US 12,240,715 B2
System and method for unloading a shipping container
Donald Jeffrey Walters, Wetherill Park (AU); and Becky Jane Walters, Wetherill Park (AU)
Filed by Wombat Timbers Pty Ltd., Wetherill Park (AU)
Filed on Oct. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/048,938.
Prior Publication US 2024/0132307 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0228199 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 67/24 (2006.01); B64F 1/32 (2006.01); B65G 13/12 (2006.01); B65G 39/12 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 67/24 (2013.01) [B64F 1/32 (2013.01); B65G 13/12 (2013.01); B65G 39/12 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for unloading palletized cargo from an intermodal shipping container, comprising:
a. a platform comprising conveyer rollers, wherein the platform has a proximal edge aligned with the floor of a shipping container with the shipping container doors open, and the wherein the rollers are aligned parallel to the proximal edge;
b. wherein the platform is supported by four jacks that can be adjusted such that the platform is level and wherein the rollers are at the exact height of the floor of the container;
c. wherein a winch is mounted on a distal edge of the platform, wherein the winch comprises a motor and a cable;
d. wherein the winch cable is connected to the apex of a two-prong hook;
e. wherein the hook has a distal end pointed away from the winch, and a proximal end pointed towards and the winch, and wherein the hook has a V-shape with two prongs with grappling hooks at the distal end of each prong, and a pivot at the apex of the V-shape at the proximal end of the hook;
f. wherein the prongs of the V-shaped hook can contract and expand around the pivot in the apex of the hook;
g. wherein the prongs of the hook are inserted into the base of the pallet and the hook is expanded so that the grappling hooks of each prong engage a base member of the pallet; and
h. wherein the winch is activated and the winch cable pulls the pallet out of the container onto the roller of the platform.