Automated loading system alignment assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10179710-B2
Application number	US-201715433133-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 15, 2017
Priority date	Mar 3, 2016
Publication date	Jan 15, 2019
Grant date	Jan 15, 2019

Abstract

Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for loading a shipping container using an alignment assembly, the method comprising:
automatically navigating a loading vehicle to the shipping container, the loading vehicle comprising a clamp to secure a pallet on the loading vehicle;
engaging the alignment assembly with the clamp of the loading vehicle to align the pallet with the shipping container, the alignment assembly being spaced from the shipping container during a loading operation, the alignment assembly comprising
a base connectable to a pole, and
an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base, the alignment bracket comprising a main support member connected to an alignment member, wherein the alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container; and
performing a loading operation to load the pallet onto the shipping container,
wherein the clamp comprises a pressure sensor to enable the loading vehicle to determine when the clamp engages the alignment assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to automatically navigating the loading vehicle to the shipping container, receiving the pallet onto the loading vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the loading vehicle is a laser guided loading vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adjusting the alignment bracket with respect to the base.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alignment assembly is positioned external to the shipping container.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the pallet on the loading vehicle comprises securing contents on the pallet.

Assignees

• Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Cooper William Michael

Classifications

• B65G67/20

  Loading covered vehicles · CPC title

• B65G69/287

  Constructional features of deck or surround · CPC title

• B65G67/04 Primary

  Loading land vehicles {(loading or unloading boats to or from land vehicles B60P3/10)} · CPC title

• B66F9/146

  Side shift, i.e. both forks move together sideways relative to fork support · CPC title

• B65G69/006

  Centring or aligning a vehicle at a loading station using means not being part of the vehicle · CPC title