Claims
- 1. A system for facilitating movement of a shipping container comprising:
- a plurality of air bearing pontoons interposed between a shipping container and a surface, each of said plurality of air bearing pontoons including an inflatable skirt and a controllable air supply coupled to said inflatable skirt for controlling air pressure within said inflatable skirt, wherein said inflatable skirt floats on a cushion of air above the surface; and
- a plurality of fittings with each fitting being positioned at a lower corner of the shipping container, said fitting having three sides with a first side forming a base positioned at the bottom of the shipping container, said fitting further having second and third sides extending perpendicularly up from said first side with said second and third sides joined to one another to form a 90.degree. angle therebetween, each of said first, second and third sides being provided with a receptacle therein, wherein each of said plurality of air bearing pontoons is coupled to the shipping container using at least one said receptacle from two of said plurality of fittings.
- 2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, and wherein each of said plurality of air bearing pontoons is coupled underneath the shipping container such that said plurality of air bearing pontoons reside within the footprint of the shipping container.
- 3. A system as in claim 1 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, said system further comprising a plurality of arms coupling each of said plurality of air bearing pontoons to the shipping container such that said plurality of air bearing pontoons reside outside the footprint of the shipping container.
- 4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of air bearing pontoons comprises two air bearing pontoons disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to one another along the length of the shipping container.
- 5. A system as in claim 4 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, and wherein each of said two air bearing pontoons is coupled underneath the shipping container such that said two air bearing pontoons reside within the footprint of the shipping container.
- 6. A system as in claim 4 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, said system further comprising a plurality of arms coupling each of said two air bearing pontoons to the shipping container such that said two air bearing pontoons reside outside the footprint of the shipping container.
- 7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controllable air supply comprises:
- an air pressure source coupled to said inflatable skirt for supplying air pressure thereto;
- a vent in said inflatable skirt; and
- a controller coupled to said air pressure source and said vent for controlling operation of said air pressure source and said vent.
- 8. A system as in claim 7 wherein said controller is remotely located.
- 9. A system for facilitating movement of a shipping container over a surface comprising:
- a plurality of fittings with each fitting being positioned at a lower corner of a shipping container, said fitting having three sides with a first side forming a base positioned at the bottom of the shipping container, said fitting further having second and third sides extending perpendicularly up from said first side with said second and third sides joined to one another to form a 90.degree. angle therebetween, each of said first, second and third sides being provided with a receptacle therein; and
- two air bearing pontoons coupled to the shipping container using at least one said receptacle from each of said plurality of fittings, said two air bearing pontoons disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to one another along the length of the shipping container, each of said two air bearing pontoons including an inflatable skirt and a controllable air supply coupled to said inflatable skirt for controlling air pressure within said inflatable skirt, wherein said inflatable skirt floats on a cushion of air above a surface.
- 10. A system as in claim 9 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, and wherein said two air bearing pontoons are coupled to said receptacle on said first side of each of said plurality of fittings such that said two air bearing pontoons reside within the footprint of the shipping container.
- 11. A system as in claim 9 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, said system further comprising a plurality of arms coupling each of said two air bearing pontoons to said receptacle on one of said second and third sides of each of said plurality of fittings such that said two air bearing pontoons reside outside the footprint of the shipping container.
- 12. A system as in claim 9 wherein said controllable air supply comprises:
- an air pressure source coupled to said inflatable skirt for supplying air pressure thereto;
- a vent in said inflatable skirt; and
- a controller coupled to said air pressure source and said vent for controlling operation of said air pressure source and said vent.
- 13. A system as in claim 12 wherein said controller is remotely located.
- 14. A system as in claim 9 wherein each of said two air bearing pontoons includes plugs for rigidly coupling each of said two air bearing pontoons to two of said plurality of fittings via said receptacle at one of said first, second and third sides thereof.
- 15. A system for facilitating movement of a shipping container over a surface comprising:
- a plurality of fittings with each fitting being positioned at a lower corner of a shipping container, said fitting having three sides with a first side forming a base positioned at the bottom of the shipping container, said fitting further having second and third sides extending perpendicularly up from said first side with said second and third sides joined to one another to form a 90.degree. angle therebetween, each of said first, second and third sides being provided with a receptacle therein;
- two air bearing pontoons coupled to the shipping container via said plurality of fittings, said two air bearing pontoons disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to one another along the length of the shipping container;
- each of said two air bearing pontoons including a housing and an inflatable skirt disposed beneath said housing, said housing supporting an air pressure source that is coupled to said inflatable skirt for supplying air pressure to said inflatable skirt wherein said inflatable skirt floats on a cushion of air above a surface;
- each said inflatable skirt including a vent therein for venting said air pressure;
- a controller coupled to each said air pressure source and each said vent for controlling operation thereof; and
- means for rigidly coupling each said housing to two of said plurality of fittings via said receptacle at one of said first, second and third sides thereof.
- 16. A system as in claim 15 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, and wherein said means for rigidly coupling cooperates with said receptacle on said first side of each of said plurality of fittings such that said two air bearing pontoons reside within the footprint of the shipping container.
- 17. A system as in claim 15 wherein the shipping container defines a footprint on the surface, and wherein said means for rigidly coupling cooperates with said receptacle on one of said second and third sides of each of said plurality of fittings such that said two air bearing pontoons reside outside the footprint of the shipping container.
- 18. A system as in claim 15 wherein said controller is remotely located.
- 19. A system as in claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of fittings is an ISO standardized fitting.
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by an employee of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.
US Referenced Citations (6)