DYNAMIC PROCESSING OF OBJECTS PROVIDED IN ELEVATED VEHICLES WITH EVACUATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING OBJECTS
A system is disclosed for receiving a plurality of objects from an elevated trailer of a tractor trailer. The system includes a collection conveyor extending between a base end and a coupled end, the coupled end being rotatably coupled to an evacuation conveyor, said collection conveyor including an object facing surface between the base end and the coupled end for receiving the plurality of objects, said collection conveyor being rotatably adjustable with respect to the evacuation conveyor at the coupled end, and both the evacuation conveyor and the coupled end of the collection conveyor being elevationally adjustable.
1 - 40 . (canceled)
41 . A trailer unloading system for unloading a plurality of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer, said trailer unloading system comprising:
a collection conveyor including a base end and an opposite coupling end for coupling to an evacuation conveyor, the collection conveyor including a first surface for contacting the plurality of objects within the trailer via a back end thereof;
a trailer rotation system for rotating the trailer with respect to a first axis proximate the back end of the trailer such that the plurality of objects are urged against the first surface of the collection conveyor as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis; and
a collection conveyor rotation system for rotating of the collection conveyor with respect to a second axis at the base end of the collection conveyor, the second axis being substantially parallel with respect to the first axis such that the collection conveyor remains engaged with the plurality of objects as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis.
42 . The trailer unloading system of claim 41 , wherein the rotation of the trailer with respect to the first axis is in a first rotational direction and the rotation of the collection conveyor with respect to the second axis is in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.
43 . The trailer unloading system of claim 41 , wherein the collection conveyor rotation system includes a vertical movement system and a horizontal movement system for vertically and horizontally moving the coupling end of the collection conveyor with respect to the first axis.
44 . The trailer unloading system of claim 41 , wherein the system includes an anchor area proximate a floor of the trailer and the back end of the trailer to which the base end of the collection conveyor is attached.
45 . The trailer unloading system of claim 41 , wherein the system further includes a force detection system for detecting force against the collection conveyor and providing collection conveyor force data.
46 . The trailer unloading system of claim 45 , wherein the system adjusts rotation of trailer responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
47 . The trailer unloading system of claim 45 , wherein the system adjusts rotation of the collection conveyor responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
48 . The trailer unloading system of claim 41 , wherein the evacuation conveyor includes a ramp section that couples with a facilities conveyor, the ramp section providing an elevation drop to the facilities conveyor.
49 . The trailer unloading system of claim 48 , wherein the system further includes a dynamic engagement assembly for dynamically engaging the facilities conveyor with the ramp section using as the evacuation conveyor is raised and lowered.
50 . The trailer unloading system of claim 49 , wherein the dynamic engagement assembly includes rollers, and wherein the ramp section includes a tapered width that narrows toward the facilities conveyor.
51 . A trailer unloading system for unloading a plurality of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer, said trailer unloading system comprising:
a collection conveyor including a base end and an opposite coupling end for coupling to an evacuation conveyor, the collection conveyor including a first surface for contacting the plurality of objects within the trailer at a back end thereof that includes a back end trailer opening;
a trailer rotation system for rotating the trailer with respect to a first axis a back end of the trailer such that the plurality of objects are urged against the first surface of the collection conveyor as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis; and
a collection conveyor rotation system for rotating of the collection conveyor with respect to a second axis at the base end of the collection conveyor, the second axis being substantially parallel with respect to the first axis such that the collection conveyor remains substantially parallel with the back end trailer opening as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis.
52 . The trailer unloading system of claim 51 , wherein the rotation of the trailer with respect to the first axis is in a first rotational direction and the rotation of the collection conveyor with respect to the second axis is in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.
53 . The trailer unloading system of claim 51 , wherein the collection conveyor rotation system includes a vertical movement system and a horizontal movement system for vertically and horizontally moving the coupling end of the collection conveyor with respect to the first axis.
54 . The trailer unloading system of claim 51 , wherein the system includes an anchor area proximate a floor of the trailer and the back end of the trailer to which the base end of the collection conveyor is attached.
55 . The trailer unloading system of claim 51 , wherein the system further includes a force detection system for detecting force against the collection conveyor and providing collection conveyor force data.
56 . The trailer unloading system of claim 55 , wherein the system adjusts rotation of trailer responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
57 . The trailer unloading system of claim 55 , wherein the system adjusts rotation of the collection conveyor responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
58 . The trailer unloading system of claim 51 , wherein the evacuation conveyor includes a ramp section that couples with a facilities conveyor, the ramp section providing an elevation drop to the facilities conveyor.
59 . The trailer unloading system of claim 58 , wherein the system further includes a dynamic engagement assembly for dynamically engaging the facilities conveyor with the ramp section using as the evacuation conveyor is raised and lowered.
60 . The trailer unloading system of claim 59 , wherein the dynamic engagement assembly includes rollers, and wherein the ramp section includes a tapered width that narrows toward the facilities conveyor.
61 . A method of unloading a plurality of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer, said method comprising:
contacting the plurality of objects within the trailer via a back end of the trailer with a first surface of a collection conveyor, the collection conveyor including a base end and an opposite coupling end for coupling to an evacuation conveyor;
rotating the trailer with respect to a first axis proximate the back end of the trailer such that the plurality of objects are urged against the first surface of the collection conveyor as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis; and
rotating the collection conveyor with respect to a second axis at the base end of the collection conveyor, the second axis being substantially parallel with respect to the first axis such that the collection conveyor remains engaged with the plurality of objects as the trailer is rotated with respect to the first axis.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the rotation of the trailer with respect to the first axis is in a first rotational direction and the rotation of the collection conveyor with respect to the second axis is in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.
63 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the rotating the collection conveyor involves moving the coupling end of the collection conveyor vertically and horizontally using a vertical movement system and a horizontal movement system.
64 . The method of claim 61 , wherein method further includes attaching the base end of the collection conveyor to an anchor area proximate a floor of the trailer and the back end of the trailer.
65 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the method further includes detecting force against the collection conveyor and providing collection conveyor force data.
66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the method further includes adjusting rotation of trailer responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the method further includes adjusting rotation of the collection conveyor responsive to the collection conveyor force data.
68 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the evacuation conveyor includes a ramp section that couples with a facilities conveyor, the ramp section providing an elevation drop to the facilities conveyor.
69 . The method of claim 68 , wherein the method further includes dynamically engaging the facilities conveyor with the ramp section using a dynamic engagement assembly as the evacuation conveyor is raised and lowered.
70 . The method of claim 69 , wherein the dynamic engagement assembly includes rollers, and wherein the ramp section includes a tapered width that narrows toward the facilities conveyor.