Patent ID: 7287953

Claim:
A method for loading and unloading a long-distance transportation means and for temporarily storing cargo in an intermediate storage facility, comprising the steps of: a) identifying a cargo of a first long-distance transportation means; b) lifting the cargo by a first rail-guided hoist with gripper from the first long-distance transportation means; c) transferring the cargo to a predetermined site of a stationary transfer zone; d) lowering and depositing the cargo at the predetermined site of the transfer zone; e) lifting and automatically transferring the cargo from the predetermined site of the transfer zone by a shiftable and/or telescopic arm of a second rail-guided hoist to a predetermined location in an intermediate storage facility for storage; f) lowering and depositing the cargo in the intermediate storage facility; g) automatically moving the second hoist to a predetermined location of the intermediate storage facility; h) lifting and automatically withdrawing the cargo by the shiftable and/or telescopic arm of the second hoist from the predetermined location in the intermediate storage facility and automatically transferring the cargo to a predetermined location in the transfer zone; i) lowering and depositing the cargo in the transfer zone at a corresponding predetermined location on a rail-guided second long-distance transportation means; and j) lifting the cargo by the first hoist from the predetermined location in the transfer zone for placement onto the corresponding predetermined location on the rail-guided second long-distance transportation means.