Freight Handling Apparatus

Abstract

A freight handling apparatus includes at least one of a container or a platform. The container has a front to receive freight and a first retaining feature disposed at the front. The platform has a side that may be laterally opposed to the front of the container and a second retaining feature disposed at the side. The platform retaining feature may cooperate with the container retaining feature to releasably retain the platform to the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 633,929, filed Dec. 7, 2004, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 295,795, filed Dec. 7, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to freight systems for freight carriers and, more particularly, to a freight handling apparatus to be transported in a freight carrier.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A system which is presently commonly used to handle and transport cases of beverage containers, for example, from a manufacturing and / or distributing center to a retailer, such as a grocery store, convenience store, etc., is inherently a laborious, time-consuming operation requiring numerous delivery vehicles and operators, each covering a rather limited region. The traditional system involves stacking large ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]This second exemplary implementation may also include one or more of the following additional aspects. Another latch member may be operably associated with the body and adapted for operable engagement with a second container adjacent the first container and in the same row as the first container to releasably lock the portable floor surface to the second container. At least one roller may be operably attached to the rear end and may engage the common floor surface when the false floor is inclined relative to the common floor surface to facilitate transporting the portable floor surface. The roller may be spaced from the common floor surface when the lower surface is resting flat on the common floor surface. A hand grip may be disposed adjacent the front end to facilitate lifting and transporting the portable false floor on the roller.

Problems solved by technology

A system which is presently commonly used to handle and transport cases of beverage containers, for example, from a manufacturing and / or distributing center to a retailer, such as a grocery store, convenience store, etc., is inherently a laborious, time-consuming operation requiring numerous delivery vehicles and operators, each covering a rather limited region.

It takes considerable time and physical effort to fill an order in this manner, inasmuch as it requires the operator to select the appropriate brand and quantity of containers called for by the order, and then to physically remove the various containers from the bays, restack them onto the hand truck or dolly, and transport the containers from the delivery truck into the retail facility.

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