System for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers

Abstract

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A system for moving and storing containers comprising:
 a storage area comprising an arrangement of container storage shafts configured to accommodate vertical stacking of containers therein;   a first crane connected with the storage area and configured to move containers from a location outside of the storage area to the storage area;   a second crane disposed in the storage area and configured to move containers inside of the storage area and in or out of the container storage shafts.   
     
     
         30 . The system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the location outside of the storage area is a loading or unloading zone where containers are loaded on or unloaded from a transportation source by the first crane. 
     
     
         31 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the transportation source is a marine transportation source. 
     
     
         32 . The system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein loading or unloading zone is disposed in or adjacent the storage area where containers are loaded on or unloaded from a transportation source by the second crane. 
     
     
         33 . The system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the transportation source is a ground transportation source. 
     
     
         34 . The system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the container shafts are arranged in a first set of rows aligned in a first direction, and a second set of rows aligned in a second direction. 
     
     
         35 . The system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the container shafts in the first set of rows are sized to accommodate containers having different lengths, and wherein the container shafts in the second set of rows are sized to accommodate containers having the same length. 
     
     
         36 . The system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the container shafts are arranged in a grid pattern of the first and second direction of rows. 
     
     
         37 . The system as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the first crane is a gantry crane that is mounted on the storage area, and wherein the second crane is an overhead crane that is movably mounted in the storage area. 
     
     
         38 . A container storage and transport system comprising:
 a storage area comprising an arrangement of shafts for accommodating storage of containers therein, the shafts being arranged in a first set of rows aligned in a first direction and in a second set of rows aligned in a second direction different from the first direction;   a gantry crane connected with the storage area and configured to move containers between the storage area and a loading or unloading area outside of the storage area; and   an overhead crane in the storage area configured to move containers within the storage area to and from shafts.   
     
     
         39 . The system as recited in  claim 38 , comprising a platform configured to accommodate a container and move the in the first direction, wherein the gantry crane is configure to load a container onto or unload a container from the platform. 
     
     
         40 . The system as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the overhead cranes are configured to move containers to or from a loading or unloading area that is different from the gantry crane loading or unloading area. 
     
     
         41 . The system as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the overhead crane loading or unloading area is inside or outside of the storage area and is used with container ground transportation sources. 
     
     
         42 . The system as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the stacks arranged in the first direction are sized to accommodate differently sized containers. 
     
     
         43 . The system as recited in  claim 42 , wherein the stacks arranged in the second direction are sized to accommodate similarly sized containers. 
     
     
         44 . The system as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         45 . A method for transporting a container comprising the steps of:
 moving a container between a loading or unloading area associated with a first transportation source and a first location of container storage area using a first crane that is connected with the container storage area; and   moving the container between the first location and a second location inside of the container storage area using a second crane disposed in the container storage area, wherein the container storage area comprises a plurality of stacks each configured to accommodate storage of respective containers therein.   
     
     
         46 . The method as recited in  claim 45 , further comprising moving the container using the second crane between the second location and a loading or unloading associated with a ground transportation source. 
     
     
         47 . The method as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the first location comprises a platform configured to move the container along the container storage area. 
     
     
         48 . The method as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the stacks are arranged in a number of first rows aligned in a first direction and a number of second rows aligned in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the stacks in the first rows are sized to accommodate differently sized containers, and wherein the stacks in the second rows are sized to accommodate similarly sized containers.