MATERIAL HANDLING UNIT

Abstract

A material handling unit. An elongate cargo bed of the material handling unit includes paired anchor points for attaching to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed. The cargo bed is reinforced to allow the cargo to be secured to the cargo bed during loading of the material handling unit onto a transport, transporting of the material handling unit to a job site, and unloading of the material handling unit from the transport. A shelter encloses the cargo bed and defines an access point along the length of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is accessible from the access points for loading and unloading cargo. The anchor points are accessible from the access point for securing the cargo to the cargo bed or removing the securing member from the cargo.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/891,183 filed Oct. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to transportation of material across, and storage of material at, remote locations having minimal or no infrastructure.

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to transport and unload large, heavy loads (e.g. bags bulk dry drilling chemicals, etc.) from conventional truck trailers or cargo containers. In addition, such loads may benefit from being secured for transport, which may add further effort and inconvenience to transportation of such loads.

Conventional transport vehicles suffer from some disadvantages when transporting dry chemical. Vehicles designed for highway use and are often unsuitable for demanding terrain in remote off-road sites. Dry chemical products are often transported to a remote site by tractor trailer units, off-loaded, and stored onsite either on the ground or on matting, leaving valuable products exposed to the elements of weather and to wildlife. Where material handling units are used for onsite storage, the dry chemical products or other cargo are often reloaded into the material handling units onsite after being off-loaded from tractor trailer units.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved solution for transporting and storing large heavy loads at remote sites with minimal or no infrastructure.

SUMMARY

A material handling unit for storing and transporting bulk loads (e.g. dry chemical in bags for drilling, completions, hydraulic fracturing, other well servicing, etc.) is provided. The material handling unit includes an elongate cargo bed which is accessible along its long sides for loading and unloading. The cargo bed has anchor points for straps or other securing members to connect to, securing cargo during transportation. The material handling unit can be loaded onto and unloaded from oilfield transport vehicles for use on rough terrain similarly to a skid and is reinforced to be transported, loaded, and unloaded while carrying a load of a selected weight. In one example, a material handling unit weighing about 20,000 lbs is reinforced to carry loads of about 70,500 lbs during loading on to a vehicle, transport, and unloading the vehicle. The selected weight may be selected with reference to the expected weight of a load of cargo.

The material handling unit facilitates handling and transporting heavy loads, for example bulk bags of products (e.g. bulk bags of dry drilling chemical, etc.) used in the oil and gas drilling industry. The material handling unit is transportable (e.g. similarly to a skid), easily accessible from the sides, and is reinforced and engineered to be loaded on transported and unloaded from a transport while full over rugged terrain by an off road oilfield transport vehicle (e.g. to a drilling site or other well site, etc.). The material handling unit is accessible from the sides to facilitate loading, securing, and unloading of cargo. The cargo is secured by using a strap or other securing member attached to the anchor points. The anchor points, the cargo, and the straps are easily accessible from outside the material handling unit. These features provide advantages over transporting drilling products to a job site in a vehicle designed for highway use, transporting a conventional mud but or other storage solution to the job site, unloading the drilling products at the job site, and storing the drilling products onsite in the conventional mud hut. For example, the material handling unit reduces the work required to load, store and unload the drilling products by eliminating the steps of transferring between an off-road transport vehicle and an onsite mud hut. Transportation and storage of drilling products, or of oil and gas related products generally, are examples of applications for the material handling unit.

The material handling unit facilitates loading, transportation, unloading, and storage of cargo without intermediate loading and unloading of the cargo into and from the material handling unit. The material handling unit need only be loaded with the cargo initially and the cargo need only be unloaded from the material handling unit when the cargo is required for use onsite. Once cargo is loaded into the material handling unit and secured, the material handling unit can be loaded onto a transport vehicle, transported, unloaded form the transport vehicle, and stored onsite without removing the cargo form the material handling unit. In contrast, when using an onsite storage unit which is not reinforced to be loaded, transported, and unloaded while carrying cargo of the selected weight, intermediate loading and unloading steps would be required (e.g. to or from a shipping container, a storage facility, a highway transportation vehicle, a tractor trailer, a conventional mud van, multiple intermediate steps, etc.).

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a material handling unit. An elongate cargo bed of the material handling unit includes paired anchor points for attaching to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed. The cargo bed is reinforced to allow the cargo to be secured to the cargo bed during loading of the material handling unit onto a transport, transporting of the material handling unit to a job site, and unloading of the material handling unit from the transport. A shelter encloses the cargo bed and defines an access point along the length of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is accessible from the access points for loading and unloading cargo. The anchor points are accessible from the access point for securing the cargo to the cargo bed or removing the securing member from the cargo.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a material handling unit including an elongate cargo bed reinforced for transportation while carrying cargo of a selected weight, the cargo bed having a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a shelter extending from the cargo bed for enclosing at least a portion of the cargo bed, the shelter defining an access point to the cargo bed along at least a portion of the length, and a plurality of pairs of anchor points on the cargo bed along the access point for connecting to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed under the shelter. The anchor points of each pair of anchor points are separated by at least a portion of the width. At least one anchor point of each pair of anchor points is proximate a periphery of the cargo bed for facilitating access to the securing member and to the at least one anchor point at the access point.

In an embodiment, each pair of anchor points comprises at least one anchor point positioned substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, each pair of anchor points comprises a fixed anchor point for fixedly connecting to the securing member paired with a releasable anchor point for releasably connecting to the securing member. In an embodiment, the fixed anchor point is across substantially the entire width from the releasable anchor point.

In an embodiment, each pair of anchor points comprises a fixed anchor point for fixedly connecting to the securing member paired with a releasable anchor point for releasably connecting to the securing member. In an embodiment, the fixed anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, each pair of anchor points comprises a fixed anchor point for fixedly connecting to the securing member paired with a releasable anchor point for releasably connecting to the securing member. In an embodiment, the releasable anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed. In an embodiment, the fixed anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, each pair of anchor points comprises paired releasable anchor points for releasably connecting to the securing member. In an embodiment, a first releasable anchor point of the paired releasable anchor points is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed. In an embodiment, a second releasable anchor point of the paired releasable anchor points is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the shelter extends along substantially the entire length.

In an embodiment, the access point extends along the length on both sides of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the access point extends along substantially the entire length. In an embodiment, the access point extends along substantially the entire length on both sides of the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the material handling unit includes a movable enclosure for reversibly enclosing the access point. In an embodiment, the movable enclosure includes a curtain extending from the shelter for releasably connecting to the cargo bed. In an embodiment, the movable enclosure includes a removable side panel reversibly connected to the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the material handling unit includes a movable enclosure for reversibly enclosing the access point. In an embodiment, the movable enclosure includes a removable side panel reversibly connected to the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the shelter comprises a pair of opposed endwalls extending from the cargo bed.

In an embodiment, the material handling unit includes interior lighting for illuminating the cargo bed underneath the shelter.

In an embodiment, the material handling unit includes exterior lighting for illuminating the exterior of the material handling unit.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a material handling unit including an elongate cargo bed reinforced for transportation while carrying cargo of a selected weight, the cargo bed having a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a shelter extending from the cargo bed for enclosing at least a portion of the cargo bed, the shelter defining an access point to the cargo bed along substantially the entire length, a plurality of pairs of anchor points on the cargo bed along the access point for connecting to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed under the shelter, and a curtain extending from the shelter for releasably connecting to the cargo bed to reversibly enclose the access point. The anchor points of each pair of anchor points are separated along the transverse axis and are proximate a periphery of the cargo bed for facilitating access to the securing member and to the anchor points at the access point.

In an embodiment, the material handling unit includes a removable side panel for releasably connecting to the cargo bed to reversibly enclose the access point.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of transporting cargo including providing a skid-mounted elongate material handling unit having a cargo bed with a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the material handling unit defining an access point to the cargo bed along at least a portion of the length, loading cargo onto the cargo bed, securing the cargo to the cargo bed with a securing member connected to the cargo bed at a pair of anchor points separated by at least a portion of the width, transporting the material handling unit and the cargo to a selected location, and unloading the material handling unit to position the material handling unit on grade at the selected location for allowing access to the access point without the use of stairs. Loading the cargo and securing the cargo are facilitated by the access point.

In an embodiment, the method includes unloading the cargo from the material handling unit at the selected location, which is facilitated by the access point. In an embodiment, the method includes storing the cargo in the material handling unit at the selected location prior to unloading the cargo from the material handling unit at the selected location.

In an embodiment, the cargo includes dry chemical for drilling, completing, or servicing an oil or gas well.

In an embodiment, the selected location is an oil and gas well site.

In an embodiment, the cargo has a weight of about 70,000 lbs.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, in which features sharing reference numerals with a common final two digits of a reference numeral correspond to similar features across multiple figures (e.g. the cargo beds 12, 112, 212, and 312, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a material handling unit with cargo secured to a cargo bed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal elevation view of the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse elevation view of the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section about A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cargo bed from the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cargo bed of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal elevation view of the cargo bed of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a transverse elevation view of the cargo bed of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shelter from the material handling unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alternative cargo bed;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternative cargo bed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a material handling unit with cargo secured to a cargo bed; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method of transporting cargo.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present disclosure provides a material handling unit and method of using the material handling unit. The material handling unit is reinforced for transporting, loading on to a transport, and unloading from a transport, while carrying a load of a selected weight.

Material Handling Unit

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a material handling unit 10. The material handling unit 10 includes a cargo bed 12 with anchor points 30 for connecting to straps 14 or other securing members (e.g. chains, belts, bungee cords, etc.) to secure cargo 11 to the cargo bed 12. The anchor points 30 are proximate a periphery 25 of the cargo bed 12 to facilitate access to the anchor points 30 from outside of the material handling unit 10.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show the cargo bed 12 only. The cargo bed 12 extends along a longitudinal axis 13 and has a length 17 along the longitudinal axis 13. The cargo bed 12 extends along a transverse axis 15 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13 and has a width 19 along the transverse axis 15. The cargo bed 12 includes a bar 23 or other attachment point for heavy equipment to load the material handling unit 10 onto, or unload from the material handling unit 10 from, transportation vehicles or a storage location (e.g. other attachment points could include rings, hooks, etc.).

The straps 14 secure the cargo 11 to the cargo bed 12. The cargo bed 12 is enclosed by a shelter 21. The shelter 21 includes an endwall 16, an endwall 18, a roof 20, and an intermediate support 24. The shelter 21 lacks sidewalls, providing an access point 26 to the cargo bed 12 under the shelter 21 along substantially the entire length 17 on both sides of the cargo bed 12. If present, sidewalls (not shown), would be located along only a portion of the length 17 on at least one side of the cargo bed 12 to provide the access point 26. The access point 26 facilitates access to the cargo 11 and to the straps 14 securing the cargo 11 to the cargo bed 12.

A curtain 22 may be used to enclose the cargo 11 on the cargo bed 12 within the material handling unit 10 and protect the cargo 11 from the exterior environment. The curtain 22 extends along a portion of the length 17. The curtain 22 may be slide-up and may lock on the bottom (as shown). Multiple curtains 22 may be placed along the longitudinal axis 13 to enclose the cargo bed 12 along a greater portion of the access point 26 (e.g. four curtains 22 on each side of the cargo 12 bed as shown; not shown), or a single curtain 22 could be used along the entire access point 26 on each side of the cargo bed 12 (not shown). Other movable enclosures may also be used (e.g. sliding doors, etc.; not shown). The curtains 22 may be operated by motors.

The cargo bed 12 is reinforced for transportation while carrying cargo 11 of a selected weight. The selected weight will depend on the size of the material handling unit 10 and the intended application. An example of the material handling unit 10 suitable for transportation and storage of dry chemicals for use in the oil and gas industry (e.g. chemicals for drilling, cementing, hydraulic fracturing, etc.) could be constructed where the length 17 is about 36 feet and the width 19 is about 10 feet, for being transported with cargo 11 having a selected weight of about 70,500 lbs secured to the cargo bed 12. Where the material handling unit 10 weighs about 20,000 lbs empty, this would be a total weight of about 90,500 lbs including both the material handling unit 10 and the cargo 11.

FIG. 11 shows the shelter 21 only. The shelter 21 includes the roof 20, endwalls 16, 18, and an intermediate support 24 located between the endwalls 16, 18. The roof 20 may be supported by the endwalls 16, 18, by one or more intermediate supports 24, or both. The endwalls and one or more intermediate supports 24 may be reinforced by supports 29.

Anchor Points

The anchor points 30 are positioned along the length 17 proximate the periphery 25 of the cargo bed 12. As shown in the material handling unit 10, the anchor points 30 may be positioned both along substantially the entire length 17 and substantially at the periphery 25.

Each anchor point 30 is opposed along the transverse axis 15 by a corresponding paired anchor point 30 across at least a portion of the width 19. For example, a fixed anchor point 32 for a first end of the strap 14 to be connected to fixedly or permanently (e.g. a hole in which the strap 14 is anchored, etc.) could be opposite a releasable anchor point 34 for an opposed second end of the strap 14 to be releasably connected to and easily disconnected from (e.g. a bar for connection of a hook, etc.). An example of a pair of anchor points 30 is shown in FIG. 8 as a fixed anchor point 42 and a releasable anchor point 44 opposite each other across substantially the entire width 15. A ratchet 27 or other mechanism to tighten the load (e.g. a slide-bar, a winch, etc.) can be applied to the strap 14 to secure the cargo 11 with a selected level of force.

In the material handling unit 10, the access point 26 and the anchor points 32, 34 are positioned along substantially the length 17. For example, the anchor points 32, 34 may be positioned substantially at the periphery 25 of the cargo bed 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. Other locations for the anchor points 32, 34 may be appropriate depending on the size and shape of the cargo 11 and of the access point 26, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 shows a cargo bed 112. On the cargo bed 112, the fixed anchor points 132 are displaced from the periphery 125 along the transverse axis 115 relative to the fixed anchor points 32 of the cargo bed 12. The fixed anchor points 132 are substantially midway along the width 19. The releasable anchor points 134 are proximate the periphery 125 but not substantially at the periphery 125 (as in the material handling unit 10 of FIGS. 1 to 11). The paired fixed anchor point 142 and releasable anchor point 144 are shown as an example of paired anchor points 130 in the cargo bed 112.

FIG. 13 shows a cargo bed 212. On the cargo bed 212, all anchor points 230 are releasable anchor points 234. The releasable anchor points 234 are positioned substantially on the periphery 225. Along a portion 247 of the length 217, the releasable anchor points 234 are positioned at regular intervals along the width 219. Along the portion 247, releasable anchor points 241 are evenly spaced with five releasable anchor points 241 along the width 219, releasable anchor points 243 are evenly spaced with four releasable anchor points 243 along the width 219, and releasable anchor points 245 are evenly spaced with three releasable anchor points 245 along the width 219. The portion 247 may extend substantially along the length 217 (not shown). The portion 247 may include only one interval spacing on the releasable anchor points other than the releasable anchor points 234 (e.g. only one of the patterns shown for the releasable anchor points 241, the releasable anchor points 243, or the releasable anchor points 245, another single interval spacing, etc.; not shown).

The open-sided design of the material handling unit 10 provides the access point 26. The access point 26 facilitates access to the anchor points 30 and to the straps 14. The access point 26 faciliates use of the ratchet 27 or other tightening device to secure the straps 14 across cargo 11. Using a ratchet inside a trailer or cargo container may be complicated by sidewalls. Where straps are used inside a conventional trailer or cargo container, the amount of surface area available for the cargo would be limited relative to that available when using the material handling unit 10.

The exemplified material handling unit 10 is accessible from both sides of the cargo bed 12 along substantially the entire length 17. In a material handling unit with partial sidewalls on one or both sides of the cargo bed (not shown), the access point would be defined along the portion(s) of the length of the cargo bed lacking sidewalls on one or both sides of the cargo bed.

Other Features

The material handling unit 10 may include interior lighting 46 or exterior lighting 48 to facilitate loading, unloading, and inventory control. The interior lighting 46 or exterior lighting 48 could be powered by an internal power source (not shown) or connected to an external power supply (not shown). The material handling unit 10 may also include electrical connection points (not shown) to link multiple material handling units 10 together to draw power from a common source. Inventory control during storage may be facilitated by the curtain 22 and interior lighting 46. Loading or unloading for use during storage may be facilitated by the access point 26, the interior lighting 46, and the exterior lighting 48.

The material handling unit 10 may be designed such that the cargo bed 12 rests at a height convenient for loading and unloading by a selected method (e.g. by hand, using industry standard fork lifts or pallet jacks, etc.) when the material handling unit 10 is resting on the ground.

FIG. 14 shows a material handling unit 310 which includes removable side panels 331 between the curtain 322 and the attachment points 330. The side panels 331 provide an extra level of securement for the cargo 311 during transport (e.g. in the event that one or more of the straps 314 is improperly secured to the cargo 311, in the event that one or more of the straps 314 breaks during transport, etc.). The side panels 331 are secured to the cargo bed 312 between the curtain 322 and the attachment points 330 for transport, and can remain in place during storage onsite until the cargo 311 behind a given side panel 331 is required. The side panels 331 may also be secured to the endwalls 316, 318, or to the intermediate support 324.

Operation

In use, the interior of the material handling unit 10 and any cargo 11 secured to the cargo bed 12 may be accessed through the access point 26. The cargo 11 (e.g. bulk bags of dry drilling chemical, cement, dry hydraulic fracturing chemical, etc.) of a selected weight (e.g. about 70,000 lbs, etc.) is placed on the cargo bed 12 (e.g. by hand, using industry standard fork lifts or pallet jacks, etc.). The strap 14 is extended across the cargo 11 from a first anchor point 30 (e.g. a fixed anchor point 32, etc.) to a second anchor point 30 paired with the first anchor point 30 (e.g. a releasable anchor point 34, etc.) across at least a portion of the width 19 to secure the cargo 11 to the cargo bed 12.

Once the cargo 11 is loaded into the material handling unit 10 and secured with the straps 14, the material handling unit 10 may be loaded on to a transport vehicle (e.g. a vehicle for use on paved roads, a vehicle for use on rough terrain, etc.) while with cargo 11 of the selected weight (or less) secured to the cargo bed 12. The material handling unit 10 may be transported, transferred between vehicles (e.g. from a vehicle for use on paved roads to a vehicle for use on rough terrain, etc.), and unloaded, all while carrying the selected weight of cargo 11. When the material handling unit 10 arrives onsite, it may be unloaded from a transport vehicle and used to store the cargo 11, sheltering the cargo 11 from the elements and from wildlife. If cargo 11 remains in the material handling unit 10 after completion of any operations which the cargo 11 was intended for use in, the material handling unit 10 may be loaded back on to a transport vehicle for moving to another location (e.g. another job site, a storage location, etc.) with the remaining cargo 11 still in the material handling unit 10.

The strap 14 may be further secured to the cargo 11 (e.g. by ratcheting, etc.). Ratcheting at or near one of the anchor points 30 (e.g. at a releasable anchor point, etc.) is facilitated by the access point 26 along at least a portion of the length 17 and the anchor points 30 being located proximate or substantially at the periphery 25. In the material handling unit 10, the access point 26 extends along substantially the entire length 17 on both sides of the cargo bed 12. Where sidewalls are present (not shown) on one or both sides of the cargo bed 12, the access point 26 would be correspondingly smaller and not extend along the entire length 17 of both sides of the cargo bed 12.

The curtain 22 may be secured shut for loading, transportation, unloading, and storage onsite.

The material handling unit 10 is transportable with oilfield transportation equipment creating efficiencies during transportation to a drilling site. The material handling unit 10 is portable both with vehicles design for use on a highway and with oilfield transportation equipment suitable for public roads and off-highway rough terrain. Unlike vehicles with integral storage, regulatory requirements and upkeep associated with all commercial vehicles may not apply to the material handling unit 10.

The cargo 11 may remain inside the material handling unit 10 both during transportation and onsite until needed for drilling, completion, or production operations. This reduces handling of the products prior to use, transportation to the next drill site, or transportation to a warehouse after drilling operations have finished. In addition, keeping cargo out of the elements and reducing exposure to wildlife and the environment while onsite is facilitated. While onsite, the material handling unit 10 may be positioned on grade, facilitating access to the access point 26, anchor points 30, cargo 11, and straps 14 without stairs, facilitating safe transferring of cargo product by hand, and transferring of cargo with equipment available onsite to and from the material handling unit 10.

Operation of a material handling unit with the cargo bed 112 is similar to operation of the material handling unit 10. The differing arrangement of the fixed anchor points 132 compared to the fixed anchor points 32 facilitates transportation and storage of cargo 111 with smaller dimensions on each individual piece of cargo 111 compared to the cargo 11.

Operation of a material handling unit with the cargo bed 212 is similar to operation of the material handling unit 10. The straps 214 are connected to the paired releasable anchor points 234. In the portion 247, placement of the releasable anchor points 241, 243, and 245 intervals along the width 219 facilitates rearrangement of the straps 214 to accommodate cargo 211 having differing sizes of individual pieces of cargo 211. Along the portion 247, one strap 214 may be added to a releasable anchor points 234 substantially on the periphery 225 and then connected to a selected releasable anchor point 241 (or releasable anchor point 243 or 245 depending on the location of the strap 214 along the portion 247). The releasable anchor points 241, 243, or 245 used with a given releasable anchor point 234 allows selection of the dimensions of cargo to be secured with the strap 214.

Operation of the material handling unit 310 is similar to operation of the material handling unit 10. After the cargo 311 is secured to the cargo bed 312 with the straps 314 and the curtains 322 are secured, the side panels 331 are secured to the cargo bed 312 externally to the curtains 322.

FIG. 15 shows a method for transporting materials which applies a material handling unit of the present disclosure and operation of the material handling unit. An elongate material handling unit is applied in the method of FIG. 15. The material handling unit has a cargo bed with a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The material handling unit defines an access point to the cargo bed along at least a portion of the length. The material handling units and components thereof shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 are all suitable for use in the method of FIG. 15. Cargo (e.g. dry chemical for drilling an oil or gas well, dry chemical for completing an oil or gas well, dry chemical for servicing an oil or gas well, having a weight of about 70,000 lbs, etc.) is loaded onto the cargo bed through the access point. The cargo is secured to the cargo bed from the access point with a securing member connected to the cargo bed across at least a portion of the width. The material handling unit and the cargo are transported to a selected location (e.g. a well site, either already including a well or selected for drilling a well). At the selected location, the cargo is unloaded from the material handling unit through the access point. The access point facilitates loading and unloading of the cargo. The method may also include storing the cargo in the material handling unit at the selected location prior to unloading the cargo from the material handling unit at the selected location. During transportation, the cargo remains secured inside the material handling unit, and when transport vehicles are loaded and unloaded, the material handling unit and cargo may be moved together.

Examples Only

In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.

Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A material handling unit comprising:

an elongate cargo bed reinforced for transportation while carrying cargo of a selected weight, the cargo bed having a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a shelter extending from the cargo bed for enclosing at least a portion of the cargo bed, the shelter defining an access point to the cargo bed along at least a portion of the length; and

a plurality of pairs of anchor points on the cargo bed along the access point for connecting to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed under the shelter;

wherein the anchor points of each pair of anchor points are separated by at least a portion of the width; and

at least one anchor point of each pair of anchor points is proximate a periphery of the cargo bed for facilitating access to the securing member and to the at least one anchor point at the access point.

2. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein each pair of anchor points comprises at least one anchor point positioned substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

3. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein each pair of anchor points comprises a fixed anchor point for fixedly connecting to the securing member paired with a releasable anchor point for releasably connecting to the securing member.

4. The material handling unit of claim 3 wherein the fixed anchor point is across substantially the entire width from the releasable anchor point.

5. The material handling unit of claim 3 wherein the fixed anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

6. The material handling unit of claim 3 wherein the releasable anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

7. The material handling unit of claim 6 wherein the fixed anchor point is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

8. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein each pair of anchor points comprises paired releasable anchor points for releasably connecting to the securing member.

9. The material handling unit of claim 8 wherein a first releasable anchor point of the paired releasable anchor points is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

10. The material handling unit of claim 9 wherein a second releasable anchor point of the paired releasable anchor points is substantially on the periphery of the cargo bed.

11. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein the shelter extends along substantially the entire length.

12. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein the access point extends along the length on both sides of the cargo bed.

13. The material handling unit of claim 1 wherein the access point extends along substantially the entire length.

14. The material handling unit of claim 13 wherein the access point extends along substantially the entire length on both sides of the cargo bed.

15. The material handling unit of claim 1 further comprising a movable enclosure for reversibly enclosing the access point.

16. The material handling unit of claim 15 wherein the movable enclosure comprises a curtain extending from the shelter for releasably connecting to the cargo bed.

17. The material handling unit of claim 16 wherein the movable enclosure further comprises a removable side panel reversibly connected to the cargo bed.

18. The material handling unit of claim 15 wherein the movable enclosure comprises a removable side panel reversibly connected to the cargo bed.

19. A material handling unit comprising:

an elongate cargo bed reinforced for transportation while carrying cargo of a selected weight, the cargo bed having a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a shelter extending from the cargo bed for enclosing at least a portion of the cargo bed, the shelter defining an access point to the cargo bed along substantially the entire length;

a plurality of pairs of anchor points on the cargo bed along the access point for connecting to a securing member to secure cargo to the cargo bed under the shelter; and

a curtain extending from the shelter for releasably connecting to the cargo bed to reversibly enclose the access point;

wherein the anchor points of each pair of anchor points are separated along the transverse axis and are proximate a periphery of the cargo bed for facilitating access to the securing member and to the anchor points at the access point.

20. The material handling unit of claim 19 further comprising a removable side panel for releasably connecting to the cargo bed to reversibly enclose the access point.

21. A method of transporting cargo comprising:

providing a skid-mounted elongate material handling unit having a cargo bed with a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the material handling unit defining an access point to the cargo bed along at least a portion of the length;

loading cargo onto the cargo bed;

securing the cargo to the cargo bed with a securing member connected to the cargo bed at a pair of anchor points separated by at least a portion of the width;

transporting the material handling unit and the cargo to a selected location; and

unloading the material handling unit to position the material handling unit on grade at the selected location for allowing access to the access point without the use of stairs;

wherein loading the cargo and securing the cargo are facilitated by the access point.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising unloading the cargo from the material handling unit at the selected location, wherein unloading the cargo is facilitated by the access point.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising storing the cargo in the material handling unit at the selected location prior to unloading the cargo from the material handling unit at the selected location.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the cargo comprises dry chemical for drilling, completing, or servicing an oil or gas well.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the selected location is a well site.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the cargo has a weight of about 70,000 lbs.