U.S. patent application number 10/937122 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for storage system.
Invention is credited to Allan Grainger.
Application Number | 20060049197 10/937122 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35995180 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060049197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grainger; Allan |
March 9, 2006 |
Storage system
Abstract
A storage system includes a rack (300) having a plurality of
uprights (306) rigidly connected together and at least one pair of
parallel opposed rails (314). Holders (200) are slidably mounted on
the rails and in use a container (100) is held by a holder. At
least one fixing device (112) is located on the container and at
least one fixing device (211) is located on the holder, in use,
each said container fixing device co-operating with a corresponding
said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the
holder. The container and/or the holder include at least one
arrangement (212, 214) for guiding the container into a position on
the holder that enables the container and holder fixing devices to
co-operate.
Inventors: |
Grainger; Allan; (Merthyr
Tydfil, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
35995180 |
Appl. No.: |
10/937122 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/0082 20130101;
A61F 6/065 20130101; A61F 2006/041 20130101; B65D 19/385 20130101;
B65G 1/026 20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D 2519/00029
20130101; B65D 2519/00661 20130101; B65D 11/18 20130101; B65D
2519/00034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A storage system including: a container including a base,
upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed
side walls; a holder including a base for supporting the container
to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder; at least one
fixing device located on the container; at least one fixing device
located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding said
holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder,
and the container and/or the holder including at least one
arrangement for guiding the container, when it is lowered onto the
holder, to a position that enables the container fixing device and
the holder fixing device to co-operate.
2. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the holder
further includes at least one end wall upstanding from the holder
base and/or at least one side wall upstanding from the holder
base.
3. A storage system according to claim 2, wherein dimensions of the
holder base are greater then dimensions of the container base such
that, in use, a gap exists between at least one of the container
walls and an adjacent said wall of the holder, with at least some
of the container fixing devices and/or the holder fixing devices
being at least partially located within the gap.
4. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the holder
further includes at least one end wall upstanding from the holder
base and at least one side wall upstanding from the holder base,
and the guiding arrangement includes an element located in a corner
formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall, the
element having an exposed slanted surface such that, in use, when
an edge of the container is pushed against the slanted surface, the
container is guided generally towards a middle portion of the
holder end wall.
5. A storage system according to claim 4, wherein the slanted
corner element is located near top edges of the corner between the
holder side wall and the holder end wall.
6. A storage system according to claim 2, wherein the guiding
arrangement includes at least one protrusion located on an external
surface of a said container end wall and at least one corresponding
element located on an internal surface of the end wall of the
holder, the holder wall element being slanted downwards towards a
middle portion of the holder end wall.
7. A storage system according to claim 2, wherein each said
container fixing device is located on an outer surface of a said
side wall of the container and each said holder fixing device is
located on an inner surface of a corresponding said side wall of
the holder.
8. A storage system according to claim 6, wherein the container
fixing device includes a curved portion that forms a closed loop
with a said container side wall and the holder fixing device
includes a generally-hook shaped device that, in use, engages the
loop to fix the container on the holder.
9. A storage system according to claim 8, wherein the holder fixing
device is spring-loaded to engage with the container fixing device
in use.
10. A storage system according to claim 6, wherein the holder
fixing device includes at least one aperture on a said wall of the
holder, the aperture positioned to correspond to the position of a
corresponding said protrusion on the container then the base of the
container is supported by the base of the holder.
11. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the container
further include at least one handle for assisting with moving the
container.
12. A rack storage system including: a rack including a plurality
of uprights rigidly connected together and at least one pair of
parallel opposed rails; a container including a base, upstanding
from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls,
the holder being dimensioned to be supported on the rails of the
rack; a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie
substantially flat on the base of the holder; at least one fixing
device located on the container; at least one fixing device located
on the holder, in use, each said container fixing device
co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to
releasably fix the container on the holder, and the container
and/or the holder including at least one arrangement for guiding
the container, when it is lowered onto the holder, to a position
that enables the container fixing device and the holder fixing
device to co-operate.
13. A rack storage system according to claim 12, wherein the holder
includes a set of wheels to facilitate travel on the rails.
14. A rack storage system according to claim 12, wherein the holder
and/or the rack includes a formation to limit travel of the holder
on the rails.
15. A rack storage system according to claim 12, wherein the rack
and/or the holder includes a device for releasably fixing the
holder in the rack.
16. A rack storage system according to claim 12, wherein the rack
is fitted with at least one hoop that assist with lifting the
rack.
17. A storage system including: a container including a base,
upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed
side walls; a holder including a base for supporting the container
to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein
upstanding from the holder base is at least one end wall and at
least one side wall; at least one fixing device located on the
container; at least one fixing device located on the holder for
co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to
releasably fix the container on the holder, and an element located
in a corner formed between the holder side wall and the holder end
wall, the element having an exposed slanted surface such that, in
use, when an edge of the container is pushed against the slanted
surface, the container is guided generally towards a middle portion
of the holder end wall to enable the container fixing device and
the holder fixing device to co-operate.
18. A storage system including: a container including a base,
upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed
side walls; a holder including a base for supporting the container
to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein
upstanding from the holder base is at least one end wall; at least
one fixing device located on the container; at least one fixing
device located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding
said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the
holder, and at least one protrusion located on an external surface
of a said container end wall and at least one corresponding element
located on an internal surface of the end wall of the holder, the
holder wall element being slanted downwards towards a middle
portion of the holder end wall such that, in use, when the
container is lowered onto the holder, the protrusion guides the
container generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall
to enable the container fixing device and the holder fixing device
to co-operate.
19. A method of releaseably fixing a container on a holder in a
storage system including: a container having a base, upstanding
from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls; a
holder including a base for supporting the container to lie
substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein upstanding
from the holder base are two opposed end walls and two opposed side
walls; at least one fixing device located on the container, and at
least one fixing device located on the holder for co-operating with
a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the
container on the holder, the method including steps of: moving one
end of the container towards a rear end of the holder, and lowering
the other end of the container onto the front end of the holder,
such that the other end of the container contacts a guiding
arrangement that guides the container to a position that enables
the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to
co-operate.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein when the one end of the
container is moved towards the rear end of the holder, an edge of
the container is pushed against a slanted surface located in a
corner formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall
so that the container is guided towards a middle portion of the
holder end wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Heavy-duty storage systems have a variety of uses. In
certain situations, such as when used by the military, the systems
can be subjected to large external forces (e.g. when used onboard a
land or air vehicle) and "rough handling" by personnel and so the
systems need to be very robust. However, this requirement often
means that the systems are heavy and can be unwieldy, even when
several people are involved in moving them. Precisely positioning
such heavy-duty equipment is therefore difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a storage system including:
[0004] a container including a base, upstanding from which are two
opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;
[0005] a holder including a base, wherein dimensions of the holder
base are greater than dimensions of the container base such that,
in use, the base of the container lies substantially flat on the
base of the holder;
[0006] at least one fixing device located on the container;
[0007] at least one fixing device located on the holder, in use,
each said container fixing device co-operating with a corresponding
said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the
holder, and
[0008] the container and/or the holder including at least one
arrangement for guiding the container, when it is lowered onto the
holder, to a position that enables the container fixing device and
the holder fixing device to co-operate.
[0009] Upstanding from the container base may at least one end wall
and/or at least one side wall. In use, a gap may exist between at
least one of the container walls and an adjacent said wall of the
holder, with at least some of the container fixing devices and/or
the holder fixing devices being at least partially located within
the gap.
[0010] The holder may include at least one said end wall and at
least one said side wall upstanding from the holder base, and the
guiding arrangement can include an element located in a corner
formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall, the
element having an exposed slanted surface such that, in use, when
an edge of the container is pushed against the slanted surface, the
container is guided generally towards a middle portion of the
holder end wall. The slanted corner element may be located near the
top of the corner formed between the holder side and end walls. In
one embodiment, the holder includes at least one end wall and two
opposed side walls, with one said corner element being located in a
corner formed between one said side wall and the end wall and
another said corner element being located in a corner formed
between the other side wall and the end wall.
[0011] The guiding arrangement may include at least one protrusion
located on an external surface of a said container wall (e.g. a
said end wall) and at least one corresponding element located on an
internal surface of the holder, the holder wall elements being
slanted downwards towards a middle portion of the holder (end)
wall. In one embodiment, at least one said end wall of the
container includes a pair of spaced apart said container wall
protrusions and the holder (end) wall includes a corresponding pair
of said slanted elements.
[0012] In one embodiment, each said container fixing device is
located on an outer surface of a said side or end wall of the
container and each said holder fixing device is located on an inner
surface of a corresponding said wall of the holder.
[0013] The container fixing device may include a curved portion
that forms a closed loop with a said container wall and the holder
fixing device may include a generally-hook shaped device that, in
use, engages the loop to fix the container on the holder. Such a
holder fixing device may be spring-loaded to engage with the
container fixing device. Additionally or alternatively, the fixing
device may include at least one protrusion on a (side or end) wall
of the container (or holder) and a corresponding aperture on a wall
of the holder (or container). For example, the holder fixing device
may include at least one aperture on a said wall of the holder, the
aperture positioned to correspond to the position of a
corresponding said protrusion on the container then the base of the
container is supported by the base of the holder.
[0014] The container walls may have a height less than a height of
the holder walls. The container may further include at least one
handle for assisting with moving the container. The handle may be
hingeably connected to a said container wall (usually at a point
above the height of the holder walls).
[0015] The system may further include a rack including a plurality
of uprights rigidly connected together and at least one pair of
parallel opposed rails, the rails being dimensioned to support the
container.
[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a rack storage system including:
[0017] a rack including a plurality of uprights rigidly connected
together and at least one pair of parallel opposed rails;
[0018] at least one container including a base, upstanding from
which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;
[0019] at least one holder including a base, wherein dimensions of
the holder base are greater than dimensions of the container base
such that, in use, the base of the container lies substantially
flat on the base of the holder, the holder being dimensioned to be
supported on the rails of the rack;
[0020] at least one fixing device located on the container;
[0021] at least one fixing device located on the holder, in use,
each said container fixing device co-operating with a corresponding
said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the
holder, and
[0022] the container and/or the holder including at least one
arrangement for guiding the container, when it is lowered onto the
holder, to a position that enables the container fixing device and
the holder fixing device to co-operate.
[0023] The holder may include a set of wheels for travelling on the
rails. The holder and/or the rack may include a formation to limit
travel of the holder on the rails.
[0024] The rack and/or the holder may include a device for
releasably fixing the holder in the rack. For example, the holder
may include a bar and the rack can include a pivotable latch that
releaseably engages the holder bar in use.
[0025] The rack may be fitted with at least one hoop for assisting
with lifting the rack.
[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a storage system including:
[0027] a container including a base, upstanding from which are two
opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;
[0028] a holder including a base for supporting the container to
lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, where upstanding
from the holder base is at least one end wall and at least one
opposed side wall;
[0029] at least one fixing device located on the container;
[0030] at least one fixing device located on the holder for
co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to
releasably fix the container on the holder, and
[0031] an element located in a corner formed between the holder
side wall and the holder end wall, the element having an exposed
slanted surface such that, in use, when an edge of the container is
pushed against the slanted surface, the container is guided
generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall to enable
the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to
co-operate.
[0032] According to yet another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a storage system including:
[0033] a container including a base, upstanding from which are two
opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;
[0034] a holder including a base for supporting the container to
lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, where upstanding
from the holder base is at least one end wall and at least one
opposed side wall;
[0035] at least one fixing device located on the container;
[0036] at least one fixing device located on the holder for
co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to
releasably fix the container on the holder, and
[0037] at least one protrusion located on an external surface of a
said container end wall and at least one corresponding element
located on an internal surface of the end wall of the holder, the
holder wall element being slanted downwards towards a middle
portion of the holder end wall such that, in use, when the
container is lowered onto the holder, the protrusion guides the
container generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall
to enable the container fixing device and the holder fixing device
to co-operate.
[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of releaseably fixing a container on a holder
in a storage system including:
[0039] a container having a base, upstanding from which are two
opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;
[0040] a holder including a base for supporting the container to
lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, upstanding from
the holder base are two opposed end walls and two opposed side
walls;
[0041] at least one fixing device located on the container, and
[0042] at least one fixing device located on the holder for
co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to
releasably fix the container on the holder, the method including
steps of:
[0043] moving one end of the container towards a rear end of the
holder, and
[0044] lowering the other end of the container onto the front end
of the holder, such that the other end of the container contacts a
guiding arrangement that guides the container to a position that
enables the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to
co-operate.
[0045] When the one end of the container is moved towards the rear
end of the holder, an edge of the container may be pushed against a
slanted surface located in a corner formed between the holder side
wall and the holder end wall so that the container is guided
towards a middle portion of the holder end wall.
[0046] Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to
any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the
following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way
of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0048] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a container used with
the storage system;
[0049] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0050] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a holder for the container;
[0051] FIG. 4 is a side view of the holder of FIG. 3;
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically the container being placed
onto the holder;
[0053] FIG. 6 details schematically part of the container being
placed onto the holder;
[0054] FIG. 7 is a side view of the container fixed on the holder,
and
[0055] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a rack that can be used with the
holder (and container).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The container 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a rectangular
base 102. As with other components of the storage system, the base
102 can be formed from one or more piece and of a variety of
materials (e.g. metals, wood or strong plastics) and can have
various dimensions, depending on the particular application for
which the storage system is to be used. For example, the container
base 102 can be formed of steel and have a width of around 686 mm
(27'') and a length of around 1066 mm. Standing substantially
perpendicularly upwards from the base 102 are two opposed side
walls 104A, 104B and two opposed end walls 106A, 106B. Each of the
side and end walls can have a height of around 1000-2000 mm. Thus,
the container 100 takes the form of a rectangular box with an open
top. A lid (not shown), possibly a slidable lid, may be provided to
at least partially close the top of the box in use.
[0057] Each side wall 104 includes, on its outer surface, a pair of
spaced apart handles 108. Each of the two handles on the side walls
are located at or near opposing side ends of the walls. Each end
wall 106 also includes, on its outer surface, a handle 108 at a
generally central location across the width of the end wall. The
handles 108 are cylindrical in cross-section and have been bent to
form a generally rectangular loop shape. Each handle is hingeably
connected to the wall by means of a plate (not detailed) that is
fixed to the wall using rivets, the plate being formed to have a
tubular channel in which one of the longer sides of the handle is
located. The opposite longer side of the handle 108 may be fitted
with a grip formed of rubber or the like. The top of the handles
are fixed about one quarter of the way down from the top edge of
the container walls 104, 106. It will be understood that the
locations and number of handles on the walls of the container 100
can be varied from the example shown, but the arrangement in the
Figures allows the container to be conveniently handled by several
persons. In an alternative version, the handles may be intended for
use with mechanical lifting equipment such as a fork-lift truck or
a crane.
[0058] The end walls 106A, 106B of the container each include, on
their outer surfaces, a pair of spaced apart protrusions 110. Each
protrusion is generally disk-shaped and has a thickness of around
50 mm. Each protrusion is located about one quarter of the way
across from the nearest side edge of its end wall and about 25-51
mm (1''-2'') from the bottom edge of its end wall. Again, it will
be understood that the locations and number of protrusions on the
walls of the container 100 can be varied from the example
shown.
[0059] The side walls 104A, 104B of the container each include, on
their outer surfaces, a pair of spaced apart fixing devices 112. In
the example, each fixing device on the container takes the form of
a squared U-shaped bent portion of steel that, when viewed from
above, forms a closed generally rectangular-shaped loop with the
outer surface of the adjacent side wall 104. The locations and
number of fixing devices 112 shown are exemplary only and it could
be the case, for example, that one fixing device is located on each
end wall.
[0060] In the example, each fixing device 112 on the container 100
is intended to co-operate with a hook-like fixing device on the
holder (component 211 as described below) to releasably fix the
container on the holder, but it will be understood that other types
of fixing devices or formations could be used. For example, the
fixing devices on the container could take the form of grooves,
slots or the like into which moveable arms or bolts on the holder
fit to fix the holder and container together. Alternatively, the
holder could be provided with loop-shaped fixing devices and the
container with the hook-like fixing devices.
[0061] In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the holder 200 is intended
to hold the container 100 and can effectively act as a "sliding
shelf" in a rack system (as described below). Thus, when the
container 100 is fixed on the holder 200 that is slidably mounted
on the rack, the container can function as a removable drawer. The
holder includes a rectangular base 202 having a width of around 699
mm (27.5'') and a length of around 1080 mm. Standing substantially
perpendicularly upwards from the base 202 are two opposed side
walls 204A, 204B and two opposed end walls 206A, 206B. The side and
end walls of the holder are shorter than the side and end walls of
the container 100, which means that the handles 108, for example,
on the container do not interfere with the holder. It will be
understood that in some cases the holder could comprise only the
base 202 (with the fixing devices and other components described
herein being located on the base instead of on the holder walls),
although having one or more (and preferably all four) upstanding
walls can provide additional security for the container in use.
[0062] Each side wall 204 of the holder includes, on its outer
surface near one side edge of the wall, a wheel 208. In the
example, the wheels 208 are intended to allow the holder to move on
a pair of parallel opposed rails of a storage rack as described
below. In this case, the end of the holder 200 (including end wall
206A) where the wheels 208 are located will be considered to be the
rear end of the holder (and the opposite end (including end wall
206B) of the holder the "front end"). The outer surface of at least
one side wall 204 of the holder 200 may include a stop 209 that can
engage with a formation on the storage rack to limit travel of the
holder. It will be appreciated that the number and locations of the
wheels 208 shown in the Figures are exemplary only in some cases
the wheels and/or the stop 209 may not be present, depending upon
how the holder is to be used.
[0063] The end wall 206A at the rear end of the container 200
includes a pair of spaced-apart apertures 210. Each aperture 210 is
located about one quarter of the way across from the nearest side
edge of the end wall 206A and about 25-51 mm (1''-2'') from the
bottom edge of the end wall to correspond with the locations of the
protrusions 110 on the outer surface of the end walls of the
container 100. Each aperture also has a diameter corresponding to
the diameter of the protrusions 110 so that the protrusion can fit
into the aperture when the container base is lying on the holder
base, thereby helping secure the container on the holder.
[0064] Each side wall 204 includes, on its outer surface near the
front end of the holder, a fixing device 211. In the example, each
fixing device 211 includes a spring-bound latch bar (e.g.
"ZincVersa Latch" manufactured by SouthCo of Pennsylvania, USA)
having a hook-like formation at one end. The hook can be moved by
an operator to engage with the corresponding fixing device 112 on
the container (and disengaged when the container is to be removed
from the holder).
[0065] The internal surface of front end wall 206B is fitted with a
pair of spaced apart guiding formations 212A, 212B. The first
guiding formation 212A is located some distance (e.g. 200 mm) away
from the corner between the left-hand side wall 204A in FIG. 3 and
the end wall 206B). The second guiding formation 212B is located a
similar distance away from the corner between the right-hand side
wall 204B and the end wall 206B. Each guiding formation 212A, 212B
includes an elongate flat portion of steel which is fixed, e.g. by
means of welding, to the internal surface of the end wall 206B. One
end of the first guiding formation 212A is fixed to a point of the
internal surface of the end wall 206B near, or at, its top edge and
then slants downwards at an angle so that the other end of the
guiding formation 212A is located at a point on the internal
surface that is nearer the middle of the end wall (i.e. further way
from the side wall 204A). One end of the second guiding formation
212B is fixed to the internal surface of the end wall 206B near, or
at, its top edge and then slants downwards at an angle so that the
other end of the guiding formation 212B is located at a point on
the internal surface that is nearer the middle of the end wall 206B
(i.e. further way from the side wall 204B than the top of the
slanting formation 212B). Although having two guiding formations in
the holder provides considerable assistance with fitting the
container in the holder, there may still be some benefit in having
only one such guiding arrangement.
[0066] The internal corner between the side wall 204A and the rear
end wall 206A is fitted with a first further guiding formation
214A. Similarly, the internal corner between the side wall 204B and
the rear end wall 206A is fitted with a second further guiding
formation 214B. Each further guiding formation 214 is a generally
wedge-shaped piece of steel having a length corresponding to the
height of the holder side and end walls and is fixed, e.g. by means
of welding, into its corner of the holder 200. Each wedge shape has
a right-angled triangular cross-section. The first further guiding
formation 214A has its shorter (base) side fixed to the inside of
the end wall 206A and its longer (height) side fixed to the inside
of the side wall 204A. Similarly, the second further guiding
formation 214A has its shorter side fixed to the inside of the end
wall 206A and its longer side fixed to the inside of the side wall
204B. Although having the further guiding formations located in
both corners of the holder provides considerable assistance with
fitting the container in the holder, there may still be some
benefit in having only one such further guiding arrangement in one
corner.
[0067] At least one side wall 204 may have located, on its outer
surface (e.g. near the upper edge of the side wall), a locking bar
216. This is intended to co-operate with a locking mechanism in the
storage rack as discussed below to help secure the holder 200 (and
the container 100, if fixed) in the rack.
[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically an example of how the
container 100 is placed on the holder 200. Typically, one end of
the container will be moved/pushed (or "thrown") back and down
towards the rear end of the holder and the other end of the
container will be lowered (e.g. allowed to drop) into the front end
of the holder. The corner guiding arrangements 214 are intended to
assist with correctly positioning the container at the rear end of
the holder, whilst the front end guiding arrangements 212 are
intended to assist with correctly positioning the container at the
front end of the holder. Having the container "correctly
positioned" on the holder allows the fixing devices on the holder
and/or container to co-operate (e.g. the spring bound devices 211
engaging with the loop-shapes 112; the protrusions 110 entering the
apertures 210), thus releasably securing the container on the
holder.
[0069] As one end of the container 100 comes into contact with the
corner guiding arrangements 214, the slanted wedge shape of the
arrangements 214 causes the end of the container to be moved away
from the side walls 204 of the holder and towards a more central
location within the holder. This allows the protrusions 110 on the
end of the container to move inside the apertures 210 on the rear
end wall 206A of the holder.
[0070] FIG. 6 details schematically (the front end wall 206B is not
shown for ease of illustration) how one of the front guiding
arrangements 212A assists with correctly positioning the container
in the holder. As the (front) end of the container 100 moves down
into the holder 200, a protrusion 110 comes into contact with the
guiding arrangement 212A. The slanted nature of the arrangement
212A means that the protrusion 110, and therefore the container
100, is moved away from the side wall 204A of the holder and
towards a more central position within the holder. Normally, at the
same time, contact with the other guiding arrangement 212B will be
causing the other protrusion on the container end wall 206B to move
away from the side wall 204B and towards the middle portion of the
holder. In this way, the base 102 of the container should come to
rest substantially flat on the base 202 of the holder. A gap will
usually be left between at least the side walls of the container
and the inner surfaces of the corresponding walls of the holder.
The gap between the side walls of the container and the holder may
be around 13 mm (0.5''). The gap between the front end wall of the
holder and the adjacent end wall of the container may be around
13-25 mm (0.5-1''). The gap between the side walls of the container
and the holder accommodates the loop-shaped devices 112 and the
spring-bound devices 211, and allows the devices 211 to properly
dis/engage with the loops, thereby helping secure the container on
the holder.
[0071] It will be appreciated that having the protrusions 110 on
both end walls of the container 100 means that the container can be
placed with either end adjacent the front holder wall 206B whilst
still allowing the guiding action provided by the guiding
arrangements 212 to take place. Also, having the loop-shaped fixing
devices 112 at both ends of the container side walls 104 means that
engagement with the hook-like fixing devices 211 can still take
place, regardless of which end of the container is adjacent the
front end wall 206B. FIG. 7 shows the fixing devices 211 and 112
engaged with the container secured on the holder.
[0072] Turning to FIG. 8, an example of a rack 300 that can be used
to store a plurality of holders 200 (and containers 100, if fixed)
is shown. It will be appreciated that the rack can be manufactured
from a variety of materials (e.g. metal, wood or strong plastics)
and will normally be dimensioned to correspond with the dimensions
of the holders and containers that will be used in conjunction with
it. In the example, the rack includes a rectangular base 302 that
is mounted on four feet 304, each foot being located at one corner
of the rectangular base. The base 302 may be fitted with one or
more devices (not shown) for fixing the rack to a floor (which may
be on a vehicle or in a building), e.g. a threaded arrangement such
as the ones commonly known as "ISO cargo hold-down devices".
[0073] The base supports the framework which comprises at least a
plurality of rigidly-connected uprights and rails for supporting
the holders. At each corner of the upper surface corner of the base
302 is an upright 306. Near the top of the four uprights there may
be a rectangular plate 308 to help hold the rack framework
structure together. Various struts may also be used to help secure
the structure, for example a strut may extend from an upright at
the rear end of the rack across to an upright at its front end.
Additionally or alternatively, a diagonal cross bar 310A at the
rear of the rack may extend from near the top of one upright to
near the bottom of another other upright at the opposite end of the
rear of the rack (or to the base 302). Another diagonal cross bar
310B may also extend in the opposite direction between the two rear
uprights to help hold the structure together. No such cross bars
are present at the front end of the rack, which may be left
substantially open to allow holders/containers to be placed
inside.
[0074] The uprights include at least one pair of opposed, parallel
rails 314 that can be used to support the holders. The rails 314
may be shaped to co-operate with the wheels 208 of the holder and
can have formations that allow the stops 209 to limit the travel of
the holder on the rails (or may have formations that can limit
travel without the need for a stop on the holder itself). The pairs
of rails in the rack can be set apart by different vertical
distances to allow containers of different sizes to be used.
Further, the presence of the rail/holder immediately above a
particular container can help keep that container in position. The
rack may be fitted with devices for securing the holders within the
rack. Such a device may include a pivotable latch (not detailed in
the Figure; similar to the arrangement described in the present
applicant's published specification US-2004-0112260-A1) can be used
to secure the holder within the rack by engaging with the latch
bar(s) 216 on the holder. Further security may be provided by
having the front uprights of the rack fitted with gates, similar to
those also shown in US-2004-0112260-A1.
[0075] The top of at least some of the uprights 306 may be fitted
with hoops 312. The hoops can be fitted with cables or the like
that can be used to allow the rack (and its contents) to be lifted,
e.g. by means of a helicopter.
* * * * *