Abstract: A transfer arrangement for transferring a semi-trailer onto an intermodal pocket wagon from a ground location beside the wagon, or vice versa, may include base roller beams of a first lifting mechanism supported by the ground at the ground location and intended for lifting the semi-trailer up from the ground. Corresponding wagon roller beams of a second lifting mechanism may be supported by the rail or the ground under the wagon. The wagon roller beams may be elevated to substantially the same height as the base roller beams or lowered towards the ground. A transfer mechanism may be provided for transferring the semi-trailer sideways from the first lifting mechanism to the second lifting mechanism in the elevated condition thereof.

Abstract: A shipping system for a rolling tarp system has a trailer bed and first and second guide tracks attached to the trailer bed. The trailer bed has a towing element that defines front, sides, and rear portions. The first and second guide tracks are transverse to the trailer sides and configured to support the rolling tarp system. The rolling tarp system is loaded on and unloaded off the first and second guide tracks along the side of the trailer bed.

Abstract: Provided are a container terminal and a control method therefor that enhance a cargo handling efficiency by reducing a movement of each yard crane to a minimum possible extent. The container terminal is provided with a first transfer area 44 outside one end portion of a storage lane 20, and a second transfer area 47 outside the other end portion. When a circulating transport vehicle 31 and a shuttle vehicle 32 transfer a container k therebetween via a first yard crane 13 in the first transfer area 44, the shuttle vehicle 32 transports the container k to a second yard crane 14, and the second yard crane 14 handles the container in an unloading container area 46 of the storage lane 20.

Abstract: A universal system and method for handling a container is disclosed. The system can include: a support structure (10) defining a bay (32), the support structure (10) including support shoes configured to support a container; a sensor (58) for determining a length of a container in the bay; and a controller (60) configured to operate the support structure (10) including a storage mode and a retrieval mode.

Abstract: A device for transporting freight articles in a ground or rail haul operations comprises a hollow housing including four corner sections, side walls, two center sections defining four openings each disposed between one edge of a center section and an edge of a respective corner section, a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the two center portions are manufactured from see through or clear material. A door is mounted to selectively open and close a respective opening and swinging outwardly and towards a respective corner portion to selectively open the respective opening. Two channels are provided in the bottom portion, each in open communication with opposite sides of the bottom portion. Four feet or wheels are mounted on the bottom portion. Four receptacles are provided in the top portion, each sized and shaped to receive a foot therewithin.

Abstract: An inline terminal system (300), which includes the steps of: (i) transporting (302) a first container with a cargo via an inbound railroad car to a terminal having a plurality of train rails; (ii) picking and placing (304) the first container from the railroad car to a track side location having at least one buffer in proximity to the plurality of train rails, including: (a) rotating the first container at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train rails; and (b) positioning the at least one buffer substantially adjacent to the train rails, at the track side location, at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train rails; and (iii) moving (306) the first container via a tractor truck to a desired location for unloading. This system provides a simple, robust and efficient method to load, and in the reverse unload, a container on a chassis or rail car, respectively.

Abstract: A system for transferring railroad cars from incoming receiving tracks to classification tracks for building outgoing trains includes a plurality of incoming receiving tracks, a plurality of outgoing classification tracks and one or more transfer tables for moving railroad cars from the incoming receiving tracks to designated outgoing classification tracks. Each transfer table has a plurality of track segments. Incoming railroad cars are received on a plurality of incoming receiving tracks. A first car is uncoupled from a following second car on each of the receiving tracks having cars. The uncoupled first car is moved from the incoming receiving track onto a corresponding track segment on the transfer table. The transfer table is moved to align a selected track segment with an appropriate classification track for the corresponding railroad car. The transfer table is moved and aligned with appropriate classification tracks until each railroad car has been transferred to the appropriate classification track.

Abstract: A method and loading system for order-picking articles in the form of individual articles and/or pack units, in which requested articles are packed, in accordance with the orders, onto destination load carriers and dispatched. The requested articles (2) which are to be order-picked, in at least one order-picking station (4), are arranged and/or stacked in the pattern of the destination load carrier (3) on requested and transportable auxiliary load carriers (6), each provided for an order or part of an order. The auxiliary load carrier (6) together with a quantity of articles, provided as layers and/or stacks, to be conveyed to a loading station (5) is automatically transferred as a unit onto a placed-in-position destination load carrier (3) supplied, wherein preferably rolling containers and pallets are used as the destination load carriers.

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo includes a cargo terminal having a pair of longitudinal sides, at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides disposed adjacent to and spaced a predetermined distance from a railway track and at least one railcar positioned at a predetermined acute angle relative to the at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides of the cargo terminal and having one end thereof disposed in close proximity thereto so as to enable loading or unloading such cargo through such one end of such at least one railcar. A network of at least two cargo terminals and a method of intermodal cargo transporting are also provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transport interchange system includes a roadway that intersects a guideway system such that the roadway is discontinuous across the guideway system. A guideway vehicle is provided that transports an intermodal container over the guideway system. The guideway vehicle is operable to rotate the intermodal container from a first position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the roadway to a second position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the guideway vehicle.

Abstract: A commuter train ferry system includes a train engine. A plurality of boxcars is joinable to each other and to the train engine to form the commuter train ferry. Each of the boxcars includes a plurality of decks for transporting a plurality of vehicles and their occupants during a commuter trip. At least one ramp includes a plurality of driving surfaces for accessing the plurality of decks for loading and unloading the vehicles and their occupants from the boxcars where the occupants of the vehicles load and unload the vehicles from the boxcars and remain within the vehicles for at least a part of the commuter trip.

Abstract: A trailer transport system for tracking trains having a plurality of rail cars, wherein each rail car can transport a trailer, is described. The system includes a computer system having a trailer tracking program, wherein the trailer tracking program receives information regarding a trailer to be transported and stores the information in a record and a plurality of terminals, wherein each terminal includes a terminal management system communicatively connected to the computer system, wherein the terminal management system pulls up the record corresponding to the trailer to be transported when the trailer arrives at the terminal and modifies the record to reflect the trailer's transportation status.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction vehicle (21) for semi-trailers (3), preferably for loading and unloading the semi-trailers (3) onto and off of a freight train (18), in particular, as part of the rolling highway, wherein the freight train (18) comprises several freight cars coupled to one another, in particular low-floor railcars (10), and a continuous driving lane in the longitudinal direction (20) of the train for moving the semi-trailers (3) on the freight train (18), wherein the traction vehicle (21) is unmanned and self-propelled, as well as a tractor-trailer unit (30) formed from the traction vehicle (21) and a semi-trailer (3), a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa, as well as a freight transfer terminal thereto, and a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa and for transporting the semi-trailers (3) on the railway (12).

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo includes a cargo terminal having a pair of longitudinal sides, at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides disposed adjacent to and spaced a predetermined distance from a railway track and at least one railcar positioned at a predetermined acute angle relative to the at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides of the cargo terminal and having one end thereof disposed in close proximity thereto so as to enable loading or unloading such cargo through such one end of such at least one railcar. A network of at least two cargo terminals and a method of intermodal cargo transporting are also provided.

Abstract: A system for transporting goods uses public transportation infrastructure. The public transportation infrastructure includes rolling stock, transportation networks for the rolling stock, and passenger platforms. The goods transporting system includes a plurality of containers that receive the goods for transport, and container space in the rolling stock that is sized to receive the containers. The container space is either additional rolling stock or dedicated space in the existing rolling stock of the transportation infrastructure. Goods platforms are provided separate from the passenger platforms. When the rolling stock comes to a station stop, the container space is positioned near the goods platforms. The system also includes structure for moving the containers on and off the rolling stock, and structure for controlling the loading/unloading assemblies to load/unload the containers on/from the rolling stock according to a desired destination for the goods in the respective containers.

Abstract: This invention is a rail grade load/unload rail carrier with primary vertical load bearing sub-assemblies positioned above the carrier body floor. Carrier body sub-assemblies are vertical columns with stay cables attached to rail carrier bar joist sides. The design features carrier body floor elevation slightly above rail grade, and detachable rail wheel bogies outside the carrier body, to enable motor vehicle rail grade loading/unloading. Rail wheel bogie variants may be used for rail gage adaptation. Further, loaded motor vehicles provide rail carrier motive power; drive wheels protruding downward through carrier floor apertures to bear on rail flanking traction strips. Traction strips connect to a vehicle staging platform which has; integral rails, rail line connection, and highway access. Autonomous motor vehicle carrier translation along rails and across the staging area, negates need for conventional rail terminal handling facilities.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transport interchange system includes a roadway that intersects a guideway system such that the roadway is discontinuous across the guideway system. A guideway vehicle is provided that transports an intermodal container over the guideway system. The guideway vehicle is operable to rotate the intermodal container from a first position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the roadway to a second position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the guideway vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inline terminal, hub and distribution system. It comprises the steps of: transporting (102) a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center; emptying (104) the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock; sorting (106) the contents of the container; loading (108) an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting (110) the outbound container to a track side location; loading (112) the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.

Abstract: A railway terminal having a parking area, an access restriction system adjacent to the parking area and a railroad track adjacent to the parking area. The access restriction system limits access to said parking area. The railroad track includes a first section, a second section and a loading pad, wherein the first and the second sections each accommodate a plurality of intermodal railcars, each railcar designed to transport a truck trailer, wherein the first section is coupled to a main rail line. The loading pad links the first section of the railroad track to the second section of the railroad track. The loading pad is designed to support tractor-trailers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved railway terminal for the loading and unloading of railway cars. In particular, the present invention is directed to avoid the problems associated with railway cars springing in and out during loading or unloading. The present invention uses supports arranged on either side of the section of track, at which the railway wagon is to be loaded and unloaded, so that the loading floor of the railway wagon or car will remain at a fixed and predetermined height during the loading or unloading. The present invention contemplates the uses of cylinders or pistons as the supports used to place the railway car or wagon at a predetermined height.

Abstract: A method for transporting road haulage trailers by railway train using carriages having flat load bearing tops (2). The carriages are constructed so that they are on the same level as a railway platform (61) so that trailers (7) may be driven directly onto the carriages from the platforn (61) and decoupled from a prime mover in order that the trailers can be arranged end to end along the train (1). Similarly the trailers may be unloaded by bringing in the train into registry with an unloading platform (91) and driving the trailers directly from the train onto the unloading platform with a prime mover. A series of rollers (62) may be provided to underlie the edges of the flat tops (2) in order to prevent them tilting when the trailers are driven onto the train.

Abstract: An improved intermodal transport system combining trucking and railway technology for the transport of passengers and freight. The present system includes a so-called Super Rail Train which incorporates an automotive truck drive system and components in a fuel efficient power vehicle which replaces the conventional locomotive. The present system also includes a plurality of secondary power units having an automotive truck drive system which are operated only during peak load conditions. The present system features a self-powered tandem device which replaces the conventional railroad dolly or bogie used in the transport of highway semi-trailer containers by rail and permits movement of a partially assembled train without a switching engine. A further feature of the present invention provides a switching ramp which is installed at truck/train terminals to facilitate the efficient assembly and breakdown of the train upon arrival at a destination for rerouting semi-trailer containers to highway use.

Abstract: A railway waggon comprises on one hand a load carrier (2) composed of two carrying beams (12, 12') and an intermediate, load-receiving platform part (13), and on the other hand bogies (3) with wheels (4) for railway tracks (5). The platform part (13) is located on level with or below the carrying beams (12, 12'), which at their ends change into jibs (15, 15') located above the beams so that these may be applied on top of the bogies (3), without the platform (13) being markedly distanced vertically from the wheel base of the bogies. The load carrier (2) is on one hand coupled to the bogie via a joint (25, 26) in order to allow for relative turning motions between the bogie and the load carrier, and on the other hand detachably connected with each one of the bogies, in order to, in an inactive state in connection with loading and unloading, be able to be displaced with each end laterally.

Abstract: The invention is a system for transporting highway vehicles on railway vehicles. It has rail cars positionable relative to one another at an angle of at least about 50 degrees. Each car has a deck for highway vehicles. The system has a railroad terminal with a first track with switch(es) connected to spur(s) so trucks supporting a first set of car ends may be kept on the first track, while a second set of trucks supporting a second set of car ends is placed on the spur(s). The rail cars are thereby placed in a zig-zag configuration. For each of the rail cars, a truck supporting one end remains on the first track while a truck supporting the other end is placed on a spur. A vector parallel to the direction of travel of a truck along the tracks supporting it has a vector component of at least about 0.

Abstract: System and method for loading and unloading highway vehicles for transportation over railroad lines. The system has a number of railroad vehicles, each having a deck for highway vehicles. The deck extends from a central portion of the vehicle to one or both ends of the railway vehicle. The invention includes a terminal which has at least one stationary railroad track portion which is connected to a railroad system outside of the terminal. The terminal also has number of moveable railroad track segments. These segments can be positioned in a first configuration in which they are aligned so that railroad vehicles can be rolled from one or more of the stationary railroad track segments onto the moveable railroad track segments.

Abstract: A concrete-embedded, machinery-anchoring floor system includes parallel, accurately-extruded steel rails each having a unique cross-sectional configuration. Vertical loading of the rails improves the load-bearing strength of the concrete, whether the loading is in tension or compression. Each rail includes a pair of spaced angularly-extending, outwardly and downwardly-projecting flanges. When a downward compressive load is applied through the rails from above, the load also applies downward and inward force vectors generally perpendicular to the angular flanges, compressing concrete therebetween. If tension is applied to a rail from a cantilevered load, the angular flanges are fulcrumed toward each other about their connecting joints with the rail, also compressing and strengthening concrete therebetween. The angular flanges are rounded at their distal edges to enable supporting and interconnecting reinforcing bars to be easily welded to the rounded edges, irrespective of the angle of the bars to the edges.

Abstract: A turntable for moving railcars is adapted to be concentrically positioned among a plurality of radially aligned, outer railways. The turntable has an azimuthally rotatable, annular frame having a spaced plurality of radially disposed, intermediate railways that selectively align with different ones of the outer railways. Also included is a platform having at least one central railway that can be aligned with at least one of the intermediate railways. This platform is mounted concentrically within the annular frame.

Abstract: A railway loading dock is provided with adjacent trackage having pairs of main rails and stabilizing rails. A modified railway flatbed car is equipped along its sides with stabilizing wheels and associated support structure to retain the car bed coplanar with the loading dock surface to permit drive on loading and drive off unloading of large trucks. The railway car bed is equipped with bed extensions which primarily occupy that space between ends of adjacent cars to permit travel of trucks, in a straight or oblique manner, over the ends of adjacent railway cars. The stabilizing rails have inclined segments for gradual engagement with the car stabilizing wheels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for conveying cotton from an unloading station to a gin house, while preventing the cotton from absorbing moisture from the ground. In accordance with the present invention, the system provides for the use of a network of railway tracks either directly from the field to a gin site or least at the gin mill, as well as the use of lightweight, flat, open bed carriers which run along the railway tracks, transporting cotton modules from one station to the other en route from the field to a gin house or storage facility.

Abstract: A variable height workstation includes a trolley delivery apparatus for controllably moving a rail section from a gap formed in a subsidiary loop rail to a workstation located remotely from the loop. A pivotal cam is controllably rotated by an actuator and moves with the rail section and arrests travel of a trolley on the moveable rail section so that rail section may be removed toward the workstation while carrying the trolley. The pivotal cam is also capable of accelerating a trolley off the rail section either after the rail returns to its normal bridging position or from the rail section without it being lowered. The trolley delivery apparatus is employed in a subsidiary loop system whereby a preworkstation indexer is located upstream of it to advance individual diverted trolleys onto the moveable rail section.

Abstract: A transportation system in which cars having cargo containers are driven along tracks. Access to a car's cargo container is provided via a door on the car which is moved by a door drive system carried on the car. In the exemplary case of a remote bank teller transportation system, a car moves between two terminals in which the car and the car door are orientated vertically "right side up" in one terminal and "upside down" in the other terminal. The door drive system serves to move the door downwardly for both orientations of the car.

Abstract: A loading system for loading vehicles onto a railroad car allows passengers to load their own vehicles. Cylindrical rollers are mounted on a loading dock adjacent to the railroad car. The vehicle is driven onto a pallet that is moved laterally toward the railroad car by the rollers. The railroad car has a frame with two levels that can be raised to position each level with the loading dock. A hydraulic ram pushes the pallet with the vehicle onto the frame for loading and pulls them from the frame for unloading.

Abstract: This loader has two rotary arms which turn a load spreader fork frame off-parallel so that only one fork is extended to couple. The fork frame has a fork at each end with a cam track diagonal across the bottom engaged on the extended fork by a coupling roller extended from a vehicle to pull the fork frame to the vehicle until the roller leaves the track when the frame has engaged between pedestals on the vehicle. The frame is engaged and rotated through many more degrees and the most effective degrees of a circle for a transfer run (now over 180.degree.

Abstract: This is a rotary loader for transfer of cargo containers, flat beds or pallets, racks, or other loads to and from railroad cars or vehicles moving by and is rotated to turn either end to a dock or building for convenient end loading. Standard or wide end-door cargo containers can be transferred and supported on the loader and the loader turned so the door end of the container is at or over a dock so fork trucks or other vehicles can be driven over a dock board straight in and out from the cargo container. One form of the loader has two vertical posts equally spaced from a railway track or driveway and a horizontal rotary arm connected on each post to rotate parallelly through an arc with cam lift for transfer as my earlier loader, but the arms are free to be rotated differently from dead center position to rotate either end of the load to the dock or building doorway. The loader can be rotated to and from the dock by hand or by cable and winch or by a separate reversible drive or motor for each arm.

Abstract: Trailers are loaded on and unloaded from railroad flatcars by use of a system including tractors to pull the trailers, an end ramp at the end of the train, and a movable side ramp structure at the side of the train. The movable ramp structure has a ramp and a retractable bridge extending from the top of the ramp to the top of a flatcar in the train. In unloading, a tractor drives up the movable ramp and across the bridge to get onto the flatcar. Then the bridge is retracted, the tractor hitches onto one of the trailers, and pulls it along the joined beds of the flatcars and down the end ramp. The tractor then takes the trailer to a storage area, unhitches the trailer, and returns to the movable ramp structure to repeat the process. While the first tractor is pulling the trailer along the tops of the flatcars, the movable ramp structure moves to a position near the next trailer to be unloaded, and extends the bridge again.

Abstract: A rail car transporting and shipping system including a shipping floor having an edge, a plurality of elongated pits within the shipping floor and aligned in side-by-side relation and further having open ends at said edge, first railroad rails in each of the pits extending to the edge and adapted to receive a rail car, and a traveling crane movable in a path adjacent the edge and the pit ends. An elongated carriage is mounted on the traveling crane for vertical movement with respect thereto and second railroad rails are disposed on the carriage alignable with the first rails in each of the pits when the carriage is in a lowered position. A hoist is provided for raising and lowering the carriage on the traveling crane and a coupler structure is mounted on the carriage for movement in a direction parallel to the second rails.

Abstract: This invention is a loader-unloader and storage system for loads such as cargo containers or trailers to transfer them to or from trains or vehicles moving by. This loader has a lift frame with forks or hooks for engaging under to hold a load. The frame is pivotally secured on a plurality of parallel crank arms each mounted to rotate on a vertical pivot to form a parallelogram linkage. The arms are supported on wheels that run on a circular track concentric under each crank arm. The track has slopes to lift and lower the arms together according to the rotary position of the arms and track to transfer loads to or from a vehicle having side latches coupled the the forks, the frame, or the load. A load receiver cooperates for removing loads from the lift frame nonstop so the loader can be used to unload or load successive loads. One receiver is a conveyor having two chain runs which receive the load from the loader and move the load back to clear a place to set the next load thereon.

Abstract: General cargo must be stowed differently when being transported by ships, or by railway waggons and trucks, respectively. To reduce the time a ship is tied up in port, a transhipping station is provided, where work can proceed before the ship arrives and after the ship has left port. This station is arranged so it is available along one side to railway waggons carried by special transport devices, remotely from railway tracks, at a second side is available to cargo-bigflats, suited for cargo handling on board ships, and possibly also, along a third side, being available to road trucks.