between the masts and horizontally through the longitudinal passageway, is arranged to pick up a cargo container trailer and elevate it to and lower from a desired one of the floors of the storage structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to cargo container trailers of the wheeled type that 
are releasably connected to a tractor, as by a fifth wheel coupling, for 
movement over the highways, and more particularly to a system for storing 
such trailers when not in transit. 
It is the prevailing practice to store such trailers in rather random 
fashion, at the loading and unloading sites of truck and railroad 
terminals. Because of the large size of such trailers and the large 
numbers of them involved in the transport of goods, those not in transit 
at any given location take up excessive amounts of valuable space and 
present obstructions there to the normal movement of traffic. Moreover, 
being scattered at random in such manner in areas generally accessible to 
the public, they are easily stolen. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In its basic concept, this invention provides a cargo container storage 
system in which a storage structure is provided with vertically spaced 
pairs of floors separated horizontally to accommodate longitudinal 
movement therebetween of a vehicle-mounted vertical mast stabilized at its 
upper end by a mast guide fixed to the storage structure, the vehicle also 
mounting trailer support mechanism for elevating a trailer to and lowering 
it from the storage floors. 
It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal objective 
of this invention is achieved; namely to overcome the aforementioned 
disadvantages and limitations of prior trailer storage procedures. 
Another object of this invention is the provision of a storage system of 
the class described which is compact in construction, providing for the 
storage of a large number of trailers in a minimum of space. 
A further object of this invention is the provision of a storage system of 
the class described which is of simplified construction for economical 
manufacture. 
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will 
appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with 
the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The storage system of this invention is intended for use primarily for the 
storage of cargo container trailers of the wheeled type. As illustrated, 
such trailers include a cargo container 10 supported at its rearward end 
by laterally spaced tandem wheels 12 and at its forward end by laterally 
spaced, vertically adjustable jack stands 14. A fifth wheel coupling (not 
shown) is provided at the forward end of the container for detachable 
connection to a tractor by which the trailer is moved over the roads to 
and from railroad flat cars upon which they are placed for long distance 
transport. 
The storage system of this invention includes a storage structure for 
supporting a plurality of cargo container trailers. As illustrated, the 
storage structure includes a framework made up of a multiplicity of 
vertical beams 16 which are spaced apart longitudinally and laterally and 
are interconnected at their upper ends by longitudinal and transverse 
beams 18 and 20, respectively. The lower ends of the vertical beams 
preferably are anchored in the bottom floor of the structure. 
Conveniently, this floor may be provided by the concrete or macadam deck 
of the truck or railroad terminal at which the system is to be employed. 
The storage structure is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced 
pairs of horizontally spaced floors upon which to support a plurality of 
trailers. In the embodiment illustrated, each floor is formed of a 
plurality of longitudinally spaced support pads 22 mounted on the vertical 
beams 16. The plurality of pads disposed in the same plane and in a single 
longitudinal row thus form an elongated floor. Adjacent pads serve to 
support longitudinally spaced portions of the trailer. In the embodiment 
illusted, each pair of adjacent pads are arranged to support the rear 
wheels 12 and front jack stands 14, respectively, of a trailer. 
Laterally adjacent pairs of pads at each of the vertical levels terminate 
at their inner, confronting ends 24 in laterally spaced apart condition, 
to provide an elongated central passageway which extends the full length 
and vertical height of the assembly of adjacent pairs of floors. 
The storage structure illustrated provides three sets of laterally spaced 
pairs of floors. The floors intermediate the outboard sides of the 
structure are formed of pads which extend laterally to opposite sides of 
the supporting vertical beams 16. It will be understood, of course, that 
the storage structure may be formed of but a single pair of laterally 
spaced floors, by limiting the width of the framework. 
The storage system includes a powered vehicle comprising a chassis 26 
supported on laterally spaced front and rear wheels 28 and 30, 
respectively, powered by an engine 32. The vehicle chassis mounts the 
lower sections 34 of a pair of vertically elongated, hollow telescoping 
stabilizer masts. To further secure the masts to the chassis, bracing 36 
is anchored to the lower sections of the masts and to the chassis. 
Additional support is given by a wall 38 interconnecting the masts the 
full height of the lower sections, the wall being secured to the chassis 
behind the masts. 
Each mast includes an elongated inner section 40 received telescopically 
within the outer section 34. The inner section of each mast is extendable 
vertically relative to the outer section by any well known conventional 
means. In the embodiment illustrated, a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 42 
is mounted within each mast, bearing at its upper end against the upper 
end of mast section 40. As the piston-cylinder unit is extended, the inner 
mast section is moved vertically upward. The limit of maximum extension of 
the mast assembly is reached when flanges (not shown) on the lower end of 
the inner mast section engage cooperating flanges of the upper end of the 
outer section. 
Guide means is provided for supporting the upper ends of the extended 
stabilizer masts by the storage structure as the vehicle and mast assembly 
is moved through the central passageway between the laterally spaced 
floors. This prevents the elevator and vehicle assembly from tipping over 
when a cargo container trailer is lifted by the elevator, as explained 
more fully hereinafter. In the embodiment illustrated, a longitudinally 
elongated hollow housing 44 is affixed to the top of the inner section of 
each mast. The housing mounts a pair of longitudinally spaced guide 
rollers 46 for rotation about vertical axes 48. 
The rollers project laterally beyond the opposite sides of the housing 44 
for rolling contact with one of the other of the laterally spaced side 
walls of the elongated mast guide 50. As illustrated, the mast guide is 
substantially U-shaped in cross section and is secured to the underside of 
the transverse beams 20 of the storage structure. Each mast guide is 
disposed parallel to the associated longitudinal passageway defined 
between adjacent floors of the storage structure. 
The mast guide projects beyond at least one of the longitudinal ends of the 
storage structure a distance sufficient to support the top housings 44 of 
the stabilizer mast while the vehicle is positioned outside the structure 
where it is capable of engaging and lifting a cargo trailer. The bottom 
sides of the mast guide 50 are flared outward to facilitate entry of the 
housing 44. A truss assembly 52 is provided to strengthen this outwardly 
projecting portion of each mast guide. 
Since the mast assemblies are anchored rigidly to the chassis of the 
vehicle, lateral adjustment of the upper ends of the masts is provided 
through use of hydraulic jacks 54 (FIG. 6) anchored to the front and rear 
axles 56 of the vehicle. The jacks are connected to a source of hydraulic 
fluid under pressure in such manner as to provide for extension and 
retraction of each jack, and also to provide for free floating movement of 
each jack, as discussed hereinafter. 
The chassis is mounted pivotally to each axle 56 by shaft 58 
interconnecting the axle and the chassis support plate 60 at each of the 
chassis 26. As illustrated in FIG. 6 an abutment 62 is provided on each 
support plate 60 for the axle jacks to bear against. The primary weight of 
the vehicle rests on these jacks 54, thus relieving substantial stress on 
the shafts 58 and their support bearings. Extension or retraction of the 
jacks on one side of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle provides 
lateral tilting of the chassis 26 and corresponding lateral tilting of the 
mast, to effect alignment of the mast guide housings 44 with the mast 
guide 50 of the storage structure. 
Elongated U-shaped tracks 64, 64' are disposed parallel to each other along 
the ground adjacent each of the longitudinal passageways. Each of these 
tracks is arranged selectively to receive the front and rear wheels on one 
side of the vehicle. These provide three main functions: First, they serve 
to steer the vehicle as it moves along the passageway. Secondly, they 
assure approximate vertical alignment of the vehicle with the mast guides. 
Lastly, they provide a consistent path of movement along the passageway, 
thus assuring proper positioning of the cargo trailers on the pads. 
Means for lifting a cargo container trailer is provided through use of an 
elevator on the vehicle positioned between the guide masts. The elevator 
includes a roof 66, sides 68, and a floor 70. The elevator mounts trailer 
support mechanism which, as illustrated, includes a pair of longitudinally 
spaced hydraulic end units, the cylinders of which are contained within 
the square tubings 72 anchored to the floor of the elevator. The piston 
rods of the units are contained in square tubings 74 which telescope 
within the tubings 72 and extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle 
for extension outwardly beyond the side of the vehicle and for retraction 
to a point adjacent and preferably within the margin of the side of the 
vehicle. The outer end of each piston rod tubing mounts an L-shaped 
bracket 76 configured to engage the confronting lower inner corner of a 
cargo trailer positioned adjacent the vehicle. This corner is defined by 
the bottom and side walls of the trailer. 
Intermediate the pair of longitudinally spaced piston-cylinder end units is 
mounted a pair of hydraulic piston-cylinder center units. Each is confined 
in a plurality of telescoping square tubular sections 78 sufficient to 
extend laterally from a fully retracted position adjacent the side of the 
vehicle to a position adjacent the outer side of the trailer. The 
outermost telescoping sections 78' of the center units mount L-shaped 
brackets 80 configured to engage the outer bottom corner of a container 
trailer 10. 
The innermost section 78" of each center unit is mounted at its outer end, 
i.e. at the end adjacent the side of the vehicle, to the elevator floor on 
a pivot bearing 82. The opposite, inner end is connected by pivot 84 to 
the lower end of a vertically extending piston-cylinder unit 86. The upper 
end of each unit 86 is connected by pivot 88 to the roof of the elevator. 
Activating these units 86 provides vertical tilting of the sections 78 of 
the center trailer support units, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, 
sufficient for the brackets 80 to pass under the pair of laterally spaced, 
longitudinally extending reinforcing beams 90 that project downward from 
the floor of the container trailer. 
Rigidly attached to the sides of the elevator are two U-shaped vertical 
slide tracks 92. Two complementing U-shaped slide tracks 94 are anchored 
to the chassis and wall 38 by side plates 96. Reinforcing braces 98 are 
provided for the plates 96. 
Means is provided for raising and lowering the elevator. As illustrated, a 
pair of elevator lift masts 100 are disposed between the associated pair 
of slide tracks 92 and 94, for vertical movement relative thereto. 
Lubrication pads 102 are provided between the masts and slide tracks, and 
also between the stabilizing mast sections 34 and 40. 
The elevator lift masts are connected together at their upper limits by 
cross beam 104. The cross beam mounts chain pulleys 106 supported 
rotatably on shafts 108 disposed in line with chain securing brackets 110 
mounted on the elevator roof. Lifting chains 112 depend from the pulleys 
106 and one stretch of the chains extend downward through openings in the 
elevator roof and floor and are secured to chassis brackets 114. The other 
stretch of the chains are secured to the chain brackets 110 located on the 
roof of the elevator. 
Intermediate the center trailer support units 78 and centered under the 
elevator cross beam 104, openings are provided through the elevator roof 
and floor. The cylinder 116 of an elongated hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 
is rigidly mounted to the chassis 26 such that it extends vertically 
upward freely through the elevator. The piston rod 118 of said cylinder is 
anchored to the center of the underside of the cross beam 104, as 
illustrated. 
An operator compartment 120 is secured to and movable with the elevator and 
contains the controls for operation of the mobile elevator. The 
compartment is secured to the elevator by pivot shaft 124. Lateral 
movement of the compartment is provided by an hydraulic piston-cylinder 
unit 126, one end of which is anchored to a pivot 128 on the elevator, the 
other end being anchored to a pivot 130 at a point on the arm 122. This 
provision of lateral movement of the compartment affords the operator full 
view of the loading and unloading operation as it is in progress. 
The operation of the storage system described hereinbefore is as follows: 
With the stabilizer mast sections 40 fully retracted and the 
piston-cylinder units 74,78 also fully retracted, the vehicle is moved 
into proximity with the storage structure, longitudinally outward of the 
desired passageway between the horizontally spaced floors to be loaded 
with cargo container trailers. The mast sections 40 are then raised by 
extension of the hydraulic piston-cylinder units 42 until the longitudinal 
housings 44 are slightly below the elevation of the associated mast guides 
50. The vehicle is maneuvered to engage the front and rear wheels at the 
appropriate side of the vehicle in the corresponding bottom guide track 
64, or 64'. The vertical disposition of the mast sections 40 then is 
adjusted, by operation of the piston-cylinder units 42 and jacks 54, to 
bring the housings 44 into the guide track 50. The flared bottom opening 
of the guide track 50 in this area assists in this operation. 
Jacks 54 now are adjusted to the floating condition referred to 
hereinbefore, to allow free pivotal movement of chassis 26 and elevator 
and mast assembly, to accommodate variations in the floor as the vehicle 
is moved into the storage structure. 
With the container support units 72, 78 fully retracted, a cargo container 
trailer is moved into position closely adjacent the corresponding side of 
the vehicle (FIG. 1). This is achieved by operation of a tractor connected 
to the trailer, as will be understood. 
The longitudinally spaced pair of piston-cylinder end units 72 are then 
extended laterally outward and, if necessary the elevator is raised, as 
required to bring the clamping bracket 76 into engagement with the bottom 
inboard corners of the container (FIG. 6). The center piston-cylinder 
units 78 may be tilted downwardly to provide clearance of the bottom of 
the trailer and then the center units are extended until the clamping 
brackets 80 at the outer end of the outer section are slightly outboard of 
the outer bottom corner of the container trailer. The center 
piston-cylinder units are then tilted upward to a horizontal position 
against the bottom outside corner of the trailer and retracted 
sufficiently to bring the brackets 80 into clamping engagement with the 
outboard corner of the trailer. The container thus is secured firmly by 
the four point supports of the two longitudinally spaced outboard brackets 
80 and the two longitudinally spaced inboard brackets 76. 
The elevator then is extended vertically upward by operation of the 
elevator piston-cylinder unit 116, 118 against the elevator cross beam 
104. As will be understood, the elevator rises twice the distance as the 
elevator lifting assembly by the pulley arrangement of the chains. The 
elevator is raised until the container trailer is slightly above the level 
of the floor upon which it is to be deposited for storage. During this 
lifting operation, the mast and the vehicle supporting it is prevented 
from tipping over sideways, due to the weight of the container, by virtue 
of the support of the upper end of the mast 40 by the guide track 50 
secured at the top of the storage structure. The vehicle then is driven 
into the storage structure to the desired position for deposit of the 
container. The operator then lowers the elevator sufficiently to deposit 
the wheels and jacks of the trailer upon the floor pads. 
The container trailer engagement procedure is then reversed and the support 
cylinders are fully retracted to permit movement of the vehicle through 
the passageway of the storage structure preliminary to picking up a 
subsequent cargo container trailer. 
When the elevated floors at one side of the storage unit have been filled 
with trailers, the vehicle is turned around, end for end, so that the 
support cylinders and clamp brackets face in the opposite lateral 
direction. The front and rear wheels on the same side of the vehicle are 
positioned in the other guide track located on the floor of the structure, 
to align the stabilizer mast with the mast guide 50. The elevated floors 
of the storage unit on that side of the passageway then may be filled with 
trailers, in the same manner as previously described. 
With all of the elevated floors of a unit thus having been filled with 
trailers for storage, additional trailers may be stored at ground level, 
vertically below the elevated floors, simply by moving the trailers into 
the storage unit by means of a tractor. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be 
made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of parts described 
hereinbefore, without departing from the spirit of this invention and the 
scope of the appended claims.