INTRODUCTION TO INVENTION

This invention relates to lifting and manipulating devices for containers and in particular to a lifting device adapted for attachment to the top or the underneath of a bulk container unit so as to effectively become an integral part of said container whilst providing a means of manipulating the container onto and off transport as well as manipulating the container whilst on the ground.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Bulk storage or transport of freightable material is often effected by the use of containers. Such containers are typically large and bulky metal boxes of uniform sizes which are readily stored or stacked together and are adapted for ease of transport by attachment to a truck or train tray chassis.

Although the storage of such containers and the transport, once fitted to rail or road prime movers, is relatively efficient; the manner and means of manipulating such bulky containers on and off transporters and into storage is far from efficient.

To date, containers are on-loaded, off-loaded and manipulated on site by the use of external lifting devices.

The types of lifting devices commonly used to manipulate containers fall into a number of categories but can be summarized as follows :-

1. Fork Lifts

Fork lifts are an extremely versatile lifting machine but due to their high expense as a capitol item and high maintenance and operational costs such

machines are only available at well equipped sites. Building sites for example, which take delivery of containers by road, would not always have fork lift truck on site to assist in on-loading and off-loading containers. Furthermore, it is not possible for a container driver or operator to carry a fork lift truck of sufficient capacity along with the container due to the size and logistical difficulties involved.

2. Side-lifters

Side lifters provide further mobility in transporting containers. However, the costs involved in providing such equipment are prohibitive and such facilities are usually only available at well equipped sites. A further difficulty with side lifters is the requirement for space equivalent to about 3 times the width of the container being lifted in which to operate.

3. Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes are in principle a static system often designed to handle high tonnage loads. The costs of such a system are very high and only suited to on site location generally in association with sites dedicated to container or other high tonnage handling.

4. Accessories for use with containers.

Numerous lifting jigs and jacks are available for application to containers where a substantially portable lifting device can be located on site or carried with a container to provide a means of jacking up a container from a transporting vehicle.

Such a lifting device is disclosed in WO 92/19527. Although such lifting devices are an improvement on the expensive cranes or fork lift trucks, the potential high tonnage of a loaded container in conjunction with the instability of a series of separate jack at each corner of a container does not provide a totally satisfactory solution to the problem of lifting and manoeuvering a

container. In particular the lifting device disclosed in WO 92/19527 requires the services of a fork lift truck to facilitate installation of the device.

Other lifting devices are known which utilize a rigid chassis having a plurality of lifting jacks. For example, U.S. Patents 3,460,697, 4,053,073, 3,520,433, 4,522,550, 3,152,709 describe substantially unitary rigid chassis which are able to support a container and assist in the on loading and off loading of a container to an awaiting truck. However, none of these disclosures provide a handling system adapted for the movement of a container, in particular the lateral horizontal movement, of a container once it has been elevated for loading onto transport. The ability to move the container small distances is a particularly important problem which has not been addressed by any of the prior art devices or systems available to handle containers.

Furthermore, none of the prior art devices are able to attach to the top of a container such that a single container handling system or pallet can be used on multiple containers. An overhead crane can be used to fit such a device to a container thereby avoiding the need for full gross fork lifts or other type of mobile cranes.

The problems of on-loading and off-loading containers is only satisfactorily accomplished at very well equipped sites by the use of sophisticated and highly costly and dedicated equipment. Moreover, the ability to manipulate, that is manoeuver, containers small distances is only available with the use of the same equipment used for loading the containers.

Clearly there is a need for a more efficient and versatile means of moving containers small distances - e.g. to facilitate moving a container up and down to assist alignment with a loading bay or primarily small distances sideways to align the containers for example, with the locking pins on transport or walk the container laterally.

OB.IECT AND STATEMENT OF INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide an improved full gross container handling system.

Accordingly the invention provides in one aspect a container pallet comprising a chassis adapted to engagably receive a container unit and two or more lifting arms fitted to said chassis and adapted for independent or co-ordinated movement to effect the controlled movement of a container fitted to said container pallet in any required vertical or lateral horizontal direction wherein said chassis has a substantially rigid frame dimensioned to allow stable engagement of a container, and said lifting arms comprise a lateral extending member attached to said chassis frame and adapted for controllable movement in a lateral direction away from or toward said frame and a raising member attached to said lateral extending member and adapted for controllable movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lateral extending member such that the combined controlled movement of the lateral extending members and raising members of the lifting arms of said container pallet provide for the controlled manipulation of said container pallet and engaged container in any required vertical or lateral horizontal direction.

Preferably the raising member is rotatably attached to said lateral extending member and adapted to support the container pallet on the ground or floor.

The raising member may incorporate a hydraulic ram or screw operated lifting means to effect the raising and lowering of the container pallet.

The lateral extending member may be hydraulic ram or screw operated and telescopically fitted to the frame in a load transfer tube. The load transfer tube may form an integral part of the frame to add rigidity to the chassis.

A container pallet wherein said co-ordinated movement is provided by a mechanical interaction with the raising member being rotatably attached and axially anchored to the lateral extending members by a stub axle wherein said stub axle and lateral extending member are moved in a lateral direction by the action of a rotation and extension hydraulic cylinder housed with in and fitted to said load transfer tube at one end thereof and said stub axle at the other end thereof and said stub axle is provided with a cylindrical rotation tube which fits co-axially between said lateral extension member and said rotation and extension cylinder wherein said cylindrical rotation tube is provided with a spiral slot adapted to engage a rotation pin fitted to the body of said rotation and extension cylinder such that upon activation of said rotation and extension cylinder the lateral extension tube and stub axle is made to move laterally in unison whilst the stub axle is simultaneously made to rotate upon engagement of the spiral slot by the rotation pin.

The container pallet preferably has at least four lifting arms positioned adjacent to each corner of the frame which is dimensioned and shaped to correspond with the underside of a container unit such that upon retraction of the lifting arms the external plan dimensions of the container pallet do not exceed the plan dimensions of a container. Preferably, the lifting arms fitted to either side of each load transfer tube are adapted for co-ordinated movement to effect the horizontal lateral movement of said pallet.

In another aspect, the invention provides a top loading pallet comprising a sub chassis of substantially unitary construction adapted to engagably receive a container and two chassis units fitted to said sub chassis and adapted to pivot and adopt a position abutting either end of a container wherein each chassis unit is provided with two lifting arms adapted for independent or co-ordinated movement to effect the controlled movement of a container fitted to said container pallet in any required vertical or horizontal lateral direction wherein said chassis units have a substantially rigid frame and said lifting arms comprise

a lateral extending member attached to said chassis and adapted for controllable movement in a lateral direction away from or toward said frame and a housing member attached to said lateral extending member and adapted for controllable movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lateral extending member such that the combined controlled movement of the lateral extending members and the raising members of the lifting arms of said container pallet provide for the controlled manipulation of said engaged pallet in any required vertical or lateral horizontal direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

One particularly preferred form of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a view of the fully retracted underside container pallet without a container fixed thereto.

Figure 2 shows the underside container pallet with the lifting arms partially extended laterally.

Figure 3 shows the lifting arms of the underside container pallet rotated and extended to contact the ground and lift the pallet up off the ground floor.

Figure 4 shows the underside container pallet fitted with a container and loaded onto a truck.

Figures 5 to 7 show a cross-section of the load transfer tube detailing the operating mechanism of the lifting arms at three stages of operation.

Figure 8 shows a top loading container pallet with a container fixed thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

One embodiment of invention will now be described in greater detail by reference to figure 1 which shows the underside container pallet having a chassis 1 of rectangular configuration and dimensioned to correspond with the underside of a container unit, the chassis has a frame general box channel construction and incorporates container engaging lugs and pins 2 at each corner adapted to receive and engage corresponding eyes on a container such that a container may be securely and stably engaged to the chassis 1 to form a substantially integral unit such that most manipulations of a container can be effected through the chassis.

Lifting arms 3 are fitted to each corner of the chassis and are shown in a fully retracted state such that no part of the arms protrudes beyond the existing outside dimensions of the chassis which correspond to the outside dimensions of a container fitted to said chassis. In this manner the lifting arms are protected from transit damage.

The container engaging lugs and pins 2 are housed in corner block assemblies 16 which form the outermost corners of the chassis. The assemblies 16 are attached to the main channel components of the chassis. The chassis is constructed from two longitudinal steel channel sections 17 joined to two lateral end sections 18. Adjacent said end sections 18 are fitted load transfer tubes 5 of a substantially square channel section. The load transfer tubes extend the full width of the main chassis unit to expose open ends 20 and are positioned in close proximity to the lateral end sections 18 to reinforce the chassis and provide additional rigity to the chassis.

The inside of the chassis channel section 17 may be provided with fold up handles 19 which may be engaged by fork lift tyres to provide a means of moving the pallet only when a container is removed from the pallet thereby

minimizing the possibility of damaging the chassis by distortion.

Referring now to Figure 2, the lifting arms 3 are shown in partially extended position such that they now extend laterally in a direction planar to that of the chassis and protrude a sufficient distance to clear the dimensions of a container (and trailer of a road vehicle). The lifting arms comprise a lateral extending member 4 telescopically fitted within the load transfer tube 5 through the open end 20. The lateral extending member 4 has attached at its outer end a raising member 6 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder which incorporates a shaft 7 and foot 8.

Referring now to Figure 3, the container pallet is shown with the lifting arms in their rotated position with the shaft 7 extended to contact the foot 8 with the ground. The raising member 6 is pivotally connected to the exposed end of the lateral extending member 4 by means of a stub axle adapted to engage a brass bearing block housed at the terminal end of the lateral extending member. The rotating capacity of the raising member 6 has been provided to allow the bulky raising member cylinder 6 to be stored in a horizontal orientation alongside the frame 1 when not in use but to be pivoted around into a substantially vertical orientation when required to provide lift for the container and pallet.

In operation, the raising member 6 is snugly housed in a horizontal orientation against the steel channel section 17 and protected by the projections of the corner block assemblies 16. Activation of the raising member 6 firstly extends the raising member laterally whilst still in a horizontal orientation until a point is reached where the side of a fitted container has been cleared. In the same continuous action, the continued extension of the raising member, by the telescopic extension of the lateral extending member 4, results in the rotation of the raising member 6 to a substantially upright or vertical position as the lifting arm 3 reaches its full lateral extension. Upon reaching the full lateral extension, the raising members are positioned directly above the ground in a

vertical direction and ready to lift the pallet (and fitted container). The raising members are then activated by extending the hydraulic cylinder to project the shaft 7 and foot 8 thereby contacting the ground and lifting the pallet and fitted container above the ground.

Figure 4 shows a container pallet fully fitted with a container 15 as loaded to a transportation vehicle. The streamline dimensioning of the chassis 1 adopts the same plan dimensions of a container. The lifting arms 3 are fully tucked up into the chassis and are protected from damage by the outer corner block assemblies 16 and the bulk of the container.

The mechanical operation of the lifting arms can be understood by reference to

Figures 5, 6 and 7. Figure 5 shows a plan view in cross-section of one end of the chassis with one corner of the pallet shown. The end section of the chassis 18 is joined to the longitudinal section 17. A small distance from the end section is fitted the load transfer tube 5. The load transfer tube is a hollow channel which is fitted through a hole in the longitudinal section and welded thereto. The load transfer tube traverses the width of the chassis and provides an integral channel section which braces the chassis to minimize twist and distortion. The inside of the load transfer tube 5 is machined to close tolerances to accept a lateral extending member 4 in snug telescopic engagement. The lateral extending member 4 is a channel section steel unit of a little less than half the length of the load transfer tube and is machined to close tolerance so as to provide a smooth and snug telescopic fit to the inside of the load transfer tube 5. The tolerances of the snug fit are not critical but it is preferred that the vertical tolerance be very close so as to allow only a minimal movement of the telescopically engaged lateral extending member 4 in a vertical orientation whilst the horizontal tolerance may provide a degree of horizontal movement to allow for the horizontal adjustment of pallet where one end of the pallet may be moved at a time without causing any binding of the lateral extending members. The outer end of the load transfer tubes are fitted with an outer

bronze bearing 23 at the end of the tube and an inbore bronze bearing 24. The twin bronze bearings accommodate a stub axle 10. The stub axle is held in axial alignment by an outer collar 30 fitted to the external end of the stub axle and a rotation tube 25 fitted to the internal end of the stub axle. The rotation tube is cylindrical in section and dimensioned to fit over the stub axle and abut the inbore bronze bearing 24 at one end, and of a suitable outside diameter to fit within the lateral extension member 4 so as to allow rotation within the lateral extension member. The external end of the stub axle is fitted with a clamping ring 28 which is adapted to receive the raising member 6. In this manner, the raising member 6 of the lifting arm can be rotated co-axially about the lateral extension member but is held in axial alignment with the lateral extension member such that the stub axle and lateral extension member can only move in unison in a lateral direction but the stub axle is free to rotate relative to the lateral extension member. The rotation of the stub axle is controlled and co-ordinated with the lateral movement of the lateral extension member by the action of one hydraulic rotation and extension cylinder 11. The rotation and extension cylinder body is mounted within the load transfer tube to an assembly pin 13. The assembly pin 13 passes through the load transfer tube 5 at slots 14 and is positioned substantially midway in the center of the load transfer tube 5. The rotation and extension cylinders for both left and right mechanisms are attached to the one common pin 13. The rotation and extension cylinder 11 is dimensioned to fit within the rotation tube 25 and has its shaft 12 attached to the inner end of the stub axle 10. The assembly pin 13 is held in place relative to the load transfer tube 5 by the action of two lateral adjustment cylinders 9 such that the activation of the rotation and extension cylinder 11 causes the stub axle 10 and lateral extension tube 4 to move laterally in and out of the load transfer tube 5. The co-ordinated rotation of the stub axle is effected by a spiral slot 26 which is formed in the rotation tube which surrounds the rotation and extension cylinder. The body of the rotation and extension cylinder is provided with a rotation pin and bearing 27 which is adapted to engage the spiral slot 26. The body of the rotation and extension cylinder is prevented

from rotation by its attachment to the assembly pin 13 and similarly the rotation pin and bearing are also prevented from rotating. The stub axle and rotation tube 25 are, however free to rotate and as the rotation and extension cylinder causes the stub axle and lateral extension member to move out from the chassis, the spiral section of the rotation cylinder causes the stub axle to rotate. The mode of operation and co-ordination of the lateral and rotational movement of the raising member can be appreciated with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 details the lateral extension member 4 at partial extension where the lateral extension member 4 and stub axle 10 have been moved laterally by the expansion of the rotation and extension cylinder 11 and shaft 12. The rotation pin and bearing 27 have moved relative to the axial section of the spiral slot 26 to the point where the spiral section of the slot begins. At this point, the raising member 6 has nearly reached the point where it has cleared the external dimensions of the pallet container as seen by reference to the corner block assembly 16.

Referring now to Figure 7, the continued action of the rotation and extension cylinder 11 and shaft 12 have extended the lateral extension member 4 and stub axle 10 to full extension. The influence of the spiral section of the spiral slot acting on the fixed rotation pin and bearing 27 have caused the rotation tube 25 and stub axle 10 to rotate. The rotation of the axle 10 in turn has caused the raising cylinder 3 to be rotated into a substantially vertical orientation. The vertically of the raising cylinder is only effected in a co-ordinated action which ensures that the lateral extension member has moved out from the chassis a sufficient amount to allow the raising members to fully clear the container and pallet.

The chassis is provided with four identical mechanisms at each corner and the co-ordinated action of the four mechanisms acts to provide the means of lifting the pallet and container from the ground or from a trailer.

Once the pallet is supported by the four lifting arms, the vertical position ^" of the pallet can be controlled by the action of the raising members 3. The horizontal position of the pallet can also be adjusted in a lateral direction by the provision of two lateral adjustment cylinders 9. The lateral adjustment cylinders are fitted s to the outside of the load transfer tube 5 with their shafts attached to either end of the assembly pin 13. The assembly pin 13 passes through the load transfer tube and anchors the rotation and extension cylinder 11 such that all lateral movement of the lifting arms is effected relative to the assembly pin. Accordingly, the lateral movement of the assembly pin from side to side will o cause the whole chassis to move from side to side or laterally as may be required to position the container pallet. The assembly pin is normally held in a substantially central position to allow for the co-ordinated retraction of the raising members where the reverse rotation of the rotating member occurs at the correct centralized lateral position. The ability of the lateral adjustment s cylinders to "upset" the centering of the extension members may effect the co¬ ordinated rotation of the raising members and in order to ensure the correct co¬ ordinated action of the raising member and the lateral extension member a micro-switch is positioned to ensure that the rotation and extension cylinder is only activated when the lateral adjustment cylinders have positioned the o assembly pin 13 in a central position.

EXAMPLE TWO

In another embodiment the invention provides a top loading version of the container pallet. Instead of fitting the container pallet underneath a container, this embodiment of the same invention provides for the fitting of the container 5 pallet to the topside of a container. In this manner, a single container pallet can be fitted to multiple containers in sequence such that only one container pallet is needed to facilitate the handling of a plurality of separate containers. In most respects the mechanical elements of the top loading container pallet are identical to the mechanical elements and mode of operation of the previously described

underside loading option. The top loading pallet however does not require the lifting arms 3 to rotate automatically upon lateral extension as the raising member 6 is already in the vertical orientation. Accordingly, the stub axle 10 does not incorporate the rotation tube 25.

s Referring to Figure 8 the top loading example of the container pallet is shown in two possible versions of operation. The container pallet has a sub-chassis 31 of rectangular configuration and unitary construction dimensioned to correspond with the topside of a container unit 15. The sub-chassis is provided with comer block assemblies 16 having lugs and pins, which may be o hydraulically operated, adapted to engage the container 15. Two alternative types of chassis units 1 or la are shown which may be attached to the sub chassis. Two distinct methods of attachment are exemplified in the one Figure 8. On the left side of the container is shown the pivotal method of attachment where the chassis unit la is pivoted from the sub chassis 31 at the comer block s 16 by a hinge 32. The hinge and locking pins are adapted to fit into the lugs of the comer block and provides a means of pivoting the whole chassis unit la from a vertical position (as shown) to a position about 10° off vertical. The pivoting of chassis unit la is effected by hydraulic cylinders 36 which are anchored to the sub chassis 31. In operation the sub chassis would be lowered 0 onto a container with both chassis units splayed from vertical to allow ease of positioning over a container. Upon securing of the sub chassis to the container by location of the lugs and pins to the container, the hydraulic cylinders 36 extend and move the two chassis units la to a substantially vertical position such that the lower comer block 16a of the container can be fully engaged by 5 location with the lugs and pins 2. Once secured, the chassis unit is then able to form an integral part of the container and the lifting arms 3 can be operated in an analogous manner to the operation described for the underside pallet.

An alternative method of locating the chassis unit to the sub chassis is shown

on the right side of the Figure 8 where the chassis unit lb is slidably located and fixed to the sub chassis by rails 34 positioned on top of the sub chassis 31. The chassis unit is provided with roller wheels adapted to engage the top rail 34 which has rounded ends 35 such that upon slidably moving the chassis unit lb off the top of the container it begins to project over the end of the container until the rails guide it to flip over into a substantially vertical orientation. Once in the vertical orientation the chassis unit lb is fixed to the container and operated as previously described.

PALLET ELECTRICS

Power supply to the pallet may be either internal PC or from external sources at 240 or 415 volt.

Three phase electrical power is directly used or split into single phases and fed to separate 240 V motors which supply power to separate hydraulic pumps for activation of the hydraulic cylinders. The electrical equipment complies with zone 2 requirements and is wateφroof and supplied with heat dissipators as required depending on location.

PALLET HYDRAULICS

The raising members comprise hydraulic cylinders 6 of 100 to 150 mm internal diameter, stroke 1600 mm and shaft diameter of 75 to 100 mm operated with a pressure of 3000 psi.

The lateral adjustment cylinders 9 are provided as hydraulic cylinders of 100 mm internal diameter with 300 mm stroke and a shaft of 40 mm diameter and operated with a pressure of 3000 psi.

The rotation and extension cylinders 11 are provided by hydraulic cylinders of

40 to 75 mm internal diameter with a 750 mm stroke and a shaft of 25 mm diameter and operated with a pressure of 3000 psi.

The hydraulic power may be provided internally by way single or of multiple electrical pumps to generate the hydraulic pressure or by external supply of hydraulic pressure.

PALLET CONTROLS

On each side of the pallet there are four momentary contact buttons. These are marked left extend, right extend, left retract, right retract. On pressing and holding the left extend button, the leg extends beyond the edge of the pallet, initiates a 90 degree rotation until it is vertical.

The raising member then extends until the foot touches the ground and some weight is taken up. The button is then released. This procedure is repeated for each leg.

The operator then removes a pedestal control box from it's housing. Connection is via a multi core anaconda cable or optional infrared remote control.

The control box has 8 momentary contact buttons marked move left, move right, extend, retract, left, right, front and rear. These like the comer buttons are low voltage DC.

On pressing extend or retract, all four raising member cylinders act simultaneously.

On holding down one of the left, right, front or rear buttons then pressing extend, or retract, that action is achieved, e.g., holding down the front and extend buttons, causes the front of the pallet to raise.

The move left, move right buttons do exactly as marked. They move the'pallet in relation to the raising member cylinders.

Protection from tipping is to be provided by mercury switches that isolate the lower side of the circuit and prevent the pallet tilting unacceptably to either side. The front-back tipping is not so much of a problem but similar precautions can be installed.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

A particularly preferred mode of operation of the invention will now be described with reference to the foregoing figures and detailed description.

In use, the container pallet provides an accessory for semi permanent attachment to a container to provide a container with an in situ, self contained hydraulically activated lifting frame for on-loading, off-loading and short distance movement up, down and sideways.

The four lifting arms extend laterally from the frame, four hydraulic rams that act as raising members are attached to the legs, rotate to vertical if required; then extend to the ground to lift the pallet and the attached container free of a t ck or train. Once the tmck is clear, the arms can lower the pallet to ground or any desired height.

When loading onto a tmck as the mode of transport, the pallet is lifted above tmck height and the tmck backs under the pallet. Horizontal adjustment is provided by the pallet hydraulics. Longitudinal adjustment is by tmck movement.

Once retracted all hydraulic components are contained within the physical dimensions of the pallet, which in plan is identical to standard containers, (not

applicable to top load version).

The pallet can be self loaded onto transport or by the fold up forklift tyne handles provided. These handles are for loading the pallet only. The top loading version is also self loading or can be located by overhead crane.

Alternatively, full gross lifting fork holes may be provided but would necessitate different lifting rams installed and a slightly thicker pallet.

The comers of the lifting pallet comprise of standard container comer blocks below standard container retraining tmck twist locks.

The lifting pallet does require external electric power. 415 Volt AC is offered as a standard but 240 Volt and direct current can be provided as an option.

SYSTEM OPERATION

1. UNLOADING OF CONTAINER AND PALLET

Tmck arrives with a container on board already fitted with a container pallet of the invention or subsequently fitted upon arrival (top load version only). Driver positions container, unlocks load and connects power to the container pallet. While power is supplied to the pallet the on board hydraulic system can provide 3000 pounds per square inch pressure to supply all facilities on demand.

Driver or operator moves to the fixed controls located centrally on either side of the pallet.

Controls comprise 2 levers marked (or four buttons). 1. Front 2. Rear

Extend/Retract Extend/Retract

Operator holds down the extend lever.

The selected lifting arm extends laterally outward from the side of the pallet until the raising member is clear of the container where lateral and rotational movement occur simultaneously, this movement continues until the raising member cylinders are vertical and the lateral extending member is fully extended. At the end of lateral travel a hydraulic sequencing valve operates directing fluid to the raising member cylinders extending the shaft until the foot touches the ground. At this point the operator releases the control lever.

Note: The raising member cylinders appear standard externally, but the internal piston and the ram head have been specially fabricated to enhance their lateral load capacities.

Operator repeats this process for all legs.

Controls for extension and retraction have been located centrally on the sides so that the operator is in direct control of the immediate vicinity enhancing the occupational health and safety aspects.

Operator extracts the stored pallet lifting controls.

This control box is connected to the pallet by a flexible multiple core cable and enables the operator to raise or lower the pallet by energizing all four raising member cylinders simultaneously. Lateral adjustment of the pallet is also possible relative to the raising members. Controls comprise of six buttons marked :-

Front left. Front right. Raise. Lower. Rear left. Rear right. Left, right.

Operator holds down the Raise button.

All four lifting cylinders are energized, the pallet and container are elevated clear of the tmck locking pins.

Tmck is then driven clear.

It should be noted that all the raising member cylinders are fitted with Counter Balance Valves.

This means that the cylinders have to be pumped up and down, they will not lower under load even if a hose mptures.

Operator holds down the lower button.

Pallet and container are lowered to the desired height, power to the pallet is turned off locking the system.

Container can be loaded or unloaded as required.

2. LOADING OF CONTAINER AND PALLET.

Tmck arrives to remove pallet and the container or container only.

Driver backs tmck up to pallet and container, using the sides of the container for sighting.

Operator turns on power to the pallet and presses the Raise button.

Raising member cylinders elevate pallet and container above tmck tray height.

Driver backs tmck under pallet till the comer blocks and the tmck locking pins line up.

As longitudinal adjustment (Front back) is simple for the driver no facility has been provided on the pallet.

Operator positions the pallet laterally over the tmck.

By pressing the Left or Right buttons on the controls till the pallet comer blocks are directly above the tmcks locking pins.

Operator presses the Lower button.

Raising member cylinders lower the pallet and container onto the tmcks locking pins. When the load is taken by the track the shafts continue to retract until all four shafts are fully retracted.

Operator stows the lifting control and cable in the provided compartment and proceeds to the individual leg controls and presses up the retract lever.

Raising member cylinders rotates from vertical to horizontal and retract the lifting arms into the pallet.

Operator repeats the precess for all arms. Locks pallet to tmck and disconnects power from pallet.

Track departs

On arrival at the destination Eg. Container export terminal, the container is lifted from the pallet by either rated forklift or overhead crane, the track is free then to pick up another full container for delivery or an empty one for loading.

From the foregoing the invention can be seen to provide a highly versatile and

economical means of container handling having at least the following advantages over currently available equipment and methods:-

The handling system of the invention is adapted to provide both vertical and lateral horizontal adjustment to a container for assistance in both onloading and offloading from a vehicle but also for micro adjustment of a container when removed from a vehicle.

A flat rack facility for the transportation (all modes) of goods that extend beyond the internal dimensions of conventional containers, and then on¬ load and off-load accordingly.

A facility that alleviates the use of a packing consolidator, hence providing for client packing or unpacking of a container or flat rack and as a consequence taking advantage of economies.

A facility that on-loads and off-loads containers or flat racks without the need for extreme infrastmcture (space). That is, to be able to on-load and off-load virtually within the dimensions of a container or flat rack.

A facility that on-loads and off-loads containers or flat racks without the need for highly expensive equipment currently in use for this puφose.

To allow those transporters the opportunity to enter a market that they currently cannot service due the high cost of equipment associated with on-loading and off-loading of containers and flat racks.

A facility that will regulate the container height so as to compliment loading bay heights which do vary from premise to premise and permit mechanical packing/unpacking Eg. Forklift, conveyors.

To free up the transport that delivers empty containers for packing, thus eliminating the cost of waiting time.

Will on-load and off-load 20' or 40' containers from track trays.

Can be used as a shipping flat rack then on-loads and off-loads by utilizing the mechanics of the invention.

Importers/exporters can pack or unpack their own containers given that the container is at ground level.

Containers can be on-loaded and off-loaded within the width of the container - plus 500 mm clearance on both sides.

Alleviates the use of expensive container handling equipment.

Provides the opportunity for transporters to offer additional container handling services.

Container height can be regulated so as to comply with required loading bay heights.

The container and pallet can be walked horizontally in steps. Eg. to the next loading bay for different cargo.

Once the track delivers the container and lifting pallet the track is free for further work, thus negating the payment of waiting time or the rent for a non adjustable trailer.

Provides companies with their own flat bed track the ability to handle containers, without large capital investment, or the continuing expense

for specialized transport.

Remote work sites such as pipeline laying or mechanical erection which have diesel welding machines can power the lifting pallet to deliver pallets of pipe, steel or site offices without the requirement of heavy cranes.

The lifting pallet can be shipped overseas with the container if the delivery site requires the facility or pallets become available through container leasing companies.

Lifting pallets when stacked 10 high and locked occupy the space of one standard container, and would be handled the same as a normal container. Maximum stacking height is 50 pallets high.

The main advantage of the lifting pallet is price. Transport companies could handle containers with a capital investment which is a fraction of equivalent equipment. Companies that have tracks waiting while containers are loaded, would get a return on their investment after approximately 12 months.

The invention has numerous applications and is not limited to the two examples provided which are preferred embodiments only.

In particular to top loading embodiment of the invention provides a ready means of upgrading existing cranes where a standard 5 tonne overhead crane can be upgraded to manipulate a 45 tonne load.

The Lifting pallet principle can also be offered as a self powered built in version. This variation would be targeted at the portable office/accommodation shelters.

Solar panels would supply 24 Volt deep cycle batteries. A control panel and invertor would provide 240 Volt AC power. 1000 Amp Hours of power is available from the batteries without solar supplementation.

Advantage of this option is that it is totally self powered. The systems would unload the building from transport, be self leveling up to 15 degrees, and provide power for lighting, air-conditioning, communication and cooking.

PARTS LIST

1. CHASSIS

2. CONTAINER ENGAGING LUG AND ROTAΗNG LOCKING PIN

3. LIFTING ARMS 4. LATERAL EXTENDING MEMBER

5. LOAD TRANSFER TUBE

6. RAISING MEMBER CYLINDER

7. SHAFT

8. FOOT 9. LATERAL ADJUSTMENT CYLINDER

10. STUB AXLE

11. ROTATION AND EXTENSION CYLINDER

12. EXTENSION SHAFT

13. ASSEMBLY PIN 14. SLOT

15. CONTAINER

16. CORNER BLOCK ASSEMBLY

17. LONGITUDINAL STEEL CHANNEL SECTION

18. LATERAL STEEL END SECTIONS 19. FOLD UP FORK LIFT TYNE HANDLES

20. LOAD TUBE OPEN END

21. EXTENSION LEG

22. EXTENSION LEG END

23. OUTER BRONZE BEARING 24. INBORE BRONZE BEARING

25. ROTATION TUBE

26. SPIRAL SLOT

27. ROTATION PIN AND BEARING

28. CLAMPING RING. 29. ATTACHMENT BRACKETS AND PIN.

30. OUTER COLLAR

31. SUB CHASSIS

32. HINGE

33. RAILS 34. ROUNDED ENDS

35. HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS