Container Moving Assembly with Lifting Platform

The patent introduces a container moving assembly as an intermediary device between the operator and the heavy container. This assembly includes a platform that engages with the container's base, a lifting mechanism with cables and pulleys, and a wheeled carriage system. The intermediary device transfers the operator's minimal effort into sufficient force to move the container by engaging its base and providing mechanical advantage through the pulley system.

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of multiple individuals directly lifting and moving the container with a mechanized system. The container moving assembly uses a motorized or manually-operated winch, cable pulley system, and wheeled carriage to substitute human physical effort. This mechanical substitution allows a single operator to control the container movement through levers, handles, or motor controls rather than direct physical lifting.

The platform and wheeled carriage serve as intermediaries between the operator and the container, distributing contact forces across multiple wheel contact points with the ground rather than concentrating force at a single point. This intermediary contact system improves traction on slippery surfaces by spreading the load and increasing the surface area in contact with wet or freezing ground.

The patent transitions from direct horizontal dragging of the container to a two-stage process: first vertical lifting of the container base onto the platform, then horizontal movement of the platform-carriage assembly. This dimensional change from purely horizontal force application to combined vertical-lifting-then-horizontal-moving approach overcomes the limitation of insufficient horizontal traction on slippery surfaces.

The lifting mechanism with cables and pulleys creates an equipotential transition by vertically elevating the container base onto the platform before moving it horizontally. This eliminates the need to directly push or pull the container up the incline, effectively breaking the inclined force requirement into a vertical lift (handled by the mechanical advantage system) followed by horizontal movement on a level platform surface.

The patent replaces the direct mechanical pushing or pulling of the container up the incline with a cable-suspended lifting and positioning system. The winch and pulley mechanism substitutes for human pushing force, providing mechanical advantage that reduces the input force required. The wheeled carriage then handles the horizontal transport on level ground, eliminating the need for sustained inclined pushing.

The container moving assembly is segmented into distinct functional modules: a platform for container base engagement, a lifting mechanism with cables and pulleys, a wheeled carriage for mobility, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while being independently manageable. The modular structure reduces overall complexity by making the system assembly and disassembly straightforward, and allows a single operator to interact with simplified control interfaces for each module.

The container moving assembly is designed to be self-contained and self-operating to the extent possible. The winch system automatically winds cables, the pulleys self-adjust to load positions, and the wheeled carriage self-navigates on level surfaces. This self-service design minimizes the complexity of control required from the operator, reducing physical effort while keeping the operational interface simple despite the mechanical complexity of the assistance system.