Roller-rail cargo handling system with trolley for moving pallets

Abstract

A roller-and-rail cargo handling system includes track rollers and side rails for receiving cargo pallets. The trolley system is used to move the pallet along the track rollers and includes a trolley movable along the trolley track by one or more cables. The trolley includes (1) a body sized and configured to slide beneath the pallet positioned on the track rollers, and (2) a pawl mounted within a cavity in the body and rotated between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the pawl extends above the top surface of the body to engage a notch in the pallet and apply a moving force to the pallet. In the closed position, the pawl is fully recessed within the cavity, allowing the trolley to slide beneath the pallet without engaging the pallet.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cargo handling using roller-rail cargo handling systems, including dual-rail cargo handling systems used on aircraft and ships. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, cargo roller systems are not powered and require human intervention to manually push the cargo pallets. In some cases, winches are used to pull the cargo, but these winches must be manually connected to each pallet that needs to be pulled, posing a risk of injury.

[0003] There are other methods of unloading cargo, such as drag parachutes in airdrop operations or powered rollers in ground cargo handling operations. The disclosed roller-rail cargo handling system uses a position-actuated trolley with a pivoting pallet-engaging block that can extend to engage a pallet and retract or collapse to allow the trolley to move under the pallet. The trolley shuttles along the rail system by a wire cable or rope connected to a winch. The position-actuated trolley allows for the unloading of cargo pallets in a command-controlled manner. The position-actuated trolley also allows for the continuous loading of cargo while reducing the risk of injury to personnel, as opposed to conventional systems where personnel manually push pallets. The position-actuated trolley system has the advantage of having a low profile and can be installed on a flat surface without significant modifications to existing vehicle frameworks.

[0004] The position actuated trolley runs on tracks that are either bearings or sliding blocks of low-friction material (e.g., PTFE). The tracks are mounted below the cargo pallet to allow the position actuated trolley to smoothly interact with the pallet. The position actuated trolley has a claw feature that runs under the pallet and allows an operator to lower the pallet at will. In certain embodiments, the position actuated trolley utilizes a spring to extend the claw, which pushes the cargo pallet in one direction (e.g., backward for unloading), and folds under the cargo pallet to move in the opposite direction (e.g., forward). In other embodiments, the position actuated trolley is electrically operated, allowing the claw to fold and extend on command.

[0005] In one application, the position-actuated trolley is used to unload cargo pallets from landing craft on a ship-to-shore connector (SSC), which is used to transport cargo to land locations (e.g., tactical locations) that may lack cargo handling infrastructure. Traditionally, unloading from an SSC required the use of an all-terrain forklift. The trolley is part of a multi-track cargo handling system (see, e.g., US20220055847A1), which allows for rapid unloading of cargo pallets from such landing craft, resulting in increased operational flexibility and capacity. Other waterborne applications include landing craft air cushions (LCACs) and other landing craft. The trolley can also be used for a variety of other cargo handling applications, including, for example, aircraft cargo and wharf cargo. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a trolley for moving a pallet in a roller-rail cargo handling system is disclosed. The trolley includes a body sized and configured to slide under a pallet on a set of track rollers of the roller-rail cargo handling system. A pawl is disposed in a cavity in the body and rotatably mounted between a closed position and an open position, such that in the open position, the pawl extends above an upper surface of the body to engage a notch in the pallet and exert a moving force on the pallet, and in the closed position, the pawl is sufficiently recessed within the cavity to allow the trolley to slide under the pallet without engaging the pallet.

[0007] In another aspect, a roller-and-rail cargo handling system is disclosed that includes a set of track rollers and side rails configured to accept a cargo pallet. The system also includes a trolley system that moves the cargo pallet along the track rollers. The trolley system includes a trolley movable along a trolley track by one or more cables. The trolley includes: (1) a body sized and configured to slide under the cargo pallet along the set of track rollers; and (2) a pawl disposed within a cavity in the body. The pawl is mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the pawl extends above a top surface of the body to engage a notch in the cargo pallet and exert a moving force on the pallet. In the closed position, the pawl is fully recessed within the cavity, allowing the trolley to slide under the pallet without engaging the pallet. Applications include rapid offloading of cargo pallets on landing craft such as airborne vehicles, and cargo handling operations on aircraft and at wharves. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller-rail cargo handling system having a trolley for moving pallets. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the trolley in an extended configuration engaging the edge of a pallet. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the trolley in a stored configuration, sliding under the pallet. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trolley in an extended configuration. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the trolley in the extended configuration of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trolley in a stored configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the trolley in the storage configuration of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a roller-rail cargo handling system in which a pallet 10 slides on rollers 12 tracked between a pair of support rails 14. In a typical application, the pallet 10 is a cargo loading platform, as is commonly known in the art, and the system is part of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft or SSC as described above) or a fixed facility (e.g., a wharf). The system includes a trolley subsystem for automated movement of the pallet 10 on the rollers 12. The trolley subsystem includes a device called a "trolley" 16, which moves along a central track 17 by means of wire ropes or cables 18 at one or both ends. In some applications, the trolley subsystem is positioned to allow the pallet 10 to be rapidly unloaded from the rear of a vehicle.

[0011] Figure 2 shows details of trolley 16 and how it engages with pallet 10. Pallet 10 has end regions 20 with notches 22 conventionally configured to engage with pallet locks to lock the pallet in place. Trolley 16 includes members 24, also referred to herein as "pawls," that fit into notches 22 and provide a pushing force toward the upper right in this illustration. The remainder of trolley 16 fits within tracks 17 that run the length of the system parallel to the tracks for rollers 12 (Figure 1).

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the trolley 16 in an extended configuration with the claws 24 extending upwardly to engage the pallet 10 as shown. FIG. 3 is a similar view, but shows the trolley 16 in a stored configuration with the pawl 24 rotated downward and secured by a sliding catch, as described further below. The pawl 24 occupies a hollow portion of the trolley 16 and does not contact the pallet 10, allowing the trolley 16 to move underneath the pallet 10 as part of its operation. In another embodiment, the pawl 24 is not secured by a catch. In this case, a portion of the pawl 24 contacts the pallet 10, and the movement of the trolley 16 passing under the pallet 10 in a forward direction causes the pawl 24 to rotate downward. In this mode of operation, the trolley 16 can move forward unimpeded, while maintaining the ability to move the pallet 10 in a rearward direction.

[0013] Figures 4 and 5 show details of the trolley 16 in its extended configuration. The trolley 16 includes a rigid body 30 made of a strong material (e.g., an alloy). At each end, the trolley 16 includes cross members 32 in respective notches for receiving end loops of the cable 18 used to pull the trolley 16 along its track. At each corner, a slide block 34 is provided, preferably made of a low-friction material such as PTFE. The pawls 24 have a body made of a strong material and separate, replaceable wear strips 36 and are mounted for rotation at one end (toward the left in these figures). A replaceable bearing surface 42 is made of the same material as the pawls 24 and prevents the pawls 24 from damaging the trolley's rigid body 30. The trolley 16 also includes a torsion spring 38 that biases the pawls 24 toward the open or extended position, and a sliding catch 40 that is used to retain the pawls 24 in the closed or retracted position, as will be described more specifically below. Alternatively, as mentioned above, no catches may be used, in which case the wear strips 36 contact the underside of the pallet and movement of the trolley 16 beneath the pallet causes the pawls 24 to rotate downwards.

[0014] 6 and 7 show the trolley 16 in a stored configuration, held by the catch 40 against the force of the torsion spring 38. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 8-8 and 9-9, respectively, of FIG. 7, showing details of the torsion spring 36 and the sliding catch 40. As shown in FIG.

[0015] FIG. 10 shows that the downwardly facing surface of slide block 34 is preferably formed with grooves or channels 50 to provide smoother sliding action even when dirt or other foreign matter is present in track 17.

[0016] (How it works) In one method of operation, a forklift or other cargo loading device is used to load a pallet 10 onto the forward end of the track-mounted rollers 12. The pallet 10 is then pushed backward until the claw 24 of the trolley 16 is positioned at the forward end of the pallet 10. During the backward movement of the pallet 10, the claw 24 may be tilted downwards under the pallet 10 by compressing the torsion spring 38 or manually engaging the sliding catch 40. Once the claw 24 is slightly past the forward end of the pallet 10, the wire rope 18 can be used to move the trolley 16 backwards. This engages the claw 24 with the notch 22, pushing the pallet 10 backward. If the claw 24 is positioned between multiple pallets 10 and needs to be moved to another location, the user can pull the trolley 16 forward to tilt the claw 24 downwards under the pallet. If the claw 24 needs to be moved backwards but the pallet 10 is not to be moved, the claw must be manually tilted and the sliding catch 40 engaged. Once the pawls 24 are properly positioned, the sliding catches 40 are manually disengaged, allowing the front loaded pallet 10 to move rearward on the tracked rollers 12 until it reaches the rear end of the tracked rollers 12.

[0017] As mentioned above, the trolley system can also be used to rapidly unload pallets previously loaded onto a roller-rail cargo handling system. The trolley 16 is positioned slightly forward of the pallet to be unloaded, then moves rearward with the claws 24 in the open position, engaging the pallet and applying a rearward force, causing the pallet to slide rearward. Any locks on the pallet are disengaged, and the pallet then slides rearward and is ejected onto a vehicle ramp or other transition mechanism onto water, air, or land. In some embodiments, multiple pallets can be unloaded at once, with the trolley applying a unloading force to the front pallet and transmitting the rearward force to the row of pallets being unloaded.

[0018] In another embodiment, the trolley 16 may employ a servo-driven claw 24 that uses a small servo motor for this purpose. In this arrangement, the claw 24 can push the pallet 10 forward or backward and can collapse under the pallet 10 without manual intervention of the claw 24.

[0019] 2-7 utilize a mechanical spring force to rotate the pawls between the closed and open positions, in other embodiments alternative drive mechanisms may be used, for example, the trolley may use a small electrically driven servo motor for this purpose.

[0020] While various embodiments of the present invention have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A trolley for moving pallets in a roller-rail cargo handling system, comprising: a body sized and configured to slide beneath a pallet on a set of track rollers of said roller-rail cargo handling system; a pawl disposed within the cavity of the body; A trolley, wherein the claws are mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position, and when the claws are in the open position, they extend upward from the upper surface of the body to engage with a notch in the pallet and exert a moving force thereon, and when the claws are in the closed position, they are fully received within the cavity to allow the trolley to slide beneath the pallet without engaging the pallet.

2. The trolley of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises one or more cross members configured to receive respective loops of cables used to effect sliding movement of the trolley during operation.

3. 3. The trolley of claim 2, wherein the cross members are disposed in respective notches on opposite ends of the trolley.

4. 2. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a slide block made of a material with a low coefficient of friction affixed to the body and positioned to contact the track of the roller-rail cargo handling system along which the trolley slides during operation.

5. 10. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a bearing along which the trolley runs within a track of the roller-rail cargo handling system.

6. 2. The trolley of claim 1, wherein the pawls include replaceable wear strips configured to contact a protective support surface of the body when in the open position, the wear strips being positioned away from the contact points between the notches in the pallet and the pawls.

7. a torsion spring configured to bias the pawl toward the open position; 2. The trolley of claim 1, wherein the pawls are held in the closed position by another mechanism that opposes the torsion spring.

8. The trolley of claim 7 , wherein the other mechanism comprises a sliding catch secured to the body of the trolley.

9. 8. The trolley of claim 7, wherein the other mechanism is contact between the pawl and the underside of the pallet, and movement of the trolley below the pallet causes the pawl to rotate downward.

10. 2. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a servo motor configured and operative to provide servo drive to said pawl between said open and closed positions.

11. a set of track rollers and side rails configured to receive a cargo pallet; a trolley system for moving the cargo pallet along the track rollers; the trolley system comprising a trolley movable along a trolley track by one or more cables; The trolley, (1) a body sized and configured to slide under the cargo pallet on a set of the track rollers; (2) a pawl disposed within the cavity of the body; A roller-rail cargo handling system, wherein the claws are mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position, and when the claws are in the open position, they extend above the upper surface of the body to engage with notches in the cargo pallet and exert a moving force on the pallet, and when the claws are in the closed position, they are fully received within the cavity to allow the trolley to slide beneath the pallet.

12. 12. The roller-rail cargo handling system of claim 11, further comprising a track on which the trolley is positioned and along which it slides during operation.

13. 13. The roller-and-rail cargo handling system of claim 12, wherein a track is disposed centrally within each subset of the set of track rollers and side rails.

14. 12. The roller-rail cargo handling system of claim 11, further comprising one or more cables secured to the body of the trolley to enable sliding movement during operation.

15. 15. The roller-rail cargo handling system of claim 14, wherein the body comprises one or more cross-members configured to receive respective loops of one or more cables.

16. 16. The roller-rail cargo handling system of claim 15, wherein the cross members are positioned in respective notches on opposite ends of the trolley to receive respective cables.

17. 1. A method of moving cargo pallets in a roller-rail cargo handling system, comprising: moving a trolley of the roller-rail cargo handling system to a position in front of the pallet, the trolley having a pawl mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position, the pawl being in the closed position to allow the trolley to move beneath the pallet to a position in front of the pallet, and the trolley being in the forward position to move the pawl upward to engage a notch in the pallet and to apply a moving force to the pallet; thereafter, moving the trolley to first bring the claw into contact with the notch in the pallet, and then pushing the pallet in a rearward direction by a force exerted by the claw of the trolley.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, performed as part of a loading operation of the pallet onto the roller rail system, comprising:

16. A method of enabling trolley movement as claimed in claim 15, wherein said operation includes the preceding step of initially positioning said pallet at a front end of said roller rail system.

19. 18. The method of claim 17, performed as part of an operation to unload the pallet from the roller rail system, the operation including the step of unlocking the pallet from the roller rail system to allow the pallet to be unloaded in response to the force exerted by the claw of the trolley.

20. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the trolley to the forward position and moving the trolley includes pulling the trolley in a forward and rearward direction, respectively, using respective cables connected to respective ends of the trolley.

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