Swap body container transporter assembly

Abstract

A transporter has a transporter vehicle 20 with a lifting support platform 22 with spaced engagement means 24, engageable with an adapter frame 40 connectable to an underside of a swap body container

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a transporter assembly for transporting a swap body container. More particularly, it relates to a transporter assembly and a transporter vehicle having autonomous features for aligning with, engaging and lifting of a swap body container. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Transportation of goods is crucial to the functionality of the world. Goods are transported within borders by local transport such as railway and motorised vehicles, and between borders by freight ships and air transport means. Swap body containers (sometimes known as a swap body, swop body, exchangeable container, or interchangeable unit) are distinguished from freight or shipping containers as swap body containers do not have upper corner fittings, are not stackabie, and must be lifted by the bottom frame. Thus, they require special handling when transported by rail and are unsuitable for ship-based overseas transportation. Swap body containers often have four foldable legs. These legs make it possible to change, or swap, the body from one carriage to another, or to leave the swap body at a destination. The swap body with extended legs can easily be lifted by a motorised vehicle including, for example, a hydraulic lifting mechanism. The motorised vehicle can then transport the swap body to a specific destination. The legs, however eliminate the need for a crane or similar lifting mechanism, prevent the swap bodies from being stackable. They are therefore usually transported by motorised vehicles. Typically, a truck or lorry lowers itself to fit underneath the swap body and lifts itself to pick the swap body up from the ground in order to transport the swap body. In this scenario, the swap body is always picked up and delivered in a set orientation, and they cannot be stacked next to each other. Moving the swap bodies at the destination with trucks or forklifts increases the required transporting, unloading and storing area, as the truck or forklift increases the in-transit area of the swap body. The swap bodies further require careful on-site management when they are moved. A forklift can merely lift the swap body with the weight thereof and the friction created between the forks of the forklift being the only factors preventing the swap body from falling off of the forklift. Furthermore, should a swap body’s weight distribution be uneven it might be unbalanced and top-heavy, and it can easily fall off of the forklift. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a transporter assembly for a swap body container, comprising: a transporter vehicle including a support platform and a lifting mechanism for lifting the support platform relative to the transporter vehicle, wherein the support platform includes a plurality of spaced apart engagement means; and an adapter frame connectable to an underside of the swap body container and including a plurality of complementary engagement means configured for engagement with corresponding engagement means of the support platform when the support platform is raised beneath the swap body container. The transporter vehicle may have footprint dimensions that may fit within footprint dimensions of a swap body container and the transporter vehicle may have omni-directional wheels for manoeuvrability. The adapter frame may be shaped to allow for an automated alignment with the support platform. The adapter frame may be in the form of a grid configured to distribute weight of the swap body container and provide stability during transportation of the swap body container. The adapter frame may have connection means in the form of twist-lock connectors at corners of the grid which may be connectable to receiving apertures provided on the underside of the swap body container. The engagement means of the support platform may be provided at corners of the platform and may correspond to the complementary engagement means disposed at vertically corresponding locations on the adapter frame. The engagement means of the support platform may be in the form of conical male engagement means for alignment with the complementary engagement means in the form of receiving engagement means disposed within the adapter frame. The adapter frame may include electromagnetic signalling features configured to facilitate positioning of the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame for the engagement with the adapter frame. The transporter vehicle may include electromagnetic signalling features configured to facilitate positioning of the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame for the engagement with the adapter frame. The lifting mechanism may be a hydraulic jack mechanism. The transporter vehicle may be a robotic vehicle with an autonomous pickup facility for automated alignment with, engagement, and lifting of a swap body container. The robotic vehicle may include a navigation control for navigating the transporter vehicle transporting a swap body container between pickup locations to a delivery locations. A transporter vehicle for a swap body container, comprising: a support platform and a lifting mechanism for lifting the support platform relative to the transporter vehicle, wherein the support platform includes a plurality of spaced-apart engagement means for engagement with an underside of a swap body container; wherein the transporter vehicle is a robotic vehicle with an autonomous pickup facility for automated alignment, engagement, and lifting of a swap body container. A method of transporting for a swap body container, comprising: positioning a transporter vehicle underneath the swap body container, wherein the transporter vehicle includes a support platform including a plurality of spaced-apart engagement means and a lifting mechanism for lifting the support platform relative to the transporter vehicle; lifting the support platform such that the engagement means of the support platform engage with corresponding complementary engagement means of an adapter frame, attached to an underside of the swap body container, when the support platform is raised beneath the swap body container; and moving the transporter vehicle supporting the swap body container to a different location. The method may be including attaching the adapter frame to the underside of the swap body container by means of connectors and wherein the adapter frame may include a plurality of complementary engagement means. The method may be including autonomously positioning the transporter vehicle and lifting the swap body container. The method may be including navigating the transporter vehicle to the different location. The method wherein positioning a transporter vehicle underneath a swap body container may include the transporter vehicle approaching the swap body container from a side or an end of the swap body container. The method may include measuring and positioning the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame by implementing electromagnetic signalling features. The electromagnetic signalling features may include one or more of the group of: transmitters, transponders, and reflectors. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded diagram of an embodiment of a transporter assembly including an adapter frame and a transporter vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention shown with a swap body container; Figure 2A is a side view of the transporter assembly of Figure 1 with the adapter frame attached to the swap body container awaiting engagement with the transporter vehicle; Figure 2B is a side view of the transporter assembly of Figure 1 with the adapter frame attached to the swap body container and engaged with the transporter vehicle; Figure 2C is a side view of the transporter assembly of Figure 1 with the adapter frame attached to the swap body container and engaged with the transporter vehicle and being lifted by the transporter vehicle; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the transporter assembly of Figure 1 in an engaged and lifted configuration with a swap body container; Figure 4A is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a swap body container having the adapter frame connected thereto; Figure 4B is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an adapter frame with a locking mechanism used for the connection of the adapter frame to a swap body container; Figure 4C is an enlarged perspective view of an example embodiment of the locking mechanism used for the connection of the adapter frame to a swap body container; Figures 4D and 4E are enlarged views of an example embodiment of a connection between the adapter frame and a swap body container; and Figures 5A to 5E are perspective views of the transporter assembly of Figure 1 illustrating a movement of the swap body container; DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS A transporter assembly is described including a transporter vehicle and an adapter frame, for transporting, moving, and manoeuvring a swap body container. A swap body container may be known as a swap body, swop body, exchangeable container, or interchangeable unit. A swap body container is generally the dimensions of a freight or shipping container but must be lifted by the bottom frame of the container. The adapter frame is configured to connect to the underside of the swap body container and adapts the underside for engagement with the transporter vehicle. The transporter vehicle includes a support platform which may be used to support the weight of the swap body container during transit. The support platform and the adapter frame include corresponding engagement means. The transporter vehicle also includes a lifting mechanism which may be configured to lift the support platform for engagement with the adapter frame. The lifting mechanism is further configured to lift the swap body container when the adapter frame is connected to the swap body container and engaged with the support platform in order to move the swap body container. The transporter may be configured to have dimensions such that the footprint thereof is less than the footprint of the swap body container. This allows the peripheral dimensions of the transporter vehicle to fit completely underneath the swap body container such that the transporter vehicle may be hidden in an aerial view of the swap body container during transit. The transporter vehicle having a smaller footprint than that of the swap body container may allow for a transported swap body container to be unloaded or delivered with any side of the swap body container flush with any other surface. The other surface that may be flush against the side of the swap body may be any side of another swap body. Another benefit of having a transporter vehicle with a container smaller footprint than that of the swap body container is that the route of transport can be limited to the dimensions of the swap body container. The transporter vehicle may have omni-directional wheels such that when a drive chain of the transport vehicle is powered, the omni-directional wheels may be driven in any direction. The omni-directional wheels may allow the transporter vehicle to enter underneath the swap body container from any side with any orientation. Another benefit of omni-directional wheels may be that any side of the transporter vehicle may be the front side, the front side being the side in which direction the transporter vehicle is most often driven. This may significantly reduce wasted time which may have been spent on orienting the transportation vehicle in a specific orientation before driving in a specific direction. The adapter frame may have a connection means configured to connect to the underside of the swap body container. The connection means may be in the form of multiple twist-lock connectors which are connectable to corresponding receiving apertures located on the underside of the swap body container. The twist-lock connector may be useful to secure the adapter frame to the swap body container for increased safety and stability. In some embodiments, the adapter frame may be permanently integrated into the underside of the swap body container. The adapter frame may further be dimensioned such that the twist-lock connection means are complementary to predefined connection means located on the underside of the swap body container. For example, the predefined connection means may be provided at the side edges of the swap body container adjacent legs of the swap body container. The support platform of the transporter vehicle has engagement means provided at corners of the platform and corresponding to complementary engagement means disposed at vertically corresponding locations on the adapter frame. The adapter frame may have parallel end members that extend transversely between the connection means with longitudinal members running parallel with a reduced separation such that the engagement means may be provided on the longitudinal members that correspond to positions of engagement means of the support platform, with the support platform having a smaller footprint than the adapter frame. The engagement means may be configured to facilitate aligning the support platform with the adapter frame, so as to ease engagement. The engagement means may be in the form of a conical connector arrangement. The conical connector arrangement may include a conical protrusion and a conical recess, the conical recess configured to receive the conical protrusion. The engagement means, such as the conical connector arrangement, may allow room for alignment error. In one embodiment, the conical protrusions may be provided at the four corners of the support platform as shown in Figure 1, with the conical recesses provided in corresponding locations in the adapter frame. In an alternative embodiment, the conical recesses may be provided in the support platform with conical protrusions extending downwardly from the adapter frame. The engagement means of the support frame may be positioned above the wheels of the support frame to provide the greatest stability and support during movement. A further benefit of a transporter vehicle having such engagement means is that no time is wasted in manually engaging the transporter to the adapter frame. In use, the transporter vehicle is driven such that the engagement means align with corresponding engagement means located on the underside of the adapter frame, the lifting mechanism may be activated to lift the support platform and engage the engagement means, eventually lifting the swap body container off of the ground. The transporter may then be driven in any direction, using the omnidirectional wheels, and deliver the swap body container at a desired location. After the swap body container is delivered, the engagement means is disengaged simply by lowering the support platform. The transporter vehicle is then ready to pick up and transport another swap body container. The transporter vehicle is intended to be driven slowly around container yards and therefore the engagement between the adapter frame and the support platform may be a gravity fit without a secure locking arrangement. This provides for a quick attachment and detachment of the transporter vehicle. In some embodiments, the transporter vehicle may be used without an adapter frame. This may be possible if a swap body container is modified to include an integrated adapter frame for engagement with the support platform of the transport vehicle. In such embodiments, the engagement means of the support platform may include at least one twist lock connector which is connectable to a corresponding receiving aperture located on the underside of the swap body container. Referring to Figures 1, an exploded view of an example embodiment of a transporter assembly (10) for transporting a swap body container (12) is shown having a transporter vehicle (20) and an adapter frame (40). The transporter vehicle (20) in the example embodiment includes a support platform (22) and a lifting mechanism (26) which, in use, is configured to lift the support platform (22). The adapter frame (40) is configured to be connectable to the underside of the swap body container (12). The adapter frame (40) further includes one or more complementary engagement means (42) configured for engagement with corresponding engagement means (24) of the support platform (22) when the support platform (22) is raised beneath the swap body container (12). The engagement means (24) may be provided at each corner of a rectangular support platform (22). The engagement means (24) of the transporter vehicle (20) is configured to be vertically in line with the engagement means (42) of the adapter frame when ready for engagement, as illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C. The distance between engagement means (24) of a first side (22a) of the support platform (22) may be similarly dimensioned to the distance between engagement means (22) of a second side (22b) of the support platform (22). This configuration allows for any one of the engagement means (24) located at the first (22a) or second (22b) side of the support platform to engage with any one of a first side (40a) ora second side (40b) of the adapter frame. Therefore, when the transporter vehicle (20) is driven in a direction, the direction of travel can be in the direction of any one of the first side (22a) or the second side (22b) of the support platform (22). The first side (22a) and the second side (22b) of the support platform is to be understood to be the first side (22a) and the second side (22b) of the transporter vehicle. It should be noted that if the engagement means located at the first (22a) or the second side (22b) of the support platform (22) is able to engage to any one of the engagement means located at the first side (40a) or second side (40b) of the adapter frame (40), then a third side (22c) and a fourth side (22d) of the support platform (22) is also able to engage with any one of the engagement means located at a third side (40c) or a fourth side (40d) of the adapter frame (40). It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the first side and the second side of the support platform are not similarly dimensioned. In such embodiments, the first side of the support platform is not able to engage to the engagement means located at the second side of the adapter frame. Similarly, the second side of the support platform is not able to engage with the first side of the adapter frame. It should be appreciated that, in another embodiment of the invention, all four of the support platform’s sides (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) are similarly dimensioned to allow the engagement means (24) to engage with any one of the adapter frame’s sides’ (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) engagement means. In this embodiment, the support platform may have a substantially square shape with the support platform’s engagement means located near the corners such that the engagement means are equispaced. Therefore, when the transporter vehicle is driven in a direction, the primary direction of travel can have any one of the first side (22a), the second side (22b), the third side (22c), or the fourth side (22d) of the support platform as a front side. The adapter frame (40) is configured to attach to the underside of the swap body container (12), as shown more clearly in Figure 4A, such thatthe weight of the swap body container (12) is evenly distributed across the adapter frame (40). The adapter frame (40) having evenly distributed weight may have a centre of gravity (44), illustrated in Figure 1, located near the centre of the adapter frame (40), such that the adapter frame (40) provides stability during transportation of swap body container (12). The adapter frame connected to the swap body container is shaped to allow for an autonomous pick-up. The transporter vehicle (20), as illustrated in Figures 5A to 5E, includes a sufficiently large chassis and wheelbase to support the weight of the swap body container (12). In use, the large wheelbase and chassis contribute to a more stable mode of transport when transporting the swap body container (12). This allows for the engagement means (42) of the adapter frame (40) and the engagement means (24) of the support platform (22) to be a loose fit, such that the transporter vehicle (20) can easily engage to and disengage from the adapter frame (40). The adapter frame (40) connected to the underside of the swap body container (12) proposes that the transporter vehicle (20) indirectly connects to and disconnects from the swap body container (12). Having the loose engagement means (24, 42) minimises the time wasted by manually connecting the transporter vehicle (20) to the swap body container (12). The transporter vehicle (20) is further dimensioned such that it fits between the legs (14) of the swap body container (12) when the legs (14) are in the upright position, as shown in Figure 5B. The engagement means (24) of the support platform (22) are located at the corners thereof with the complementary engagement means (42) of the adapter frame (40) positioned at corresponding locations such that the centre of gravity of the support platform aligns with the centre of gravity (44) of the adapter frame (40). In the illustrated embodiment (10), the engagement means (24) are conical male protrusions configured to be received by corresponding complementary receiving engagement means (42) disposed at vertically corresponding locations on the adapter frame (40). The conical shape of the protrusions improves the accuracy of aligning the transporter vehicle (20) with the adapter frame (40). It should, however, be appreciated that the protrusions should not be limited to a specific shape, but merely to the function they perform. The function being that the protrusions provide engagement means to engage with the adapter frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the transporter assembly could be configured such that the adapter frame includes protrusions and the support platform includes the receiving engagement means. The transporter vehicle (20), in the described embodiment (10), includes omni-directional wheels (28), such that the wheels are rotatable for 360 degrees around the axis of the wheels’ connecting shafts (30). The connecting shafts (30) are configured to rotatably attach the wheels (28) to the connecting shafts at one end thereof and connect to the transporter vehicle (20) at the other end of the connecting shafts (30). The connecting shafts (30), thereby, connecting the wheels (28) to the transporter vehicle (20). The omni-directional wheels (28) are configured to be driven in any direction, such the transporter vehicle (20) may be driven in any direction, irrespective of the orientation of the transporter vehicle (20). In the illustrated embodiment (10) the transporter vehicle (20) is configured to have smaller peripheral dimensions than the peripheral dimensions of the swap body container (12) such that the transporter vehicle (20) comprises a footprint smaller than the footprint of the swap body container (12). The footprint of both the transporter vehicle (20) and the swap body container (12) can be viewed from their respective top views. The transporter vehicle (20), configured to fit underneath the swap body container (12) when the swap body’s legs (14) are in an extended condition, therefore, is hidden underneath the swap body container (12), when looking at the aerial view of the assembly (10), when the transporter vehicle (20) engages with the adapter frame (40). The adapter frame (40) includes a connection means (46) to connect to the underside of the swap body container (12). The connection means (46) includes one or more twist-lock connectors (50), as illustrated in Figures 4B and 4C. The twist-lock connectors (50) each comprise a shaft (51) terminating, at a first end, in a substantially conical end (52), and the shaft (51) located within a lock housing (53). A turning knob (55) is attached to a second end of the shaft (51). The turning knob (55) is configured to rotate the shaft (51) about its centre axis (A-A). A shaft arm (54) is attached to the shaft (51) at a location of the shaft (51) situated in the housing (53). The housing (53) includes an opening (56) with the shaft arm (54) configured to extend through the opening (56). The underside of the swap body container (12) includes a receiving connection means (16), as more clearly illustrated in Figures 4D and 4E, in the form of receiving apertures, for receiving the twist-lock connectors (50) of the adapters frame’s connection means (46). The receiving aperture is configured to guide the conical end (52) of the shaft (51) such that the shaft (51), housing (53) and shaft arm (54) are located within the receiving aperture when the adapter frame is attached to the underside of the swap body container (12). The receiving aperture further includes a locking formation for receiving the shaft arm (54). When the locking formation receives the shaft arm (54), the twist-lock (50) is locked to the receiving aperture, in effect, locking the adapter frame (40) to the underside of the swap body container (12). When the shaft (51), housing (53), and shaft arm (54) are received by the receiving aperture, the turning knob (55) may be rotated to locate the shaft arm (54) within the locking formation. The lifting mechanism (26) is located underneath the support platform (22), such that, in use, the support platform (22) is lifted when the lifting mechanism (26) is extended and lowered when the lifting mechanism (26) is lowered as shown in Figures 2A to 2C. In the illustrated embodiment (10), the lifting mechanism is configured to be a hydraulic jack. The hydraulic jack includes telescopic tubes filled with pressurised fluid. A hydraulic pump mechanism is attached to the telescopic tubes of the hydraulic jack, the pump configured to pump hydraulic fluid to and from the telescopic tubes. When hydraulic fluid is pumped into the tubes, the tubes extend harmoniously, in effect extending the lifting mechanism (26) and lifting the support platform (22). When the hydraulic fluid is pumped from the tubes, the tubes shorten such that the lifting mechanism (26) lowers the support platform (22). It should be understood that the functionality of the lifting mechanism (26) should not be limited to a hydraulic jack. The hydraulic jack may, for example, be replaced by an electrical actuator, a rack and pinion formation, or the like. The adapter frame (40) may be shaped in a grid formation, more specifically a ladder-type grid formation. The ladder-type grid formation may consist of two sets of parallel members creating a substantially rectangular formation. The rectangular formation consisting of the parallel members may be aligned with a base of the swap body container (12). Furthermore, a first set of the two sets of parallel members (40a, 40b) may be shorter than a second set (40c, 40d) of the two sets of parallel members, yet extending past the second set of parallel members. The first set of parallel members (40a, 40b) may terminate in twist-lock connectors (50) at side edges of the swap body container. The second set of parallel members (40c, 40d) may terminate to connect to the first set of parallel members (40a, 40b) and may be have a relative distance of less than the length of the first set of parallel members (40a, 40b). The second set of parallel members (40c, 40d) may include engagement means (46) for engaging with the corresponding engagement means (24) of the support platform (22). The ladder-type grid formation may include one or more supports positioned between the second set of parallel members, the supports configured to provide for extra stability to the adapter frame (40). The adapter frame (40) may be configured to fit within the footprint of the swap body container (12), such that the twist-lock connectors (50) may be flush with the sides of the swap body container (12). The periphery of the adapter frame (40) may be larger than the periphery of the support platform (22), such that the support platform engages with an inner portion of the adapter frame (40). In a further embodiment of the invention, there may be a transporter vehicle similar to the transporter vehicle (20) as shown in Figures 1 to 5E in which the adapter frame (40) is integral to the underside of the swap body container. In this embodiment, the twist-lock connectors (50) are absent and the engagement means of the adapter frame (40) are included in the underside of the swap body container. The engagement means of the transporter vehicle are complementary to the engagement means of the underside of the swap body container such that the transporter vehicle may engage with the underside of the swap body container. All other features, excluding the twist-lock connectors, as described in the aforementioned embodiment (10) are included in the current exemplary embodiment of the invention. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there may be a transporter vehicle similar to the transporter vehicle (20) as shown in Figures 1 to 5E but with no adapter frame . In this embodiment, twist-lock connectors may replace the engagement means of the transporter vehicle. The twist-lock connectors may be similar to the twist-lock connectors (50) as described in the previous embodiment (10) and may connect directly to receiving apertures located on the underside of the swap body container. The receiving apertures may be configured with a locking formation for locking the twist-lock connectors thereto, and in effect locking the support platform to the underside of the swap body container. The transporter vehicle (20) may be a robotic vehicle with an autonomous pickup facility for automated alignment with, engagement with, and lifting of the swap body container (12). The robotic vehicle may include a navigation control for navigating the transporter vehicle to and from a pickup location to a delivery location. The transporter vehicle (20) may be navigated to and from the pickup and delivery locations while transporting the swap body container (12). An example embodiment of a method of transportation is described. At some stage prior to the use of the transporter vehicle (20) to move a swap body container (12) the adapter frame (40) may be attached to the underside of the swap body container (12) by means of connectors (46). Alternatively, an adapter frame may be integrated into the swap body container or the swap body container adapted to engage with the support platform. The adapter frame (40) provides a plurality of complementary engagement means (42) that are downward facing ready to receive engagement means (24) of the transporter vehicle (20). Figures 5A to 5E illustrate the movement of the transporter vehicle (20) in use. The transporter vehicle (20) is positioned underneath the swap body container to align with the engagement means (42) of the adapter frame (40) located at the underside of the swap body container (12). To position the transporter vehicle (20) it may be driven to approach the swap body container (12) from a side or an end of the swap body container (12) as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B. When the transporter vehicle (20) is driven toward the underside of the swap body container (12), the lifting mechanism (26) may be in a lowered condition. The transporter vehicle (20) is configured to come to a stop when the engagement means (24) is aligned with the engagement means (42), as illustrated in Figure 5C. This positioning may use automated position finding methods to correctly align the transporter vehicle (20) with the adapter frame (40) and therefore the swap body container (20). With reference to Figures 2A to 2C, the support platform (22) is raised by the lifting mechanism (26) beneath the swap body container (12) such that the engagement means (24) of the support platform (22) engage with corresponding complementary engagement means (42) of the adapter frame (40) attached to the underside of the swap body container (12). This may also use an automated lifting procedure based on the required height of lift and the weight of the swap body container (12). The lifting mechanism (26) is then extended to lift the support platform (22) towards the adapter frame (40) to finally engage with the adapter frame, as illustrated in Figure 5D. The lifting mechanism (26) is configured to gauge the required power output required to lift the swap body container (12). Once the lifting mechanism (26) and support platform (22) lifts the swap body container such that the legs (14) are off of the ground, the transporter vehicle is driven in a desired direction towards a delivery location, as illustrated in Figure 5E. The swap body container may be transported with its legs (14) in their upright position. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the legs (14) may be folded during transportation of the swap body container. The transporter vehicle (20) may be autonomous in that it engages and moves a swap body container (12) without human control, at least to a certain extent. This includes one or more of: autonomously positioning the transporter vehicle (20), engaging and lifting the swap body container (12), and navigating the transporter vehicle (20) to the different location. The transporter vehicle (20) and the adapter frame (40) may include electromagnetic signalling features configured to facilitate measuring and positioning the transporter vehicle (22) relative to the adapter frame (40). The signalling features may be provided on the support platform (22) of the transporter vehicle (20). The electromagnetic signalling features may include one or more transmitters and receivers provided on one of the transporter vehicle (20) and the adapter frame (40). The other of the transporter vehicle (20) and the adapter frame (40) may include a transponder or reflector for returning the signal to provide positioning information, In one embodiment, transmitters and receivers provided on the support platform (22) may receive a reflected signal from reflectors or transponders located at the underside of the adapter frame (40). The reflectors or transponders are positioned such that a signal, transmitted by the transmitters, is reflected or returned towards the receivers, indicating that the engagement means are aligned. When the receivers receive the reflected signal the lifting mechanism (26) may lift the support platform (22) to execute connection with the adapter frame (40). Similarly, in another exemplary embodiment, the reflectors or transponders may be located on the legs (14) of the container instead of the underside of the adapter frame (40). The transmitters and receivers may be positioned on the transporter vehicle to transmit a signal to the reflectors and to receive a reflected signal, respectfully, to facilitate aligning the engagement means (24, 42) of the support platform (22) and the adapter frame (40). There may be a computer system for navigation of the autonomous transport vehicle including: a processor and memory configured to provide computer program instructions to the processor to execute the functions of the navigation. The computer system may include a control system and a navigation system at the transporter vehicle. A remote server may provide a computing unit for interaction with the computer system of the vehicle. The control system may be configured to be a self-driving control system. Alternatively, it may be a remote control system for remotely controlling the transporting vehicle along the route of transport. The control unit may further be configured to have a cloud-based infrastructure. The transporter vehicle may include a propulsion system, with the control system configured to interpret the information obtained by a sensing system and executable navigation instructions, and control the propulsion system configured to enable travel of the transporting vehicle along the route of transport. The control system may continuously receive feedback from the sensing system to allow for realtime control of the propulsion system. The sensing system may include a processor configured: to receive the sensor information relating to navigation data including environmental data and location data from the sensing elements in the set of sensing elements which are configured to sense predetermined conditions relevant for the vehicle’s transport operation. The processor may also be configured to process the sensor information to generate instructions to guide the transporting vehicle along the route of transport; and to transmit the processed sensor information to the propulsion system. The sensing system and the control system may be provided by one or more computer systems, each including a processor and a memory configured to provide computer program instructions to the processor to execute the functions of the systems. The computing system of the control system is configured to communicate with a computing unit to thereby receive operating instructions from the computing unit and operate the transporting vehicle in accordance with the received instructions. A navigation control may be configured to execute an autonomous method of navigation of the transporter vehicle for transporting a swap body container. The navigation control may be provided to the control system at the transporter vehicle. The control system may be configured to execute the set of executable navigation instructions to control movement of the transporter vehicle along the route of transport and to execute the set of lifting data to control a lifting mechanism of the transporter vehicle at the pickup location and the delivery location. The method of navigation executed by the navigation control may include providing a route between a pickup location of a swap body container and a delivery location of the swap body container. This route may, for example, be within a storage facility for loading and unloading swap body containers. During navigation, the transporter vehicle may obtain sensor information from a sensor system including a set of sensing elements provided on the transporter vehicle, the sensing elements providing information relating to navigation data including environmental data and location data. The method may provide for processing the sensor information to determine a route of transport. The route of transport may be associated with a route record. The method may further provide for generating a set of executable navigation instructions derived from the determined route of transport. A pickup location and a delivery location may be determined from the set of executable navigation instructions. A set of lifting data may be provided including positioning and power output data required to lift the shipping container. The method may include generating the set of lifting data and storing both the set of executable navigation instructions and the set of lifting data. The set of executable navigation instructions and the set of lifting data may be transmitted to the control system provided for controlling the transporter vehicle. A computing unit may be provided at a computer server for transmitting navigation instructions in real-time to the control system. The route of transport may be associated with the route record by associating a unique identifier with the route of transport, the unique identifier configured to be an identifier assigned to a delivery route linking the pickup location and the delivery location. A transport notification may be received, the transport notification indicating that transporting the container along the delivery route is needed, wherein the notification includes the unique identifier. The route associated with the unique identifier may be determined in response to receiving the notification. The set of executable navigation instructions may then be transmitted to the control system. The transport notification may be rejected by the computing unit in response to detecting that the vehicle has reached a maximum load-carrying capacity. A load sensor may be provided to sense the load the vehicle is carrying and the load sensor may transmit a rejection signal to the computing unit once the maximum load carrying capacity is reached. The computing unit may receive a delivery notification once the transporter vehicle has reached the delivery location, with the delivery notification providing an indication that the container has been transported. The delivery notification may be transmitted once the vehicle has reached the second location and the load sensor transmits a signal indicating that the container has been removed from the vehicle. The computing unit may receive an obstacle notification from a sensing element and, in response, updating the route record. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Finally, throughout the specification and accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A transporter assembly for a swap body container with the swap body container having four foldable legs, comprising:a transporter vehicle including a support platform and a lifting mechanism for lifting thesupport platform relative to the transporter vehicle, wherein the support platform includes a plurality of spaced apart engagement means; andan adapter frame connectable to an underside of the swap body container and including a plurality of complementary engagement means configured for engagement with corresponding10 engagement means of the support platform when the support platform is raised beneath the swapbody container;wherein the transporter vehicle has a smaller footprint than that of the swap body container and transporter vehicle being further dimensioned such that it fits between legs of the swap body container when the legs are in an upright position, and15 wherein the transporter vehicle has omni-directional wheels for manoeuvrability and toallow the transporter vehicle to enter underneath the swap body container approaching from a side of the swap body container.CM2. The transporter assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter frame is shaped to allow for an '20 automated alignment with the support platform.' 3. The transporter assembly of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the adapter frame is in theform of a grid configured to distribute weight of the swap body container and provide stability during transportation of the swap body container.

4. The transporter assembly of claim 3, wherein the adapter frame has connection means in the form of twist-lock connectors at corners of the grid connectable to receiving apertures provided on the underside of the swap body container.30 5. The transporter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagementmeans of the support platform are provided at corners of the platform and correspond to the complementary engagement means disposed at vertically corresponding locations on the adapter frame.35 6. The transporter assembly of claim 5, wherein the engagement means of the supportplatform are in the form of conical male engagement means for alignment with the complementary engagement means in the form of receiving engagement means disposed within the adapter frame.

7. The transporter assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein theadapter frame includes electromagnetic signalling features configured to facilitate positioning of the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame for the engagement with the adapter frame.

58. The transporter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transporter vehicle includes electromagnetic signalling features configured to facilitate positioning of the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame for the engagement with the adapter frame.10 9. The transporter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liftingmechanism is a hydraulic jack mechanism.

10. The transporter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transporter vehicle is a robotic vehicle with an autonomous pickup facility for automated alignment with, 15 engagement, and lifting of a swap body container., 11. The transporter assembly of claim 10, wherein the robotic vehicle includes a navigation| control for navigating the transporter vehicle transporting a swap body container between a pickuplocation and a delivery location.)2012. A method of transporting for a swap body container with the swap body container having । four foldable legs, comprising:attaching an adapter frame to an underside of the swap body container;positioning a transporter vehicle underneath the swap body container including the25 transporter vehicle approaching the swap body container from a side of the swap body container, wherein the transporter vehicle has a smaller footprint than the swap body container and the transporter vehicle being dimensioned to fit between the legs of the swap body container when the legs are in an upright position and the transporter vehicle having omni-directional wheels for manoeuvrability, and wherein the transporter vehicle includes a support platform including a30 plurality of spaced-apart engagement means and a lifting mechanism for lifting the support platform relative to the transporter vehicle;lifting the support platform such that the engagement means of the support platform engage with corresponding complementary engagement means of the adapter frame when the support platform is raised beneath the swap body container; and35 moving the transporter vehicle supporting the swap body container to a different location.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the adapter frame to the underside of the swap body container includes attaching by means of connectors and wherein the adapter frameincludes a plurality of complementary engagement means.

14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, including autonomously positioning the transporter vehicle and lifting the swap body container.

515. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, including navigating the transporter vehicle to the different location.

16. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, including measuring and positioning 10 the transporter vehicle relative to the adapter frame by implementing electromagnetic signalling features.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electromagnetic signalling features include one or more of the group of: transmitters, transponders, and reflectors.1521 06 24

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