Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a portable container loading apparatus and to methods of deploying and operating such a portable container loading apparatus.

Background of the invention

Shipping containers are very widely used for transporting materials, by sea and also by road from point of origin to port and from port to destination. Due to the very large numbers of such shipping containers that can be carried on each ship, all shipping containers are standardised, both in dimensions and in terms of opening sizes and position for loading. Shipping containers are elongate and openable at one end by a pair of hinged doors. Goods and materials to be loaded are placed in the container through the doors. The doors are then shut and locked and the container is transported to its destination.

Summary of the invention

The inventors have realised that loose materials can be shipped with a shipping container. However, it is difficult to load such loose materials into a shipping container without packaging the material and loading it into the container. However, if the container is lifted onto its end prior to loading, then loose material can be placed directly into the container. The less shipping of the loose material that is needed before placing in the container, the lower the cost and the easier the logistics become.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable container loading apparatus for loading a shipping container, the apparatus comprising a base frame, a support frame for supporting a container, a mounting for mounting the support frame to the base frame, one or more securing devices for securing the container to the support frame, a support frame actuator which is operable to move the support frame between a receiving position and a loading position, and at least one load bearing member for supporting the apparatus when in an operating configuration.

The or each load bearing member may comprise a load bearing foot. In this way, the weight of the apparatus may be supported when in the operating configuration on a relatively small footprint of one or more feet, and only a relatively small ground contact area need be retracted when the apparatus is to be moved. l The load bearing member(s) may be retractable from the operating configuration to a transit configuration. In this way, the feet can be deployed when needed to support the apparatus but retracted when the apparatus is to be moved, so that they are not in the way when the apparatus is being moved, but can support the weight of the apparatus when it is to be used. By deploying the feet, they can also be used to fix the apparatus in place when they are deployed and allow the apparatus to be transported when retracted.

At least one of the load bearing members may be mounted on a first arm which is moveable between a transit position and a deployed position. This allows the feet to be deployed and retracted for transport in a convenient manner. The first arm may be pivotably coupled to the base frame. This allows that the arm, and the foot/load bearing member attached thereto can be swung between a deployed position and a retracted transit position

The first arm may be directly mounted to the base frame. This allows for a compact configuration. A driving mechanism may also be connected to the arm and to the base frame to drive the pivoting movement. Alternatively, the first arm may be mounted to the base frame via an appropriate mechanism, for example a pivoting or extending mechanism which drives the pivoting motion of the arm.

A pair of first arms may be pivotably coupled to the base frame. The pair may be mounted on opposing sides of the base frame and may operate symmetrically. The pivot axis of the first arm(s) may be substantially vertical. This allows for the arm(s) to swing substantially horizontally away from the base frame to deployed position and an operating configuration of the apparatus, in which the foot/load bearing member can engage with the ground to support the apparatus. The first arm(s) may extend beside the base frame for all of its length or just a part of its length. In other words, the arm may be coupled to the base frame at or adjacent one end of the elongate base frame, with the load bearing member mounted at or beyond the other end of the base frame, the arm extending the whole length of the base frame, or beyond the base frame. Alternatively, the arm may be coupled to the base frame part way along the length of the base frame, but may still extend beyond the base frame at the opposite end. In this way, the arm may run at least the entire length of the base frame, and/or be longer than the base frame, or may run only part way.

In the deployed position, the end of each first arms, distal to a respective pivot point, may be wider apart than when in the transit position. This can provide lateral stability to the apparatus. The pair of first arms may be moveable between the transit and deployed position with at least one arm actuator. As mentioned above, this may be mounted between the base frame and a respective arm. The actuator may be a push ram, which may be hydraulically driven to move the arm(s) between their deployed positions and retracted positions. Alternatively, the arm actuators may be driven, either directly, or indirectly, by one or more hydraulic rams. Movement of the arm actuator(s) relative to the arms may cause the first arm(s) to move between the transit and deployed positions.

In the deployed position, the first arms may be splayed from the base frame. In the transit position, the first arms may be retracted toward the base frame. In this way, moving the first arms from the transit position to the deployed position is obtained by pivoting the arms so that the feet move laterally away from the base frame, and provide lateral stability in a relatively simple manner, both from an operating perspective, and from a simplicity of construction and load bearing perspective.

The apparatus may comprise two pairs of first arms. These may be mounted with one pair at one end or one side of the apparatus and one pair at an opposing end or side. This provides a simple manner of providing four separated load bearing members for bearing the weight of the apparatus when in the operating configuration. Each first arm may have more than one load bearing member attached thereto. One may be mounted at a point distal to the pivot point. The other may be mounted closer to the pivot point. This may be the case for the pair of first arms. The splaying movement of the arms may be sufficient to move the load bearing member closest to the pivot laterally by an amount sufficient to allow this load bearing member to be lowered to the ground.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one telescopic arm may be provided, which may be coupled to the base frame, on which one of the load bearing members may be mounted the telescopic arm. Each load bearing member may be connected to a respective telescopic arm distal to the base frame and the telescopic arm(s) telescope the respective feet away from the base frame from a transit position to a deployed position. In this way, load bearing members may be provided in a compact and easily deployable manner. These may be combined with the pivoting first arms discussed above. A pair of telescopic arms may be provided. This can provide a symmetrical deployment to support the base frame. The second arm(s) may telescope substantially horizontally. Instead of being telescopic arms, one or more second pivot arms may be provided. These may pivot through 90 degrees about a vertical axis from a retracted position to a deployed position.

The apparatus, in the transit position, may fit within the footprint or gauge of a flat bed trailer - 12.5m long x 2.9m wide. In this way, when the apparatus is in transit, it can be placed on a normal road trailer, without need for any special authorisation in order to be transported on the roads. A normal trailer and normal cab also reduce the cost of transporting the apparatus. The provision of the retracting load bearing members allows the apparatus to be transported and then to take its own weight when it is to be used. The base frame may be elongate along an in-use substantially horizontal axis, and all the load bearing members may move laterally of the base frame to their deployed positions. This again makes for easy transport and easy deployment as the arms deploy the load bearing members away from the trailer on which the apparatus is mounted, so that they can engage with the ground and take the weight of the apparatus. The base frame may comprise two parts, including a fixed part which rests on the ground in high friction contact therewith, and a moveable part, which is mounted to move relative to the fixed part. The relative movement may be in a substantially horizontal direction or plane. The moveable part may be mounted on one or more rollers, wheels and/or skid plates to reduce friction between it and the ground on which it is positioned to allow the moveable part to move relative to the fixed part. This relative movement may cause the splaying of the arms, for example by causing a change of the orientation of arm actuators which extend between the arms and the base frame. This may occur by moving the arm actuators from a configuration in which they are aligned with the base frame to a configuration in which they extend away from the base frame and push the arms to be splayed away from the base frame. This may occur by the moveable part also moving relative to the arms, to cause the arms to splay. The point at which the arm actuators are mounted on the moveable part of the base frame may move relative to the point at which the arm actuators are mounted on the arms as the moveable part of the base frame moved. This relative movement may cause the change in orientation of the arm actuators and push the arms outwards laterally in opposite directions from the base frame to splay them. The same actuator may cause movement of the fixed and moveable parts of the base frame (and thus move the arms between the transit and deployed positions) and also cause the support frame to move between the receiving position and the loading position.

The or each load bearing member may be mounted on a lifting means which, in embodiments, comprises one or more respective extendable leg ram. The or each load bearing member may be moved towards and away from their respective arm by the respective lifting means, which may be in the form of a leg ram. The or each lifting means may extend from the respective load bearing member from a region opposed to an in use ground engaging portion of the respective load bearing member. The leg ram(s) may extend substantially vertically. In this way, the base frame may be supported directly or indirectly on the trailer when in transit, but the arms may be deployed and the lifting means extended until the load bearing members come into contact with the ground. The lifting means may be extended further to lift the base frame off the trailer so it is no longer supported by the trailer. The trailer can then be removed from under the apparatus, and the base frame may then be lowered to the ground by the lifting means, or may stay in position. The lifting means also provide an infinitely variable vertical adjustment for the height of the support frame, so that a container to be upended by the apparatus can be offered up to the apparatus at a variety of different heights and still be coupled to and moved by the apparatus.

The support frame may be articulated. The support frame may be pivotably articulated to at least partially fold down when in transit in order to reduce its height - i.e. the maximum distance of the support frame from the base of the base frame. The support frame may be articulated at at least one point other than the mounting. A single support frame actuator may be provided. The support frame actuator may be coupled between the base frame and the support frame between the mounting and the articulation points. In this way, the actuator drives the support frame in a region directly mounted on the mounting and does not place additional forces on the articulation point. It also means that the actuator does not need to change configuration or position when the distal part of the support frame (i.e. the folding part) is in the folded down configuration for transporting the apparatus.

The support frame may have a portion which extends substantially perpendicularly away from the receiving plate. The support frame may comprise first and second parts. The first and second parts being articulated relative to one another at the articulation point. The first part may comprise a receiving plate which is substantially flat and may also comprise a second section of the first part, which may be elongate, extending away substantially perpendicular thereto. The second part may be elongate and may be of substantially the same cross section as the frame of the first part, and/or may articulate from a position in which it extends in the same direction as the frame to provide, together with the receiving plate, a substantially "L" shaped support frame from the side of the apparatus, to a position in which the second part is pivoted in a direction away from the receiving plate, so that the distal end of the second part is pivoted closer to a plane in which the receiving plate extends.

The support frame may pivot at the mounting. The receiving position and loading position may be approximately perpendicular, with the articulated second part being fixed in relative orientation to the first part for receiving and loading, but rotatable to a transit position. In the receiving position the receiving plate may be substantially vertical, with the frame being substantially vertical, while in the loading position that plate may be horizontal with the frame being substantially vertical, the end of the frame distal the receiving plate being higher than the receiving plate. The articulation point and mounting may each or both allow pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis, and the two axes may be parallel.

In the receiving position, a shipping container may be offered up to the apparatus. The non- opening end of the shipping container (i.e. the end that is not to be used for filling the container) is placed adjacent or abutting a part of the support frame (the receiving plate), between the mounting and the articulation point. The receiving plate imay be substantially vertical in this position. The articulation point may alternatively be positioned to be part way up the end of the shipping container. The support frame part that extends away from the receiving plate may abut the top of a container where the end abuts the receiving plate. In an embodiment it runs parallel without abutting the container. Clamps on the support frame are inserted into and/or otherwise engage with the end of the container to hold it in position at the non-opening end. The receiving plate may have securing devices, which may be for example fingers or protrusions or clamps or other securing means. The distal end of the support frame (ie the far end of the second part where the support plate is in two parts) may have claw clamps which extend laterally of the elongate length of the second part of the support frame. The claw clamps may move inward laterally towards one another to engage the sides of a shipping container abutting the receiving plate proximate to the opening end thereof. Instead of or as well as claw clamps, flexible mounts may be used that are connected to the shipping container to mount it to the support frame. The entire support frame may then be rotated by 90 degrees about the mounting to a loading configuration in which the receiving plate configured to abut the container is substantially horizontal and facing upwards, and, in embodiments, the frame and second part of the support frame extend substantially vertically and abut the top of the container, until the shipping container is oriented vertically with the opening end open at the top of the container. The support frame may be moved from the receiving position to the loading position by lengthening or shortening of an actuator. The actuator may be mounted between the base and the support frame. The actuator may be mounted in a position distal to the pivot point between the two.

The apparatus may be mounted on a transport platform for transit. The transport platform may be a trailer as described above, adapted to be pulled by a lorry cab.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of deploying a portable container loading apparatus according to the first aspect, mounted on a transport platform, the method comprising moving the arm(s) from the respective transit position(s) to the deployed position(s), extending the lifting means from the arms until the feet contact the ground on which the transport platform is placed, further extending the lifting means until the base frame is lifted off the transport platform, and removing the transport platform from under the apparatus.

The second aspect may comprise lowering the base frame by retracting the lifting means until the apparatus is in an operating position. The support member may be moved from a transit configuration to an operating configuration. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating an apparatus according to the first aspect, the method comprising securing a shipping container on the support frame with the securing devices, and moving the support frame from the receiving position to the loading position.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

The following embodiments of the invention are provided purely by way of example of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 a to 1 c show an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in an operating configuration having received a container;

Figures 2a and 2b show the apparatus according to the first embodiment in a transit configuration;

Figures 3a to 3c show the apparatus moving from the transit configuration to the operating configuration; and

Figures 4a to 4c show the operation of the apparatus.

Figures 1 a to 1 c show a portable container loading apparatus 100 for loading a shipping container 200. The apparatus 100 comprises a base frame 110, a support frame 120 for supporting a container, a mounting 130 for mounting the support frame 120 to the base frame 110, one or more securing devices 140 for securing the container 200 to the support frame 120, a support frame actuator 150 which is operable to move the support frame 120 between a receiving position and a loading position, and at least one load bearing member 160 for supporting the apparatus 100 when in an operating configuration.

As shown in Figure 1a, which shows the apparatus 100 in an operating configuration, the base frame 1 10 is pivotably attached to the support frame 120 at the mounting 130. One end of the support frame actuator 150 is attached to the support frame 120, and the other is attached to the base frame 1 10. The support frame actuator 150 is a single hydraulic ram in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, two arms 170 are provided. Each arm has two load bearing members in the form of feet 160 attached thereto. The arms 170 are pivotably mounted on the base frame 1 10 so that they can be splayed outwards laterally of an elongate direction of the base frame 1 10 when deployed. One of the feet 160 on each arm is mounted at a first end opposite to a pivot point 172 at a second end. The other foot 160 is mounted part way along the arm 170. The pair of arms 170 are symmetrically mounted, one on each side of the base frame 1 10, and are attached at the pivot points 172 at one end thereof and also by a pair of first arm actuators 174 and a pair of second arm actuators 176. The first and second actuators 174, 176 are pivotably mounted to the base frame 1 10 and one first arm actuator 174 and one second arm actuator 176 are mounted to each arm 170.

The support frame 120 is split into two parts 120A, 120B, which are pivotably articulated. The first part 120A extends from the mounting 130 to an articulation point 122. The second part 120B extends away from the articulation point 122. The first part 120A has a first section that extends away from the mounting 130 and then has a second section that is arranged at a 90 degree angle to the first section. One end of the support frame actuator 150 is attached to the second section of the first part 120A, and a slot is formed in the first section to allow the actuator 150 to pass through the slot when the apparatus 100 is in an operating configuration and receiving position as shown in Figure 1.

The first section of the first part 120A also includes a receiving plate 124. The receiving plate 124 is mounted parallel to the extending direction of the first section of the first part 120A of the support frame 120. The receiving plate 124 is sized to receive an end of a container 200 and has securing devices 140. Two of the securing devices are in the form of fingers in its lower corners which engage in recesses in the container 200 and lateral retainers along its sides to secure the end of the container 200.

Further securing devices 140 are provided for securing the container 200 to the support frame 120. In the present embodiment, the securing devices 140 comprise both flexible chains and fingers for engaging with recesses in the container 200. The chains hang from the second section of the first part 120A of the support frame 120, and also from the second part 120B of the support frame 120. These chains are attached to the base of a container 200 in a known fashion. Further, in other embodiments, the support devices 140 may include a pair of claw clamps at the end of the second part 120B of the support frame distal to the first part 120A. These clamp the container 200 as they are brought toward one another on either side of the top of the container at the opposite end to the receiving plate 124. Thus, with the securing devices 140 in place and engaging and attached to the container 200, the container 200 is securely held by the support frame 120. Alternatively, the claw clamps may be omitted.

Figures 2a and 2b show the portable container loading apparatus 100 of Figure 1 in a transit configuration. The apparatus 100 is loaded on a trailer 300. The trailer 300 has wheels and is pulled behind a lorry cab. The trailer 300 is a standard flat bed container transit trailer for use with an articulated lorry cab. The apparatus 100 sits, in the transit configuration, completely within the footprint of the trailer 300, i.e. with the apparatus fitting on the upper surface of the trailer without overhanging, and within the height limits of an articulated lorry. The apparatus 100 can thus be transported on a standard trailer without requiring special approval to be moved on public roads.

In the transit configuration, the two arms 170 are pulled tight to the base frame 1 10 and both pairs of feet 160 are resting on or just above the upper surface of the trailer 300. The first section of the first part 120A of the support frame 120 extends substantially horizontally from the mounting 130. The receiving plate 124 lies substantially horizontally. The second section of the first part 120A extends substantially vertically. The second part 120B of the support frame 120 is hinged about the articulation point 122 so that it lies substantially horizontally, extending towards the pivot points 172. The end of the elongate second part 120B distal to the first part 120A is closer to a plane of the receiving plate 124 when in this configuration than when in the operating configuration. In this way the support frame 120 is collapsed so that its vertical extent is reduced and it lies partially horizontally above the trailer 300.

In this configuration, the first actuators 174 lie substantially parallel to the arms 170. This pulls the arms 170 next to the base frame 110 and minimises the lateral distance between the free ends of the arms 170.

The base frame 1 10 comprises two parts. A fixed part 11 OA provides a mounting point for the support arm actuator 150. A moveable part 1 10B is moveable relative to the fixed part 1 10A along a substantially horizontal axis. The first and second arm actuators 174, 176 are mounted on the moveable part 110B. The moveable part 1 10B comprises a pair of supports 1 12 which in the present embodiment are substantially planar, parallel to one another, and extend vertically and lengthways along the base frame 1 10. The two supports 1 12 are connected at each end by first and second upright plates 1 14, 116. As most clearly shown in Figure 2b, the first plate is placed furthest from the fixed part of the base frame, and the second plate is placed closest away. As shown most clearly in Figures 2b and 4c, a guiding rod 1 17 is mounted in a housing 117a between the fixed part 11 OA of the base frame 110 and the second plate 1 16. This acts to guide the movement of the movable part 110B and to limit the movement thereof towards and away from the fixed part 110A. The guiding rod 117 is locked in position when the moveable part 110B is moved to splay the arms 170. In this way, the arms 170 are locked in the splayed position.

As shown in Figure 1c, a main roller 1 18 is mounted adjacent the first plate 1 14, with its rotational axis extending perpendicular to and between the two supports 1 12. The main roller 118 allows the moveable part 1 10B to move on the top of the trailer relative to the fixed part 1 1 OA, which rests on the trailer. Support frame rollers 128 are mounted on the first section of the first part 120A of the support frame 120 and, when the support frame 120 is folded, the support frame rollers 128 sit between the supports and on the top of the trailer to support the weight of the support frame 120 as the moveable part 1 10B of the base frame 1 10 is moved relative to the fixed part 1 110A. The moveable part 110B of the base frame 10 and the support frame 120 are thus pushed together away from the fixed part 11 OA of the base frame 110.

Figure 2b shows the underside of the apparatus 100 in the transit configuration. The guiding rod 1 17 is extended from the guiding rod housing 1 17a and the moveable part 110B of the base frame 1 10 is pushed away from the fixed part 11 OA. The arms 170 are therefore retracted against the sides of the base frame, with the first arm actuators 174 substantially parallel with the arms 170 having pushed the arms 170 apart. The second arm actuators 176 are angled to the arms, but are not extending perpendicular to the arms 170. The support frame rollers 128 and the main roller 118 are supporting the retaining plate. The support frame rests on the top of the supports 112. The fixed part 11 OA of the base frame 1 10, the rollers 1 18, 128, and the feet 160 all rest on the trailer, thus spreading the load on the top of the trailer.

Figure 3a shows the apparatus 100 in a partially deployed position. The moveable part 1 10B of the base frame 1 10 has been moved longitudinally relative to the arms 170 and to the first part of the base frame 11 OA, away from the free ends of the arms 170. This acts upon the first and second actuators 174, 176 as the ends attached to the base frame 110 are moved relative to the ends attached to the arms 170. This causes the arms 170 to be pushed laterally outwardly, or splayed.

The moveable part 110B of the base frame 1 10 is moved relative to the arms 170 using the support frame actuator 150. The support frame actuator 150 is shortened, pulling the support frame 120 (while in its folded, transit configuration) towards the end of the base frame 1 10 where the arms are attached by the pivots 172. Because the first part 120A is already folded down, with the receiving plate 124 horizontal, pulling it cannot cause further pivot movement. Instead, the base frame 1 10 moves relative to the arms 170 and the arm actuators 174, 176 pivot, pushing the arms 170 outwardly about the pivots 172 to splay the arms 170.

In this way, the first arm actuators 174, 176 move from a position where they are parallel to the supports and the arms 170 are pulled in to adjacent the base frame 1 10 when the first and second parts of the base frame 110 are pushed apart, to a position in which they extend away from the supports and act to splay the arms 170 when the moveable part 110B of the base frame 110 is pulled towards the fixed part 1 1 OA of the base frame 110. The moveable part is then locked in place to keep the arms 170 splayed. Once the arms 170 are splayed and the base frame parts 1 1 OA, 1 1 OB locked, the support frame actuator 150 can extend to push the support frame 120 to pivot about the mounting 130.

Once the arms 170 have been splayed, the feet 160 no longer rest above the base surface of the trailer 300. Each foot 160 is mounted on lifting means, which in the present embodiment is a respective leg ramleg ram 162. The leg rams 162 can move hydraulically vertically to move the feet 160 upwards and downwards. With the feet 160 splayed to move them out from over the trailer base, the leg rams 162 can be extended until the feet 160 engage with the ground on which the trailer 300 is placed. Once the feet 160 are placed on the ground, the leg rams 162 extend yet further so that the apparatus as a whole 100 is lifted off the bed of the trailer and is supported on the feet 160. At this point, the trailer 300 can be removed.

As the feet 160 furthest from the arm pivot point 172 are splayed outwards, the trailer 300 can be removed by driving it between the leg rams 162 and feet 160. Once the trailer 300 is removed, the extension of the leg rams 162 can be shortened in order to lower the apparatus 100 to the ground, or to a desired level. As the height at which a shipping container 200 is presented can vary, for example depending upon where in the world the container is, and what trailer it is mounted on, being able to change the height of the apparatus 100 means that containers 200 can be received from carriers/trailers of varying heights, aiding the flexibility of the apparatus 100.

To move the apparatus 100 back to the transit configuration from the operating configuration, the leg rams 162 are extended to lift the apparatus 100 up until a trailer 300 can be positioned under the base frame 1 10. The base frame 1 10 is then lowered down until the apparatus 100 is resting on the trailer 300 top. The leg rams 162 are then retracted, lifting the feet 160 until they are above the level of the trailer 300 top. The support frame 120 is then pivoted about the mounting 130 to bring the receiving plate 124 from vertical to horizontal and the second part of the support frame 120B is pivoted about the articulation point 122 until the second part 120B lies substantially horizontally. The support frame 120 is then locked in place with locking pins or the like (not shown) which hold the orientation. The support frame actuator 150 is then extended, which, because the support frame 120 cannot rotate about the mounting 130, causes the moveable part 110B of the base frame 1 10 to move relative to the arms 170. The arm actuators 174, 176 pivot and fold from being substantially perpendicular to the arms 170 to being, in the case of the first arm actuators 174, substantially parallel thereto, which pulls the arms 170 in from their splayed position. Once the arms 170 are folded in and locked in position, again by locking pins or the like (not shown), and the feet 160 are lowered on to the trailer, the apparatus 100 is ready to be transported, with the fixed part 1 10A of the base frame 1 10, the main roller 1 18, and support frame rollers 128, and the feet 160 on the arms 170 all in contact with the trailer top to spread the weight of the apparatus 100. If necessary, a metal plate (not shown) may be placed on the trailer top to further spread the load of the apparatus 100.

The ram legs 162 comprise pressure sensors which are used to measure the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the leg rams 162. In this way, the weight of the whole apparatus 100 can be calculated. If this is tared or noted when the container 200 is held by the apparatus 100 in position, but empty, then the weight of the material loaded into the container 200 can be determined.

Referring now particularly to Figures 3b and 3c, the apparatus 100 is shown in an operating configuration. In particular, the apparatus 100 is shown in a receiving configuration, as discussed in relation to Figure 1 , waiting to receive a container. The second part 120B of the support frame 120 has been pivoted about the articulation point 122 until it is parallel to the second section of the first part 120A. A hydraulic ram (not shown) extends between the first and second parts 120A 120B of the support frame 120 about the articulation point 122, and extending this hydraulic ram pivots the second part 120B into the operating configuration. A pivoted retaining arm 123 extends between the first and second parts of the support frame 120 to limit the articulation about the articulation point 122, while allowing the second part 120B to pivot and be placed in the transit configuration by shortening the hydraulic ram. The first part 120A has been rotated about the mounting 130 by 90 degrees until it is vertical, and the receiving plate 124 is also vertical. The support frame actuator 150 is fully extended. Extending the support frame actuator 150 pushes the support frame 120 to rotate it about the mounting 130 and move it to the described position. Figure 3c clearly shwos the securing devices 140 in the form of chains hanging from the support frame 120.

Referring to Figures 4a to 4c, the apparatus 100 is now shown in a loading configuration. The container 200 is secured to the support frame 120 by the securing devices 140 as described above. The container 200 is now vertical, and rests on the receiving plate 124, with the doors open at the top of the container 200 ready for filling.

In order to move the container from horizontal to vertical, i.e. from a shipping and transport orientation to a loading orientation in which the end of the container 200 including the doors is positioned uppermost, the support frame actuator 150 is shortened, pulling the support frame towards the fixed end of the support frame actuator 150. As the support frame 120 is pivotably attached to the base frame 1 10 by the mounting 130, the shortening of the actuator 150 causes the support frame 120 to rotate about the mounting 130, pulling the receiving plate 124 from vertical to horizontal and the second part 120B of the support frame 120 as well as the second section of the first part 120A of the support frame 120 to be vertical and together to support the container 200 in the vertical position. In order to move the apparatus 100 from the loading configuration to the receiving configuration this process is reversed. Stairs are provided so that the doors of the container 200 can be closed before it is moved to the receiving configuration for the container 200 to be removed by being loaded onto a trailer and the securing means 140 detached. Figure 4c shows the underside of the apparatus 100 when in the loading configuration. The guiding rod 1 17 is retracted into the guiding rod housing 117a and the moveable part 1 10B of the base frame 1 10 is pulled towards the fixed part 1 10A. The arms 170 are therefore splayed, with the arm actuators 174 having pushed the arms 170 apart. Alternatively the guidling rod may be omitted and the actuator 150 may cause the splaying of the arms 170 before causing rotation of the support frame 120 during movement from the transit configuration. The support frame rollers 128 and the main roller 1 18 are supporting the retaining plate, and therefore the container 200. The support frame rests on the top of the supports 1 12.

The present invention has been described purely by way of example and various additions, modifications and omissions can be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises" and the like are intended to be construed, unless the contect clearly requires otherwise, in an inclusive sense, that is "including, but not limited to".

Listing of features

portable container loading apparatus 100

shipping container 200

base frame 110 (fixed part 1 1 OA, moveable part 1 10B), supports 112, first and second upright plates 1 14, 116, guiding rod 117, guiding rod housing 1 17a, main roller 118, support frame 120 (first part 120A, second part 120B, articulation point 122), support frame rollers 128

pivoted retaining arm 123, receiving plate 124

mounting 130

securing devices 140 (chains and fingers)

support frame actuator 150

load bearing member (feet) 160

lifting means/leg ram 162

arms 170

pivot points 172 first actuators 174 second actuators 176 trailer 300