U.S. patent application number 12/091597 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for mobile garment carrier.
Invention is credited to Gerard Meehan.
Application Number | 20090120887 12/091597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35515714 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090120887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meehan; Gerard |
May 14, 2009 |
MOBILE GARMENT CARRIER
Abstract
A garment carrier (110) adapted to fit within a transportation
container, especially a sea freight or air freight container. The
carrier comprises a support frame (115, 117) and hanger rails (138)
connectable to the support frame. The carrier is operable between
an assembled state, in which the support frame components are
interconnected to define a storage region for garments, and a
disassembled state in which at least some of said support frame
components and hanger rails are disconnected from one another to
allow said disconnected components and hanger rails to be stacked
upon each other such that said storage region is substantially
eliminated.
Inventors: |
Meehan; Gerard; (Belfast,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN & BURKHART, LLP
SUITE 207, 2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE, S.E.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49546
US
|
Family ID: |
35515714 |
Appl. No.: |
12/091597 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 26, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/010318 |
371 Date: |
November 17, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00611
20130101; B65D 2519/00781 20130101; B65D 2519/00452 20130101; B65D
2519/00129 20130101; B65D 2519/00572 20130101; B65D 2519/00164
20130101; B65D 2519/00019 20130101; B65D 2519/00233 20130101; B65D
2519/00293 20130101; B65D 2519/00059 20130101; B65D 2519/00273
20130101; B65D 2519/00338 20130101; B65D 2519/00323 20130101; B65D
2519/00502 20130101; B65D 2519/00985 20130101; B65D 2519/0082
20130101; B65D 85/185 20130101; B65D 2519/00532 20130101; B65D
2519/00661 20130101; B65D 2519/00696 20130101; B65D 19/385
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/18 20060101
B65D085/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 26, 2005 |
GB |
0521786.4 |
Claims
1. A garment carrier adapted to fit within a transportation
container, the carrier comprising a support frame being comprised
of a plurality of support frame components; and at least one hanger
rail connectable to said support frame, wherein the carrier is
operable between an assembled state, in which said support frame
components are interconnected to form said support frame, said
support frame defining a storage region for garments, and said at
least one hanger rail being connected to said support frame and
extend substantially across said storage region, and a disassembled
state, in which at least some of said support frame components and
hanger rails are disconnected from one another to allow said
disconnected components and hanger rails to be stacked upon each
other such that said storage region is substantially
eliminated.
2. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support
frame comprises first and second side frames, a respective first
upright being provided at one end of each side frame and a
respective second upright being provided at the other end of each
side frame; at least one first rail support member connectable
between respective first uprights, and at least one second rail
support member connectable between respective second uprights,
wherein said at least one hanger rail is connectable between said
first and second rail support members.
3. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and
second side frames are substantially rectangular in shape and, when
the carrier is in the assembled state, are spaced apart in
substantially parallel planes, said at least one rail support
member extending substantially perpendicular to said parallel
planes and said at least one hanger rail extending substantially
parallel with said parallel planes.
4. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rail
support members are connectable to said uprights at a plurality of
locations along the length of the upright.
5. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein each upright
comprises, spaced apart along its length, a plurality of apertures
for receiving a fixing member.
6. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein a respective
male or female member is provided adjacent or around each aperture,
a corresponding female or male member being provided on said rail
support members for engagement therewith when said rail support
members are connected to said uprights.
7. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least
one hanger rail is connectable to said rail support members at a
plurality of locations along its length.
8. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein each rail
support member comprises a plurality of apertures spaced apart
along its length for receiving a bolt or other fixing member.
9. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rail
support member is shaped to define a shelf which, in the assembled
state, extends between the respective uprights and supports an end
of at least one of said hanger rails.
10. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rail
support member comprises an elongate body portion and a respective
bracket at each end of the body portion, the brackets being
connectable to the respective uprights.
11. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein said brackets
extend substantially perpendicularly from said body portion.
12. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 11, wherein said brackets
are fixed to said body portion end-to-end such that the rail
support member is substantially U-shaped.
13. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein each bracket
includes at least one aperture for receiving a bolt or other fixing
member.
14. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, comprising a brace
member connectable to one or other of said side frames and
extending substantially diagonally across said side frame.
15. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at
least one ground engagable wheel fixed to, or removably mountable
on, the support frame.
16. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wheel is
incorporated into a respective wheel assembly unit, said wheel
assembly unit being pivotable about an axis that is substantially
parallel with the in use axis of rotation of the wheel between a
ground-engaging position and a stored position in which the wheel
is located substantially above, in use, the level of the lower
cross-pieces.
17. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, in which at least one
of said side frames includes at least one abutment member
projecting outwardly of the respective side frame.
18. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least
one abutment member includes at least one elongate bar extending
substantially along the length of at least one of said side frames,
and being located at the in use upper and/or in use lower end of
the respective side frame.
19. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least
one abutment member includes at least one abutment pad.
20. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least some
of said abutment members are reversibly extendable in a direction
away from the carrier.
21. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a
lifting mechanism operable between a deployed state, in which the
lifting mechanism is arranged to engage with a ground surface in
order to lift the support frame with respect to the ground surface,
and a retracted state in which the support frame is not lifted with
respect to the ground surface.
22. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 21, wherein, in the
deployed state the lifting mechanism is arranged to lift the wheel
out of rolling contact with the ground surface, and in the
retracted state the wheel is capable of rolling engagement with the
ground surface.
23. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 21, wherein said lifting
mechanism comprises at least one ground engagable rail coupled to
the support frame and movable towards and away from the in use
underside of the support frame by means of a coupling mechanism,
and said coupling mechanism comprising, two or more linkage members
pivotably connected to each of the rail and the support frame.
24. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one hanger rail comprises a rail portion and a cap portion, the cap
portion being releasably engagable with the body portion in order
that hangers may, in use, be clamped between the rail portion and
the cap portion.
25. A garment carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rail
support members are slidably coupled to respective uprights for
sliding movement longitudinally of said uprights.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to mobile garment carriers,
especially for a shipping container or for an air freight
container.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Garments are commonly transported from their country of
manufacture to their country of sale or distribution in general
purpose shipping containers. The transportation of shipping
contained may take place by land, air and/or sea.
[0003] In order to protect the garments from damage or undue
creasing, it is preferred to hang the garments within the shipping
container rather than simply stack them one on top of the other. To
this end it is common for organisations to modify the general
purpose containers to include hanging equipment. Most commonly, a
rail is welded across the inside of the container from end to end,
from which rail garments, or racks of garments, can be
suspended.
[0004] A perceived problem with this arrangement is that the
utility of the modified containers is compromised by the provision
of the rail, which is usually a permanent fixture of the modified
container. As a result, once the garments have been unloaded, it is
not usually possible to put the modified container to immediate
good use. This a particular problem in today's garment industry
where the transportation of garments is mostly one-way traffic:
garments are transported from one country, say in the Far East, to
another country, for example the United Kingdom, but not the other
way round. This means that the modified containers normally end up
being transported back to the country of origin (or to another
destination where they can be used to carry garments) either empty,
or only partially filled with other cargo. Clearly, this is
uneconomical.
[0005] Another perceived problem with the conventional arrangement
is the time taken to load and unload garments into the containers.
Typically, the containers only become available when the carrying
vehicle (e.g. ship, plane, train, lorry) arrives at the
loading/unloading destination. Thus, if the carrying vehicle is to
continue its journey with the same containers, its departure is
delayed by the time it takes to load and unload the containers.
Again for economical reasons it is desirable to reduce the
loading/unloading time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a garment
carrier adapted to fit within a transportation container, the
carrier comprising a support frame being comprised of a plurality
of support frame components; and at least one hanger rail
connectable to said support frame, wherein the carrier is operable
between an assembled state, in which said support frame components
are interconnected to form said support frame, said support frame
defining a storage region for garments, and said at least one
hanger rail being connected to said support frame and extend
substantially across said storage region, and a disassembled state,
in which at least some of said support frame components and hanger
rails are disconnected from one another to allow said disconnected
components and hanger rails to be stacked upon each other such that
said storage region is substantially eliminated.
[0007] From another aspect the invention provides a garment carrier
adapted to fit within a transportation container, the carrier
comprising a support frame; one or more hanger rails; and at least
one wheel arranged to facilitate movement of the carrier with
respect to ground.
[0008] Preferably, the support frame is generally rectangular in
cross-section and comprises two opposing side-frames, said one or
more hanger rails being supported, in use, between said opposing
side frames. Preferably, the carrier comprises at least three
wheels which, conveniently, may be fixed, or mountable, to one or
other of the side frames.
[0009] Preferably, the carrier comprises at least one adjustable
abutment member being extendible outwardly with respect to the
support frame. More preferably, the carrier comprises at least one
adjustable abutment member on either side of at least one set of
opposing sides of the support frame. Preferably, the carrier
includes at least one adjustable abutment member on the base of the
support frame.
[0010] Preferably, the carrier includes at least one fixed abutment
member projecting outwardly from the support frame.
[0011] In preferred embodiments, the carrier includes a lifting
mechanism comprising at least one rail coupled to the base of the
carrier and movable between a deployed state and a retracted state.
In the deployed state, the lifting mechanism lifts the at least one
wheel off a ground surface. The lifting mechanism is preferably
coupled to the base of the carrier by means of a pivotable linkage
mechanism comprising, for example, two or more linkage members
pivotably connected to each of the rail and the base of the
carrier.
[0012] Further preferred features are recited in the dependent
claims and other advantageous features and aspects of the invention
will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon
review of the following description of specific embodiments and
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of
example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile garment carrier
embodying the invention:
[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first component of the
carrier of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of second component of the
carrier of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a third component of the
carrier of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows in side view a transport container loaded with
eight garment carriers as shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of part of a garment carrier
including a lifting mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a mobile garment carrier;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the mobile garment carrier of FIG.
5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an end view of the mobile garment carrier of FIG.
5;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the mobile garment carrier of FIG.
5;
[0024] FIGS. 9 and 10 show perspective views of respective
suspension mechanisms for use with the wheels of garment carriers
embodying the invention;
[0025] FIGS. 11 and 12 show perspective views of respective
alternative hanger rail configurations;
[0026] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view an alternative mechanism
for connecting the rail supports to the uprights;
[0027] FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the upright shown in FIG. 13;
and
[0028] FIG. 15 shows a side view of an alternative rail
support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown,
generally indicated at 10, a mobile garment carrier embodying the
invention. The carrier 10 comprises a support frame 12 which
includes two opposing end or side frames 14, 16. The side frames
14, 16 are generally or substantially rectangular and are comprised
of a respective spaced-apart upper cross-piece 18, 20 and lower
cross-piece 22, 24 and a respective spaced-apart left upright 26,
28 and right upright 30, 32. The side frames 14, 16 are joined to
one another at their respective lower cross-pieces 22, 24 by two
spaced apart base supports 34, 36. Four spaced-apart hanger rails
38 are provided between the opposing side frames 14, 16,
conveniently connected between the respective upper cross-pieces
18, 20.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the upper cross-pieces 18, 20
are arranged to project beyond the locations where the outermost
hanger rails 38 join with the upper cross-pieces 18, 20. The
respective projecting portion of the upper cross-pieces form
abutment members which, in the preferred embodiment are fixed and
provided with a respective abutment plate 40. Preferably, the left
and right uprights 26, 28 and 30, 32, the base supports 34, 36 and
the hanger rails 38 are made from rigid material, preferably metal
e.g. steel or aluminium, of substantially rectangular
cross-section. The upper and lower cross-pieces 18, 20 and 22, 24,
which are also preferably made from metal, are conveniently
L-shaped in cross-section in order to facilitate fixing the base
supports and hanger rails thereto. The abutments 40 may be
extendible and retractable in an in use substantially horizontal
direction.
[0031] The carrier 10 also includes a set of wheels 42. In the
preferred embodiment there are four wheels: a respective two wheels
42 being provided on each lower cross-piece 22, 24. The wheels may
take any suitable conventional form and may be mounted to the
carrier 10 in any suitable conventional fashion. It is preferred
that the wheels 42 are able to pivot, or swivel, during use (at
least about an axis that is substantially parallel with the
uprights, or which is substantially vertical during use) and, to
this end, it is convenient to use castors or similar wheels such as
may be found on, for example, furniture or trolleys.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the carrier 10 further includes
a plurality of adjustable abutment members which, in FIGS. 1 and 2,
take the form of adjustable feet 44. The feet 44 are extendible
outwardly of the support frame 12 (downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1)
by any suitable conventional means including screw and thread
arrangements or telescopic means. Preferably, there are four feet,
each foot 44 conveniently being provided on the lower cross-pieces
22, 24 adjacent a respective wheel 42. Each foot 44 is moveable
between a retracted state, in which it extends from the support
frame 12 less than the outermost portion of the respective adjacent
wheel 42, and an extended state, in which it projects from the
support frame 12 further than the outermost portion of the
respective adjacent wheel 42. The arrangement is such that, when a
foot 44 is in the retracted state, the respective associated wheel
42 is, during use, in contact with the ground and may roll freely;
and when the foot 44 is in the extended state, the respective wheel
42 is lifted off the ground during use, the carrier thus being
supported by the foot 44.
[0033] In use, garments may be loaded onto the carrier 10 in a
number of different ways. Typically, garments are fitted onto
conventional individual garment hangers (not shown) or onto
conventional multi-garment racks/hangers (not shown), which hangers
are suspended from one or other of the hanger rails 38. Once the
carrier 10 is loaded, it may be wheeled (with the feet 44 in the
retracted state) into a shipping, or transport, container (not
shown in FIG. 1). When the carrier 10 is inside the container, the
feet 44 may be moved to the extended state thereby lifting the
wheels 42 off the base of the container. This prevents the carrier
10 from rolling within the container. It is preferred that the feet
44 are arranged to project sufficiently far from the carrier 10 in
the extended state so as to lift the carrier 10 up until its top
abuts against the roof of the container. Thus a bracing effect is
achieved between the carrier 10 and the container which serves to
secure the carrier 10 with respect to the container.
[0034] One or more similar adjustable abutment members (not shown)
may be provided elsewhere on the support frame 12 (for example on
the upper cross-pieces 18, 20 and/or left and right uprights 26, 28
and 30, 32) and be arranged to project upwardly of the carrier 10,
to the left, to the right, forwards and/or rearwards (all as viewed
in FIG. 1), and arranged to provide, either individually or
combined, a bracing effect between the carrier 10 and the
container.
[0035] Typically, a shipping container is large enough to receive a
plurality of carriers 10 end-to-end or side-by-side depending on
the dimensions of the container and the carrier 10. The carrier 10
shown in FIG. 1 is particularly arranged so that the respective
abutment plates 40 of adjacent carriers 10 abut against one
another. Not only does this help to brace the carriers 10 securely
within the container, but it also maintains a spacing between the
respective outermost hanger rails 38 of adjacent carriers 10 and
this spacing ensures that all of the hanger rails 38 are useable.
In a preferred embodiment, the abutment members that carry the
plates 40 are extendible. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a transport
container 100 loaded with eight carriers 10.
[0036] When unloading a container, the feet 44 (and any other
extendible abutment members) are moved to the retracted state
thereby allowing the, or each, carrier 10 to be wheeled out of the
container. Preferably, a cover 46 (shown in dashed outline in FIG.
1) fits around the loaded carrier 10 during use in order to protect
the garments carried thereby. The cover 46 may be made from, for
example, cloth or plastics.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2A to 2C, it will be seen that the
carrier 10 may readily be disassembled. In the preferred
embodiment, the carrier 10 comprises three main component types
shown respectively in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. FIG. 2A shows an upper
piece comprising upper cross-pieces 18', 20', hanger rails 38 and
abutment plates 40. FIG. 2B shows a side frame comprising left and
right uprights 26, 30, upper and lower cross-pieces 18', 22, two
wheels 42 and two feet 44. FIG. 2C shows a base support 34. The
left and right uprights 26, 30 include a respective socket 50 for
inter-engagement with a respective lug 52 provided on the
cross-piece 18' of the upper piece shown in FIG. 2a (FIGS. 2a and
2b are not shown to scale). Similar lugs 52 are provided on the
cross piece 20' of FIG. 2a. Clearly to form the opposite side of
the carrier 10 a second side frame (not shown) similar to the side
frame shown in FIG. 2b is provided. The second side frame includes
sockets for inter-engagement with the lugs 52 provided on the
cross-piece 20'. It will be understood that when the carrier 10 is
assembled, the two cross-pieces 18' together form the upper
cross-piece 18 and the two cross-pieces 20' together form the lower
cross-piece 20. When assembled, the top piece is conveniently
bolted (or releasable fixed in any other suitable conventional
manner) to the side frames via apertures 54. The base supports 34
may be similarly fixed to the lower cross-pieces 22, 24 via
apertures 56.
[0038] It will be seen that when the carrier 10 is disassembled
into the component parts illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, it may
readily be flat-packed for efficient storage. Referring now to FIG.
4, there is shown part of a garment carrier including a lifting
mechanism, generally indicated as 70. The lifting mechanism may be
used in conjunction with any garment carrier, including the garment
carrier 10, any alternative embodiments of garment carriers
described herein or any other garment carrier embodying any aspect
of this invention. The lifting mechanism 70 comprises an elongate
member in the form of a rail or bar 72 coupled to the base of the
garment carrier. In FIG. 4, the base of the garment carrier is
shown as including a cross bar 71 (which, in use, is disposed
substantially parallel with the surface on which the garment
carrier rests), the crossbar 71 extending between two uprights at
either end or side of the garment carrier. The uprights, which is
shown as 73 in FIG. 4 carry castors 75, or other wheels, at their
in-use lower ends, although the castors may be provided elsewhere
on the base. The rail 72 is preferably substantially parallel with
the base or crossbar 71 of the garment carrier 70. The coupling
between the rail 72 and the base/crossbar 71 is such that the rail
72 is movable between a deployed state (as shown in FIG. 4) and a
retracted state (not illustrated). In the deployed state, the rail
72 is spaced apart from the base/crossbar 71 to an extent that it
is at least partially disposed beyond the castors 75 with respect
to the carrier 70. The arrangement is such that, when the rail 72
engages with a ground surface (not shown) the castor 75 do not
engage with the ground surface. In the retracted state, the rail 72
does not extend beyond the castor 75, i.e. it is located between a
notional line joining the in-use lower surfaces of the castors and
the base/crossbar 71. In this state, when the garment carrier rests
on a ground surface, the castors 75 engage with the ground. The
rail 72 preferably does not engage with the ground in this state
although it could optionally be flush with the castors 75 so that
both the castors 75 and the rail 72 engage with the ground. In the
preferred embodiment, the rail 72 is located against the crossbar
71 when in the retracted state.
[0039] The coupling mechanism between the rail 72 and the base of
the garment carrier preferably takes the form of a pivotable
linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism may comprise a plurality
of link members 74, each being pivotably coupled or connected to
the base/bar 71 and the rail 72. Each link member 74 may take the
form of a bar having one end pivotably connected to the crossbar 71
and the other end pivotably connected to the rail 72. In the
preferred embodiment each link member 74 comprises two spaced
apart, substantially parallel bars, a respective one being disposed
on either side of the rail 72 and crossbar 71 and each being
pivotably connected to the rail 72 and the crossbar 71.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the rail 72 is
movable between its deployed and retracted states by means of a
pivoting motion as the link members 74 rotate about their pivot
points with the crossbar 71 and rail 72.
[0041] To facilitate actuation of the rail 72 between the retracted
and deployed states, a lever 76 may be provided on the lifting
mechanism 70. The lever 76 may be provided in the form of an
extension of one or more of the linkage bars 74, as illustrated by
way of example in FIG. 4. Hence, with reference to FIG. 4, movement
of the lever 76 in the direction indicated by arrow A1 causes the
linkage bar 74 to pivot thereby causing the rail 72 to be actuated
from the deployed state to the retracted state.
[0042] A locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided to lock the
lifting mechanism 70 in the deployed state or the retracted state.
A second lifting mechanism (not shown) being substantially similar
to the lifting mechanism 70, is typically provided on the opposite
side (not shown) of the garment carrier.
[0043] During use, when the lifting mechanism 70 is retracted, the
garment carrier may be wheeled along a suitable ground surface.
When it is desired to prevent the garment carrier from rolling, the
lifting mechanism may be actuated to the deployed state thereby
lifting the castors 75 off the ground surface. In this state, the
rails 72 are in contact with the ground surface and allow a sliding
movement of the garment carrier if required. Since the garment
carriers are typically shipped inside shipping containers, the
lifting mechanism 70, when deployed, may cause the garment carrier
to be braced between two opposing internal surfaces of a shipping
container thereby effectively locking the garment carrier in
position.
[0044] Further, in the preferred arrangement, the spaces defined by
the linkage bars 74, the rail 72 and the base/crossbar 71 may
receive the fork (not shown) of a forklift and so facilitate the
lifting and transporting of the garment carriers.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, a preferred embodiment of a
garment carrier 110 is described. The carrier 110 comprises a frame
or framework including first and second opposing side frames 115,
117 which, typically, are substantially rectangular in shape. The
side frames 115, 117 each comprise a respective spaced-apart upper
cross-piece 119, 121 and lower cross-piece 123, 125 and a
respective spaced-apart left upright 127, 129 and right upright
131, 133. The side frames 115, 117, and more particularly the
respective opposing uprights thereof, are joined, in an assembled
state, to one another by means of at least one of, and typically a
plurality of, rail support members 135. In the preferred
embodiment, each pair of opposing uprights 127, 129 and 131, 133
are joined together by at least two respective rail supports 135, a
respective rail support 35 typically being located at or adjacent
the in use upper and lower ends of the uprights 127, 129, 131, 133.
Typically, each rail support 35 extends substantially
perpendicularly between the side frames 115, 117. At least one of
the upper cross pieces 119, 121 is shaped and dimensioned to
project beyond its respective side wall 117, 119 outwardly of the
carrier 110 so that it may serve as a buffer or abutment against
adjacent carriers during use. Additionally, or alternatively, one
or both of the lower cross-pieces 123, 125 may be shaped and
dimensioned to project beyond their respective side wall 117, 119
outwardly of the carrier 110 so that they may serve as a buffer or
abutment against adjacent carriers during use.
[0046] At least one hanger rail 138 is connectable between opposing
rail supports 35. Each hanger rail 138 typically takes the form of
a rigid or semi rigid bar or rod and preferably is substantially
circular in cross-section. In the preferred embodiment, the rails
138 run substantially perpendicular to the rail supports 135.
[0047] The hanger rails 138 and rail supports 135, when assembled,
together form a rack from which garments may be hung.
[0048] Advantageously, a brace 137, typically in the form of a
rigid bar, is provided at one side 117 of the carrier 110. The
brace 137 extends obliquely or substantially diagonally across the
side 117. Preferably, the brace 137 extends substantially from one
corner of the frame 117 substantially to the diagonally opposing
corner of the frame 117. The brace 137 may be fixed to the frame
117 by any convenient means but is preferably removably attachable
to the frame 117, e.g. by means of bolts or other fixings, so that
it may be removed when it is desired to disassemble the carrier
110. In the illustrated embodiment as may best be viewed in FIG. 7,
the brace 137 has a respective socket portion 139 at each end, each
socket portion preferably extending substantially perpendicularly
from the brace 137 and defining a respective socket which fits onto
a respective lug (not visible) projecting from the frame 117 and
which may be secured in place by bolts 141 or other fixings.
[0049] At least one but typically a plurality of apertures 141 are
formed in each of the uprights 127, 129, 131, 133. The apertures
141 are spaced-apart along the respective upright in a longitudinal
direction and are preferably distributed along substantially the
entire length of the respective upright. The apertures 141 formed
in an upright of one side frame 117, 119 are arranged to face, and
to be substantially in register with in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the uprights, the apertures 141 formed in an
opposing upright of the other side frame 119, 117. The apertures
141 provide means by which the rail supports 135 may be detachably
mounted on the uprights and conveniently take the form of
bolt-receiving apertures. Advantageously, a male or female
formation is provided adjacent or at least partially around each
aperture, a corresponding, inter-engaging female or male member
being provided on the rail supports as is described in more detail
below. In the illustrated embodiment, a male member in the form of
a lip or collar 143 is provided around each aperture 141.
[0050] Each rail support 135 comprises a body portion 145 with a
respective bracket portion 147 provided at either end. Each bracket
147 includes at least one a preferably at least two apertures 149
being compatible in size and spacing with the apertures 141 formed
in the uprights. In use, the brackets of each rail support 135
engage with a respective opposing upright of a respective side
frame 117, 119 such that the apertures 149 of the brackets 147 are
aligned with a respective aperture 141 of the respective upright.
In this arrangement, a respective bolt or other removable fixing
may be inserted through the aligned apertures and secured in an
appropriate fashion to fix the rail support 135 between two
uprights. In the illustrated embodiment, a channel or recess (not
visible) is provided around each aperture 149 in the brackets 147
for inter-engagement with the collar 143 around the respective
upright aperture 141. This provides the rail supports 135 with an
improved load-bearing capability. The brackets 147 preferably
extend substantially perpendicularly from the body portion 145 and
comprise at least two apertures 149. The brackets 147 are
conveniently substantially L-shaped in transverse cross-section.
Preferably, the brackets 147 and body portion 145 are connected
end-to-end to one another. Alternatively, at least some of the
brackets (not illustrated) may be relatively truncated and comprise
only one aperture. Such brackets are able to pivot with respect to
the upright about their respective fixing.
[0051] The body portion 145 includes at least one but typically a
plurality of apertures 151 spaced-apart along its length. The body
portion 145 is shaped to define a shelf and, to this end, is
conveniently substantially L-shaped in transverse cross section.
When fitted between opposing rail supports 135 a respective end of
each hanger 138 rests on a respective shelf. The end of each hanger
138 may be provided with an aperture for receiving a bolt, or other
fixing, or may carry a bolt or other fixing that is compatible with
the apertures in the rail support 135. Hence, the hangers 138 may
be releasably fixed to the rail supports 135. When the carrier 110
is assembled, the apertures 151 in opposing rail supports 135 are
aligned such that the hangers 138 run substantially perpendicular
to the rail supports 135. It will be appreciated that other
conventional means for releasably fixing the hangers 138 to the
rail supports 135 and/or the rail supports 135 to the uprights may
be employed.
[0052] The carrier 110 advantageously has a plurality of wheels
142, conveniently 4 wheels, especially swivelling wheels, one at
each lower corner as shown. The wheels 142 may be detachable, or at
least lockable. In a preferred embodiment (not shown), each wheel
142 is incorporated into a wheel assembly unit, each wheel assembly
unit being pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel
with the axis of rotation of the wheels 142 between a
ground-engaging position (e.g. as shown in the drawings) and a
stored position (not illustrated) in which the wheels 142 are
located substantially above (in use) the level of the lower
cross-pieces 123, 125 such that the carrier may rest on the ground
(not shown) without appreciable interference from the wheels 142.
This allows the advantage of effectively being able to remove the
wheels without the disadvantage of potentially losing the wheels
once they are removed. The carrier 110 may also comprise one or
more sockets and/or plugs on its in use underside, and cooperating
plugs and/or sockets on its in use upper face so that two or more
carriers may be stacked one on top of the other with respective
plugs and sockets engaging for stability. For example, the in use
lower end of each upright 127, 129, 131, 133, may be shaped to
define a respective socket, while a corresponding plug or
projection may be provided at the other end of each upright, or
vice versa.
[0053] Optionally, the or each lower cross-piece 123, 125 may carry
one or more rigid straps 155 on its in use underside, the straps
being positioned and dimensioned to receive a tine of a fork lift
(not shown). Preferably, the or each cross-piece 123, 125 has two
such straps 155, spaced apart to accommodate the tines of
conventional fork lifts.
[0054] In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), each hanger
is connectable to the rail supports by means of a twist and lock
mechanism which may comprise a respective key member at each end of
each hanger, typically in the form of a plate disposed
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hanger,
and one or more corresponding slots formed in the rail supports for
receiving and retaining the key members. The preferred arrangement
is that the slot(s) are shaped and dimensioned to allow the keys to
be inserted when in a first orientation and to allow the key
members to be rotated (after insertion into the slot, e.g. by
rotation of the respective hanger) into a second orientation in
which they are retained by the slot.
[0055] Typically, most of not all of the components of the carrier
10, 110 are formed from steel, especially mild steel, or
aluminium.
[0056] It will be apparent that the carrier 110 can readily be
assembled and disassembled by connecting/disconnecting the various
components of the framework as appropriate. Moreover, the carrier
110 may adopt a plurality of configurations to suit different
garment transporting requirements. In particular, the number of
hanging racks (i.e. sets of hanger rails 138 with supports 138) is
selectable, as is the position and relative spacing of the racks.
Within each rack, the number, position and relative spacing of the
hanger rails 138 is also selectable.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 9, each wheel 42, 142, 75 of the
carrier 10, 110 may be coupled to the carrier 10, 110 by a
suspension mechanism 80 which may comprise a shock absorber, for
example in the form of resilient biasing element, such as a spring
82, contained within a housing 84, and arranged to act on a
respective wheel 42, 142, 75 via a wheel support 86. The suspension
mechanism 80 may be fixed to the carrier 10, 110 by any convenient
conventional means, e.g. by bolts or screws. FIG. 19 shows an
alternative suspension mechanism in the form of a shock absorbing
pad or plate 88 provided between the carrier 10, 110 and a
respective wheel support 87. The shock absorbing pad 88 may be
formed from, for example, rubber.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown, in part, an
alternative hanger rail 238. The rail 238 includes a rail portion
239 and a cap portion 241. The cap portion 241 may be removably
fitted onto the rail portion and secured to the rail portion 239 by
any suitable fixing, e.g. one or more bolts 243. The cap portion
241 may be shaped to substantially match the shape of the external
surface of part of the rail portion 239 (typically the in use upper
part of the rail portion 239) so that the cap portion 241 fits
closely to the rail portion 239. Preferably, the cap portion 241 is
dimensioned to extend substantially along the entire length of the
rail portion 239. The cap portion 241 serves as a clamp by which
hangers (not shown), particularly hangers which have a string, or
similar, hanging portion, can be secured to the rails 238. FIG. 12
shows an alternative hanger rail 238', which is similar to the
hanger rail 238, in which the rail portion 239' and cap portion
241' have an alternative cross-sectional shape. In particular, the
in use upper and/or lower faces of the hanger rail 238' may be
shaped to define a respective apex. In some embodiments, a
longitudinal groove 245 may be provided along one or both sides of
the hanger rails 38, 138, 238, 238'. This improves the strength of
the rails and is particularly preferred when the rails are formed
from metal such as aluminium.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, in an alternative
embodiment, the rail support 235 and the uprights 227, 229, 231,
233 are arranged for sliding inter-engagement. To this end, the
uprights 227, 229, 231, 233 include an elongate female connector,
or slide 290, running longitudinally of the uprights. A
corresponding male connector 292 is provided at each end of the
rail supports 235. Alternatively, the female connector(s) may be
provided on the rail supports and a male slide-like connector may
be provided on each upright. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bracket portions 247 of the rail members 235 are provided with
curved runners 294 adapted to fit within correspondingly curved
tracks 296 provided on the uprights. Each rail support 235 may be
coupled between two uprights by slotting the bracket portions 247
into the respective slide 290. The arrangement is such that, when
so engaged, the rail supports 235 are able to be moved only
longitudinally of the uprights. The rail supports 235 may be fixed
in a desired vertical or longitudinal position with respect to the
uprights by any suitable means. Preferably, however, this is
achieved by means of a cam device 298 which is pivotably or
rotatably mounted on the support 235 adjacent a respective aperture
299. The cam device 298 is rotatable or pivotable between a first
operational state, in which the shape and relative angular
orientation of the cam device is such that it does not impede
relative sliding movement between the rail support 235 and the
respective upright, and a second operational state in which the
shape and relative angular orientation of the cam device is such
that it bears against the respective upright to prevent relative
sliding movement between the two.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 15, in an alternative embodiment, at
least some of the rail supports 335 may have a body portion 245
shaped to define a plurality of seats 295 along its length, each
seat being shaped and dimensioned to receive an end of a respective
hanger rail 38, 138, 238, 238', wherein the shape of the seats 295
substantially match the portion of the hanger rail to be seated
therein. Preferably, a respective seat 295 is provided adjacent
each aperture 351.
[0061] The respective features of the embodiments described herein
may be used in other embodiments and/or in combination with other
features as will be apparent to a skilled person.
[0062] The main advantages of carriers embodying the invention are
outlined below. It will be seen that carriers embodying the
invention benefits not only the organisation sending/receiving the
garments, but also the organisation performing the transportation.
Transportation containers may be loaded and unloaded more quickly
than is possible using conventional methods since the carriers 10,
110 may be rolled into/out of the containers rather than
loading/unloading garments individually. Moreover, because the
garments can be pre-loaded into the carriers 10, 110, there is no
need to wait for the arrival of the containers before loading can
begin.
[0063] The provision of a support frame around the garments and in
particular the provision of the cover 46 serves to provide
additional protection for the garments during transportation and
storage. Moreover, the covers 46 may optionally be sealed with a
conventional tamper-evident sealing device. This further increases
the security and facilitates control of the cargo.
[0064] The management of the cargo is facilitated because, before
and after the garments are loaded into or unloaded from the
container, the cargo is in manageable, mobile units, i.e. carriers
10, 110 which are easier to control (e.g. for an onward journey,
distribution or storage) than a pile of individual garments.
Moreover, each carrier 10, 110 may be provided with a unique
identifier, e.g. barcode, to further facilitate management of the
cargo.
[0065] The use of carriers 10, 110 obviates the need to modify
existing shipping containers. Thus, the transportation organisation
can use standard containers without having to keep a supply of
modified containers for garments. This reduces the incidence of
container redundancy.
[0066] Because the preferred carriers can readily be dismantled,
flat-packed and re-assembled, they do not cause storage problems
when not in use and can be returned to the garment source in a
space- and cost-efficient manner.
[0067] It will be understood that invention is not limited to the
specific configuration of carrier 10, 110 shown in the drawings.
For example, the size and shape of the carrier may be modified to
suit the application (and in particular the size and shape of the
transport container for which it is intended). Similarly, the
number of, and position of, the wheels 42, feet 44 (and other
adjustable and non-adjustable abutment members), hanger rails 38,
base supports 34, lugs 52 and apertures 54, 56 may be modified or
varied to suit the application. For example, in alternative
embodiments the carrier may have two or more tiers of hanger rails,
spaced-apart along the length of the uprights. This arrangement is
particularly suitable for carrying garments that are relatively
short in length.
[0068] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described
herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *