U.S. patent application number 12/611324 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for low-profile shipping system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Robert Arthur Belinski, Mark O. Derakhshan, William Louis Einziger, Ronald Floyd Lochner, James Grayland McLeod, Timothy Elden Wise.
Application Number | 20110101003 12/611324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43924299 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110101003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Einziger; William Louis ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
LOW-PROFILE SHIPPING SYSTEM
Abstract
A low-profile shipping system for shipping an object without a
pallet includes a shipping crate configured to surround the object
being shipped. The shipping crate is configured to substantially
enclose the object being shipped. The shipping crate defines a
first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway and
the second passageway are adapted to receive a fork of a forklift.
The low-profile shipping system also includes a shipping rail
attached to the inside of the shipping crate at a location above
the first passageway and the second passageway. The shipping rail
is adapted to support the weight of the object and the shipping
crate while the object is being transported by forklift.
Inventors: |
Einziger; William Louis;
(Florence, SC) ; Lochner; Ronald Floyd; (Florence,
SC) ; McLeod; James Grayland; (Florence, SC) ;
Derakhshan; Mark O.; (Florence, SC) ; Belinski;
Robert Arthur; (Florence, SC) ; Wise; Timothy
Elden; (Florence, SC) |
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
43924299 |
Appl. No.: |
12/611324 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/628 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 90/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/628 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/12 20060101
B65D090/12 |
Claims
1. A low-profile shipping system for shipping an object without a
pallet comprising: a shipping crate configured to surround the
object being shipped, said shipping crate comprising: a front panel
shaped to at least partially define a first pair of ports, said
first pair of ports being adapted to receive a fork from a
forklift; a rear panel shaped to at least partially define a second
pair of ports, said second pair of ports being adapted to receive
the fork from the forklift; and a shipping rail attached to the
inside of the shipping crate, said shipping rail being adapted for
attachment to the object being shipped.
2. The low-profile shipping system of claim 1, wherein the shipping
rail is configured to be engaged by the forklift in order to lift
the object and the shipping crate.
3. The low-profile shipping system of claim 1, further comprising a
second shipping rail attached to the inside of the shipping crate,
said second shipping rail being adapted for attachment to the
object being shipped.
4. The low-profile shipping system of claim 3, wherein both the
shipping rail and the second shipping rail are configured to be
engaged by the forklift in order to lift the object and the
shipping crate.
5. The low-profile shipping system of claim 1, wherein the shipping
rail is further adapted to be attached to a magnet of a magnetic
resonance imaging system.
6. The low-profile shipping system of claim 1, wherein the front
panel of the shipping crate is shaped to define an opening that is
adapted to receive a securing member for the purpose of connecting
the shipping rail or the object directly to a vehicle.
7. A low-profile shipping system for shipping an object without a
pallet comprising: a shipping crate configured to substantially
enclose the object being shipped, said shipping crate being shaped
to define a first passageway and a second passageway, said first
passageway and said second passageway being adapted to receive a
fork of a forklift; and a shipping rail attached to the inside of
the shipping crate at a location above the first passageway and the
second passageway, said shipping rail being adapted to support the
weight of the object and the shipping crate while the object is
being transported by the forklift.
8. The low-profile shipping system of claim 7, wherein the shipping
crate comprises a bottom panel.
9. The low-profile shipping system of claim 8, further comprising a
block secured to the bottom panel and the shipping rail, said block
further defining the first passageway.
10. The low-profile shipping system of claim 9, further comprising
a second block secured to the bottom panel and the shipping rail,
said second block further defining the second passageway.
11. The low-profile shipping system of claim 9, wherein the first
passageway and the second passageway are both positioned within 4
inches from a bottom surface of the shipping crate.
12. The low-profile shipping system of claim 7, wherein the
shipping crate is further configured to enclose a magnet of a
magnetic resonance imaging system.
13. A low-profile shipping system for shipping an object without a
pallet comprising: a shipping crate configured to substantially
enclose the object being shipped, said shipping crate comprising: a
generally rectangular bottom panel; a first pair of spacers
attached to the bottom panel; a second pair of spacers attached to
the bottom panel; a first block attached to the first pair of
spacers, said first block and said first pair of spacers
collectively defining a first passageway; a second block attached
to the second pair of spacers, said second block and said second
pair of spacers collectively defining a second passageway, wherein
said first passageway and the second passageway are both adapted to
receive a fork from a forklift; and a shipping rail attached to
both the first block and the second block, said shipping rail being
adapted to be attached to the object being shipped.
14. The low-profile shipping system of claim 13, further comprising
a third block attached to the first pair of spacers and a fourth
block attached to the second pair of spacers.
15. The low-profile shipping system of claim 14, further comprising
a second shipping rail attached to both the third block and the
fourth block, said second shipping rail being adapted to be
attached to the object being shipped.
16. The low-profile shipping system of claim 15, wherein the first
shipping rail and the second shipping rail are both adapted to
transfer the weight of the object and the shipping crate to the
forklift while the low-profile shipping system is being transported
by the forklift.
17. The low-profile shipping system of claim 13, further comprising
a front panel attached to the bottom panel, said front panel shaped
to define a first pair of ports, wherein one of said first pair of
ports is aligned with the first passageway and the other of said
first pair of ports is aligned with the second passageway.
18. The low-profile shipping system of claim 16, further comprising
a rear panel attached to the bottom panel, said rear panel shaped
to define a second pair of ports, wherein one of said second pair
of ports is aligned with the first passageway and the other of said
second pair of ports is aligned with the second passageway.
19. The low-profile shipping system of claim 16, wherein the first
block is mounted to at least one of the first pair of spacers via a
plate that allows for adjustment in a vertical direction.
20. The low-profile shipping system of claim 13, wherein the bottom
panel defines an opening that is adapted to receive a securing
member for the purpose of connecting the shipping rail or the
object directly to a vehicle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a low-profile shipping
system for transporting large heavy objects without the use of a
pallet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, large heavy objects, such as superconducting
magnets, are transported in crates that have either external
integrated pallets or are set on pallets. The pallets provide a
stiff platform suitable for lifting the heavy object and the
pallets are also used to secure the crate during transportation. It
is typically necessary to use a thick pallet when moving a heavy
object to ensure that the pallet has enough stiffness and strength
to support the heavy object and the crate. For example, a typical
pallet used to transport a superconducting magnet may be 6 to 8
inches in thickness.
[0003] There are several problems with using a conventional crate
and pallet to ship large heavy objects. Since the pallet is
necessary to both move and secure the crated object, the thickness
of the pallet poses an issue at every step of the transportation
process. For example, when shipping large heavy objects by air the
cargo aircraft has fixed dimensions. If the combination of the
pallet and crate exceed the available height of the aircraft, then
a larger aircraft or an alternate method of transportation must be
used. Additionally, not all airports can handle the large aircraft.
Therefore, additional shipping methods, such as truck or rail, must
be used to get the object to its final destination. The need to use
large aircraft for transportation adds both to the transportation
costs and to the total time to deliver the object. In the case of a
superconducting magnet, the additional shipping time results in
additional cost due to the increased boil-off of the liquid
cryogen, such as liquid helium, used to cool the magnet. It is much
cheaper to fill a superconducting magnet with liquid helium at the
manufacturer's facility as opposed to at the installation site.
Therefore, increasing the transportation time for certain goods,
such as superconducting magnets, may result in substantially higher
costs. For these and other reasons, there is a need for a new
low-profile shipping system for the transportation of large heavy
objects such as superconducting magnets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems
are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and
understanding the following specification.
[0005] In an embodiment, a low-profile shipping system for shipping
an object without a pallet includes a shipping crate configured to
surround the object being shipped. The shipping crate includes a
front panel shaped to at least partially define a first pair of
ports that are adapted to receive a fork from a forklift. The
shipping crate also includes a rear panel shaped to at least
partially define a second pair of ports adapted to receive the fork
from the forklift. The low-profile shipping system also includes a
shipping rail attached to the inside of the shipping crate. The
shipping rail is adapted for attachment to the object being
shipped.
[0006] In an embodiment, a low-profile shipping system for shipping
an object without a pallet includes a shipping crate configured to
substantially enclose the object being shipped. The shipping crate
is shaped to define a first passageway and a second passageway. The
first passageway and the second passageway are adapted to receive a
fork of a forklift. The low-profile shipping system also includes a
shipping rail attached to the inside of the shipping crate at a
location above the first passageway and the second passageway. The
shipping rail is adapted to support the weight of the object and
the shipping crate while the object is being transported by the
forklift.
[0007] In another embodiment, a low-profile shipping system for
shipping an object without a pallet includes a shipping crate
configured to substantially enclose the object being shipped. The
shipping crate includes a generally rectangular bottom panel. The
shipping crate includes a first pair of spacers attached to the
bottom panel and a second pair of spacers attached to the bottom
panel. The shipping crate includes a first block attached to the
first pair of spacers. The first block and the first pair of
spacers collectively define a first passageway. The shipping crate
includes a second block attached to the second pair of spacers. The
second block and the second pair of spacers collectively define a
second passageway. The first passageway and the second passageway
are both adapted to receive a fork from a forklift. The low-profile
shipping system also includes a shipping rail attached to both the
first block and the second block. The first shipping rail is
adapted to be attached to the object being shipped.
[0008] Various other features, objects, and advantages of the
invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from
the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a low-profile
shipping system in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a perspective view
of a low-profile shipping system in accordance with an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the
scope of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a low-profile
shipping system 10 in accordance with an embodiment. The low
profile shipping system 10 includes a shipping crate 11 and one or
more shipping rails (36, 38) (shown in FIG. 2). The shipping rails
(36, 38) will be described in more detail hereinafter. The shipping
crate 11 includes a bottom panel 12, a top panel 14, a front panel
16, a rear panel 18 (shown in FIG. 2), a first side panel 20, and a
second side panel 22. The front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the
first side panel 20 and the second side panel 22 may all be
attached to the bottom panel 12 in a substantially perpendicular
manner. The shipping crate 11 may be made from plywood reinforced
with 2.times.4s according to an embodiment. The shipping crate 11
may be constructed from different materials according to other
embodiments. The bottom panel 12 is generally rectangular in shape
according to an embodiment. The bottom panel 12 may be shaped to
have a plurality of openings 13. Each of the plurality of openings
13 is adapted to allow the passage of a securing member, such as a
cable or a strap, from either the one or more shipping rails (36,
38) or from the heavy object being transported directly to the
vehicle used for transporting the heavy object. According to an
embodiment, there may be two openings on the side of the bottom
panel 12 that is adjacent to the front panel 16 and two openings on
the side of the bottom panel 12 that is adjacent to the rear panel
18. According to other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of
openings adapted to pass a securing member may be located on the
front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the first side panel 20 or the
second side panel 22.
[0013] The front panel 16 may be shaped to partially define a first
pair of ports 23. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
bottom panel 12 is also shaped so as to help define the first pair
of ports 23. The rear panel 18 (shown in FIG. 2) is shaped so as to
define a second pair of ports 25 (shown in FIG. 2). A first
passageway 26 is defined between one of the first pair of ports 23
and one of the second pair of ports 25. A second passageway 28 is
defined between the other of the first pair of ports 23 and the
other of the second pair of ports 25. The first passageway 26 and
the second passageway 28 pass completely through the shipping crate
11 according to an embodiment. The first passageway 26 and the
second passageway 28 are both positioned within 4 inches from a
bottom surface 30 of the low-profile shipping system 10 according
to an embodiment. According to other embodiments, the first
passageway 26 and the second passageway 28 may be positioned at
higher locations on the shipping crate. The first passageway 26 and
the second passageway 28 are both configured to receive a fork from
a forklift in order to move the low-profile shipping system 10.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a perspective view
of the low-profile shipping system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Common
reference numbers will be used between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In order
to better illustrate the interior of the low-profile shipping
system 10, FIG. 2 shows the low-profile shipping system 10 without
the front panel 16 (shown in FIG. 1). It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art, that the low-profile shipping system 10
will include a front panel 16 according to most embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the construction of the
low-profile shipping system 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
The first side panel 20 may have a top surface 32 that is not
parallel to the bottom surface 34. For example, the top surface 32
may be angled or curved so as to more closely conform to the object
being transported in the low-profile shipping system 10. The second
side panel 22 may have a top surface that is the same shape as the
top surface 32 of the first side panel 20.
[0016] The low-profile shipping system 10 also includes a first
shipping rail 36 and a second shipping rail 38. The low-profile
shipping system 10 may also include a first block 39, a second
block 40, a third block 41, and a fourth block 42. The first block
39 and the third block 41 are attached to a first pair of spacers
43. The second block 40 and the fourth block 42 are attached to a
second pair of spacers 44. In accordance with an embodiment, the
first pair of spacers 43 are attached to the bottom panel 12. The
first block 39 is attached to one of the first pair of spacers 43
via a plate 45. The plate 45 allows for a user to easily adjust the
height of the block, and therefore the first rail 36, with respect
to the bottom panel 12. The second block 40, the third block 41,
and the fourth block 42 may also be mounted with a plate in a
manner similar to that described for the first block 39. According
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the blocks (39, 40, 41, 42) use
a plate, such as the plate 45, for mounting on one side and are
mounted to either the first side panel 20 or the second side panel
22 on the other side.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first pair of spacers
43, the first block 39 and the third block 41 further define the
first passageway 26. The first passageway 26 passes all the way
through the shipping crate 11. The second pair of spacers 44, the
second block 40, and the fourth block 42 further define the second
passageway 28, which also passes all the way through the shipping
crate 11. According to an embodiment, the first pair of ports 23
(shown in FIG. 1), the second pair of ports 25 and the blocks (39,
40, 41, 42) may all help define a passageway with a generally
constant height and width. However, according to other embodiments,
the height and width of the passageway may be variable. For
example, the height and width of the first pair of ports 23 and the
second pair of ports 25 may be greater than the height defined by
the blocks (39, 40, 41, 42). In other words, the first pair of
ports 23 and the second pair of ports 25 may define a larger
opening than that defined by the blocks (39, 40, 41, 42). The
passageways (26, 28) pass all the way through the shipping crate 11
in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] According to an embodiment, the first shipping rail 36 and
the second shipping rail 38 may each be made from steel. The
shipping rails (36, 38) shown in FIG. 2 are L-shaped in
cross-section, but materials with different cross-sections may also
be used. The shipping rails (36, 38) are configured to be attached
to an object (not shown) that is to be shipped using the
low-profile shipping system 10. The shipping rails (36, 38) are
adapted to be rigidly attached to the object such as by bolts
through a plurality of bolt holes 46. As discussed previously, it
may be advantageous to first bolt the first shipping rail 36 and
the second shipping rail 38 to the object and then to secure the
shipping rails (36, 38) to the bottom panel 12 by way of one or
more plates 45 and spacers (43, 44). According to other
embodiments, the shipping rails (36, 38) may connect to a different
portion of the shipping crate 11. For example, the shipping rails
(36, 38) may connect to one or more of the bottom panel 12, the
front panel 16, the rear panel 18, or the top panel 14.
[0019] As was previously discussed, the plurality of openings 13
are adapted to allow a securing member (not shown) such as a cable
or strap to pass through. The plurality of openings 13 allow the
securing member (not shown) to secure the shipping rails (36, 38)
or the heavy object directly to the bed of a vehicle used for
transportation. For example, by running the securing member from
either the first shipping rail 36 or the second shipping rail 38
directly to the vehicle, both the object and the low-profile
shipping system 10 may be attached to the transportation vehicle
with greater security. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that securing the object to a vehicle via a shipping rail is much
more secure than packing the object in a conventional crate,
securing the crate to a pallet, and then attaching the pallet to
the vehicle via straps. By attaching the object via the shipping
rails (36, 38) the object is much less likely to move around and
put additional strain on the shipping crate 11.
[0020] Referring now to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as previously
described, the first passageway 26 and the second passageway 28 are
both shaped to receive the fork of a fork lift. Once the fork of
the forklift is inserted into the first passageway 26 and the
second passageway 28, the blocks (39, 40, 41, 42) provide a load
path to the shipping rails (36, 38). According to an embodiment,
the shipping rails (36, 38) are long enough to at least partially
overlap the first passageway 26 and the second passageway 28. This
helps to transfer the weight of the object (not shown) from the
shipping rails (36, 38) to the fork of the forklift. Since the
low-profile shipping system 10 is shaped to define two passageways
(26, 28) and because the shipping rails (36, 38) support the weight
of the object, it is not necessary to use a pallet when using the
low-profile shipping system 10 to transport the object.
[0021] According to an embodiment, the low-profile shipping system
10 may be used to transport a superconducting magnet for a magnetic
resonance imaging system. The low-profile shipping system 10 does
not require the use of a pallet and, therefore allows for a
significantly lower overall height. For example, an exemplary
magnet that may be shipped using the low-profile shipping system 10
weighs approximately 13 tons and is 93 inches tall. According to an
embodiment, the low-profile shipping system 10 used to transport
the exemplary superconducting magnet may be 96 inches tall. If the
exemplary magnet were shipping in a conventional crate with a
pallet, the total height of the pallet and the shipping crate would
be around 110 inches tall. The lower overall height of the
low-profile shipping system 10 allows the object to be transported
in a wider variety of vehicles, which can save a significant amount
of money on transportation costs. Additionally, it is logistically
much easier to move a crate that does not require the use of
oversized vehicle for transportation. According to the example of a
magnet for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the magnet is
typically filled with an expensive cryogen, such as liquid helium.
Liquid helium has a low boiling point, and tends to evaporate very
quickly. If the transportation of a superconducting magnet takes
too long, then significant amounts of liquid helium will boil off
and require expensive replacement. Therefore, the low-profile
shipping crate has the potential to offer considerable savings when
used for the shipping of superconducting magnets. It should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the low-profile
shipping system 10 may be adapted to transport objects other than
superconducting magnets. Any object with enough structural
integrity to be supported by one or more shipping rails (36, 38)
may be transported with the low-profile shipping system 10.
However, the low-profile shipping system 10 may prove especially
useful for the transportation of objects that are on the verge of
being oversized and/or those objects that would be significantly
less expensive to transport if they were crated in a manner that
was shorter than the combination of a conventional crate and a
pallet.
[0022] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
* * * * *