Container conveyor load transfer

Abstract

A wheel supported conveyor having a central platform crane section disposed between opposite end crane sections is positioned in underlying relation to a container holding spreader of a dockside terminal crane for transfer of containers to and from the chassis of trucks moved into loading positions without obstruction along parallel spaced passage lanes formed in the end crane sections. Sections of a roller track are respectively associated with each of the conveyor crane sections for displacement of the containers laterally between a common track path and the truck passage lanes. Container spreaders are slidably mounted on the end crane sections effecting said lateral displacement of containers between the truck passage lanes and the common roller track path.

1. Apparatus for transfer of containers between a land-based vehicle and a dockside location, comprising: a wheeled conveyor moved to a position at said dockside location; roller track means mounted on the wheeled conveyor for establishing thereon a central passage lane along which movement of the containers is effected between a pair of end passage lanes in spaced relation to the central passage lane; and container spreader means mounted on the wheeled conveyor for lateral guided displacement of the container between said central passage lane established by the roller track means and the end passage lane along which the land-based vehicle may travel without obstruction into the wheeled conveyor. 
   
   
     2. A method for transfer of containers between a land-based vehicle and a dockside location, comprising the steps of: positioning a common track passage lane of predetermined length along which the containers are moved; establishing two parallel spaced passage lanes on opposite sides of the positioned common track passage lane along which the land-based vehicle may approach and depart without obstruction; laterally transferring the containers between the land-based vehicle and the positioned common track passage lane at longitudinally spaced locations thereon; and transferring the containers to and from the positioned common track passage lane in a vertical direction at said dockside location between said longitudinally spaced locations. 
   
   
     3. The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said land-based vehicle is a truck having a chassis on which the containers are carried; and said transferring of the containers in the vertical direction being effected by means of a marine terminal crane at the dockside location.