Mi-Jack Products, Inc.

Other

John J Lanigan, Jr

John J Lanigan, Sr

Myron Glickman

William P Lanigan

Michael T Lanigan

James A Baumann

Peter W Mirabella

Bernard A Ermel

Antonio Carlos Callado De Souza

Ken Svihlik

Daniel B Zakula

Daniel Brian Zakula, Sr

Ralph M Swanson

Eric Brian Van Gorp

James Thomas Russo

William C Healy

Richard J Marec

A method for storing an empty trailer chassis includes positioning a trailer chassis between a first and a second vertical storage rack and lowering first and second stabilizing beams along the vertical storage racks toward the trailer chassis. The first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys are attached to the respective first and second stabilizing beams and a spreader extends between the first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys. The spreader contains a chassis clamping mechanism that forms a downward-facing portion of the spreader. The chassis clamping mechanism is disposed below the first and second stabilizing beams. The method further includes engaging the trailer chassis with the chassis clamping mechanism. The first and second stabilizing beams are above the trailer chassis when the chassis-clamping mechanism has engaged the trailer chassis.

Chassis stacker

A method () for handling chassis is disclosed. The method () can include: providing () a multi-level structure including a plurality of levels including a first level with an opening to receive a chassis and a second level; locating () a plurality of shelves adjacent to the opening including a port shelf and a starboard shelf, each configured to receive a chassis; and providing () an transfer mechanism configured to pick a chassis and place it on one of the plurality of shelves. The method allows compact storage, stacking and retrieving and inventorying of chassis, for enhanced logistics.

System and method of handling chassis

A chassis stacker having a first and a second vertical storage rack displaced from one another by a distance wide enough to accommodate a trailer chassis, and connected at a top end by a trolley rail support beam. A trolley is positioned on the trolley rail support beam, said trolley having an elevation system capable of raising and lowering a first and a second stabilizing beam that are suspended from the trolley and guided in their vertical motion by low-friction, storage-rack contact members attached at respective first and second ends of the elevating structure, said contact members in contact with an inner surface of the respective first and second vertical storage racks. A first and a second stabilizing-beam trolley is attached to the, respective, first and second stabilizing beams while a spreader containing a chassis-clamping mechanism extends between and attaches to the first and the second stabilizing beam trolley.

A method () for handling a container is disclosed. It can include the steps of: providing () a multi-level structure () including a plurality of levels () including a first level () with an opening () to receive a container () and a second level (); locating () a plurality of shelves () adjacent to the opening () including a port shelf () and a starboard shelf (), each configured to receive a container (); and providing () a transfer mechanism () configured to pick a container () and place it on one of the plurality of shelves (). Advantageously, the method () provides enhanced container handling and logistics, and has wide use cases in warehousing, assembly manufacturing, ports and distribution hubs.

System and method of handling containers

A distribution system () is disclosed. The system includes the steps of: providing () a multi-level pathfinder with a containment cavity having a ground level cell and an elevated level cell; configuring () the containment cavity to receive containers; and loading () the containment cavity with a first container and moving the first container vertically to allow a second loading of a second container. This system provides a simple, robust and efficient automatable buffer to load and unload, a container between a chassis and rail or port terminal and/or at distribution hub.

Distribution system

A lifting system for a vertically-elevating cab, the lifting system includes a frame assembly having a first and a second support column, first and a second lift screws which are attached to the, respective, first and second support columns, a cab-lifting beam that has a first and a second end attached to the, respective, first and second lift screws. A vertically-elevating cab is mounted on the cab-lifting beam in such a manner that a center of gravity of the cab is not aligned with a center of the cab-lifting beam. A plurality of rollers are located on each end of the lifting beam. Each one of the plurality of rollers is in contact with a guide bar on each of the respective first and second support columns, and a first and a second power system is connected to the, respective, first and second lift screw.

Screw-driven vertically-elevating cab

A transfer method (100) is disclosed. It includes: transporting (102) with a motorized vehicle a container on a chassis and aligning the container with a buffer; raising (104) the container with a support structure comprising an elevator connected to the chassis, from a resting position to a lifted position a predetermined height above the chassis; entering (106) a containment cavity of the buffer while in the lifted position, the buffer including a container stand including shelves located on sides on the containment cavity, to allow travel in and out of the containment cavity, the shelves include movable support pads with a retracted position configured to allow unobstructed travel in and out of the containment cavity and an extended position configured to support a container with the movable support pads on the sides on the containment cavity.

A high density narrow-profile storage system, comprising the steps of: unloading a container from a train car; storing the container in a storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a track; loading the container on a buffer in proximity to the storage yard; lowering the container on a chassis of a tractor trailer; and transporting the container away from the buffer. The system can include: a crane; a narrow-profile storage yard substantially adjacent and parallel to a train track; a buffer adapted to receive and raise or lower a container from or onto a chassis of a tractor trailer; and a tractor for transporting the container to or from the buffer.

High density narrow-profile storage system

Apparatus for the handling of truck trailers or transport containers and more particularly to an apparatus and method for a variable elevating cabin apparatus operable for controlled vertical movement within the framework of a gantry crane, wherein an operator positioned in the cabin may observe and control visual observation requirements for handling a work load from any elevation between ground level and the top of the crane.

Variable elevating cabin

A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent railcar tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars and/or boats or trucks in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one vehicle such as a railcar on a first of the railcar tracks and placing the load on another vehicle such as a railcar on a second of the railcar tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected railcars and other vehicles.

Load transferring system

A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.

A crane and lift apparatus for controlling the operation of primary hoist and bridge apparatus, and gantry drive functions of the equipment. There is provided a side shift grappler apparatus to handle or pick up a truck trailer vehicle loaded with two containers and transfer the load from a roadway to a flat bed railroad car. The apparatus is adaptable to adjust or position the loaded truck trailer vehicle on the flat bed railroad car so as to place the fifth wheel of the trailer vehicle over and about the mounting stanchion of the flat bed railroad car for secure attachment thereat. The apparatus avoids the need to move the crane apparatus for only a relatively slight adjustment for positioning a loaded truck trailer on a flat bed railroad car.

Side shift grappler

A crane and lift apparatus for controlling the operation of primary hoist and bridge structure, and gantry drive functions of the equipment. There is provided an auxiliary hoist grapple apparatus to unload containers stacked one above another from one location to another parallel thereto, from one roadway to a parallel roadway, or from one flat bed railroad car to another flat bed railroad car disposed upon a track that is parallel to and adjacent to the track on which the first railroad car is located. The apparatus is adaptable to straddle two locations, parallel roadways, or parallel railroad tracks and effect interchange of containers to and from trucks or railroad cars positioned on the parallel roadways or tracks. The apparatus permits locking of the main stabilizing beam at an uppermost position to clear double stacked containers and provides secondary vertical motion so as to reach down adjacent the stacked container and pick up a container from a lower most position resting on the ground or from a truck or a flat bed railroad car. The apparatus permits selective raising and lowering of cable supported containers up to as much as thirty feet from ground level.

Growing community of inventors

New Lenox, IL, United States of America

John J Lanigan, Jr