A collapsible intermodal transport platform and methods for its operation are disclosed. The invention comprises structural ribbings that rotate about an axle disposed beneath the loading surface of the platform. The ribbings are positioned along the platform so as to provide lifting and stacking fi
A collapsible intermodal transport platform and methods for its operation are disclosed. The invention comprises structural ribbings that rotate about an axle disposed beneath the loading surface of the platform. The ribbings are positioned along the platform so as to provide lifting and stacking fitments at the standard overhead crane lifting points when in a lift configuration. The ribbings may be rotated inboard down to the loading surface, thereby presenting stacking blocks at the crane lifting points for stacking several platforms together. Alternatively, the ribbings may be rotated outboard to accommodate full size loading of cargo. The ribbings are rotated under electric or hydraulic power, according to the various embodiments disclosed. Other features and aspects disclosed lend to the invention's low weight and high carrying capacity, as well as its unique load securing features.
대표청구항▼
1. A transport platform having a substantially rectangular loading surface, the transport platform comprising: a frame on which the loading surface is disposed;a plurality of first braces, each first brace having a first end attached to the frame at a first distance from a longitudinal centerline of
1. A transport platform having a substantially rectangular loading surface, the transport platform comprising: a frame on which the loading surface is disposed;a plurality of first braces, each first brace having a first end attached to the frame at a first distance from a longitudinal centerline of the transport platform and a second end extending from and rotatable about the first end, each first brace rotatable between a stowed position at which the second end of each first brace is proximate to the loading surface, and a lift position at which the second end of each first brace is elevated from the loading surface; anda locking mechanism associated with each first brace, wherein each locking mechanism is disposed along the frame at a second distance from the longitudinal centerline of the transport platform;wherein each locking mechanism is capable of alternatively locking one of the plurality of first braces into the stowed position and the lift position. 2. The transport platform of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a crossmember extending parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the transport platform at the second distance from either side of said centerline. 3. The transport platform of claim 1, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. 4. The transport platform of claim 1, wherein each locking mechanism comprises a locking pin disposed within a housing, the locking pin having a fixed travel distance between a locked and an unlocked position. 5. The transport platform of claim 4, wherein each locking mechanism further comprises a handle for moving the locking pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. 6. The transport platform of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of second braces, each second brace having a proximal end attached to the second end of one of the plurality of first braces, and a distal end extending from the proximal end. 7. The transport platform of claim 6, wherein the distal end of each second brace comprises a wheel, the wheel having a center hole through which the locking pin is inserted to lock the first brace attached to the second brace in the lift position. 8. The transport platform of claim 7, further comprising a rail along which the wheel travels as the first brace attached to the second brace rotates from the lift position to the stowed position. 9. The transport platform of claim 1, wherein each first brace is further rotatable to an extended load position at which the second end of each first brace is further from the longitudinal centerline of the transport platform than the first end of the first brace. 10. The transport platform of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an axle that is connected to the first end of one of the plurality of first braces on one side of the loading surface and to the first end of another of the plurality of first braces on the other side of the loading surface. 11. The transport platform of claim 10, wherein rotation of the axle causes each first brace attached to the axle to move between the stowed position and the lift position. 12. The transport platform of claim 11, further comprising a motor connected to the axle for use in rotating the axle. 13. The transport platform of claim 12, further comprising an electrical control unit operably connected to the transport platform for remotely operating the motor by way of further connection to one of a truck battery or a forklift battery. 14. A transport platform having a substantially rectangular loading surface, the transport platform comprising: a frame on which the loading surface is disposed;a plurality of first braces, each first brace having a first end attached to the frame and a second end extending from and rotatable about the first end, each first brace rotatable between a stowed position at which the second end is proximate to the loading surface, and a lift position at which the second end supports a first lifting fitment a set horizontal distance from a longitudinal centerline of the loading surface; and,a stacking block mounted to each first brace such that, upon rotating the plurality of first braces into the stowed position, each stacking block provides a second lifting fitment at the same set horizontal distance from the longitudinal centerline of the loading surface. 15. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein each stacking block is pivotable between a stacking block service position at which it extends parallel with the first brace to which it is attached, and a stacking block non-service position at which it extends away from the first brace to which it is attached. 16. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein each stacking block is slideable along a track disposed on the first brace to which the stacking block is mounted. 17. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein each stacking block further comprises a male fitment capable of being disposed over the second lifting fitment. 18. The transport platform of claim 17, wherein the male fitment is pivotable between a male fitment service position at which it is disposed over the top surface of the second lifting fitment, and a male fitment non-service position at which it does not obstruct the top surface of the second lifting fitment. 19. The transport platform of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of stacking block retainers at the set horizontal distance from the longitudinal centerline of the loading surface. 20. The transport platform of claim 19, wherein the male fitment may be inserted into and fixed to one of the plurality of stacking block retainers of a second transport platform. 21. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein the set horizontal distance is approximately twenty feet. 22. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein the frame comprises an axle that is connected to the first end of one of the plurality of first braces on one side of the loading surface and to the first end of another of the plurality of first braces on the other side of the loading surface. 23. The transport platform of claim 22, wherein the axle is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the loading surface at a distance greater than the set horizontal distance. 24. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein each first brace is also rotatable to an extended load position at which the second end of the first brace is further from the longitudinal centerline of the loading surface than the first end of the first brace. 25. The transport platform of claim 14, wherein each first lifting fitment provides a first upward-facing attachment for use by an overhead lift when the plurality of first braces are in the lift position and each second lifting fitment provides a second upward-facing attachment for use by an overhead lift when the plurality of first braces are in the stowed position. 26. A transport platform comprising: a loading surface having two ends and two sides;a rigid end wall extending across at least a portion of the loading surface, the end wall rotatable between a service position where it extends substantially perpendicular from the loading surface, and a non-service position where it lies substantially flat against the loading surfacewherein the end wall is alternatively positionable at a first position that is a first distance from a longitudinal centerline of the loading surface and a second position that is a second distance from the longitudinal centerline of the loading surface. 27. The transport platform of claim 26, wherein the end wall is composed of a mesh material that allows air to pass through the end wall when the end wall is in the service position. 28. The transport platform of claim 26, wherein the end wall is adjustable between a first height and a second height. 29. The transport platform of claim 28, wherein the end wall comprises a piano hinge separating an upper portion of the end wall from a lower portion of the end wall. 30. The transport platform of claim 28, wherein the end wall comprises: a lower portion;an upper portion; and,a track fixed to the lower portion upon which the upper portion may slide to extend away from the lower portion. 31. The transport platform of claim 26, further comprising chains for securing extending edges of the end wall to the loading surface when the end wall is in the service position.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (22)
Clive-Smith, Martin; Jones, Christopher John, Adjustable post for container.
Sadkin, Howard Sidney; Sadkin, Lawrence Alan; Sadkin, Martin Jay; Lowry, III, Joseph McDonald; Jones, Thomas Richard; Johnson, Travis Robert; Marmon, Thomas Ross; Miller, Thomas James; Schenck, Eric Christopher, Collapsible shipping container.
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