US 12,006,136 B1
IBC installation/manipulation tool for stacked rail containers
John L. Szeglin, Sayville, NY (US); and Richard Belkin, Mooresville, NC (US)
Assigned to Peck & Hale, L.L.C., West Sayville, NY (US)
Filed by Peck & Hale, L.L.C., West Sayville, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/066,382.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/912,704, filed on Oct. 9, 2019.
Int. Cl. B65D 90/00 (2006.01); B25B 27/14 (2006.01); B66C 1/10 (2006.01); B66C 23/16 (2006.01); B66C 23/48 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 90/002 (2013.01) [B66C 1/10 (2013.01); B66C 23/166 (2013.01); B25B 27/14 (2013.01); B66C 23/48 (2013.01); B66C 2700/0357 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tool for installing and removing an interbox connector into and from a corner fitting of a cargo container positioned on a rail car, said connector including upper and lower locking cones, said upper locking cone including an opening therethrough, said connector further including a handle for twisting said cones, comprising:
a base;
a support column carried on said base;
a boom pivotably supported by said support column, said boom having a delivery end and an opposing operator end;
support structure attached to said delivery end of said boom, said support structure configured to releasably engage said opening in said upper locking cone whereby said connector can be delivered to or removed from said corner fitting of said cargo container, said support structure including an orienting mechanism for facilitating the orientation of said connector with respect to said corner fitting;
a release mechanism extending between said support structure and said operating end for releasing said connector from said support structure during installation; and
wherein said boom is pivotable between a first position wherein said delivery end is located at a first height which allows an operator to load said connector onto said support structure and a second position wherein said delivery end is located at a second height which allows the operator to install or remove said connector to or from said corner fitting;
wherein said support structure includes a truss having an upper horizontal bar and a lower horizontal bar, and wherein said lower horizontal bar is sized and configured to extend through said opening in said upper locking cone whereby said connector is carried by said boom and delivered to or removed from said corner fitting of said cargo container;
wherein said support structure further includes a keeper, said keeper being secured to said upper horizontal bar and being positioned to retain said connector on said lower horizontal bar during transport of said connector to and from said corner fitting of said cargo container;
wherein said support structure further includes a guide, said guide being located and configured to engage said handle of said connector to orient said connector in a predetermined orientation; and
wherein said guide is a tubular section secured to said lower horizontal bar of said truss, said tubular section being sized to allow said handle to slide therethrough.