U.S. patent number 3,797,691 [Application Number 05/251,969] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-19 for modular cargo container for transport vehicles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Invention is credited to John E. Williams, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,797,691 |
Williams, Jr. |
March 19, 1974 |
MODULAR CARGO CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Abstract
A container consists of a plurality of modules interconnected
one to another to form a preselected, standard size assembly to
permit the movement thereof through existing transportation systems
as a unit. Break apart features between the several modules
facilitate the handling and loading thereof at times other than
during shipment. Also each module is so constructed as to permit
folding for stacking and packing to minimize its space requirements
when empty.
Inventors: |
Williams, Jr.; John E.
(Chamblee, GA) |
Assignee: |
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
(Burbank, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22954120 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/251,969 |
Filed: |
May 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5; 206/504;
206/600; 206/596; 220/23.83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
19/16 (20130101); B65D 88/129 (20130101); B65D
88/027 (20130101); B65D 88/56 (20130101); B65D
2519/00318 (20130101); B65D 2519/00497 (20130101); B65D
2519/00731 (20130101); B65D 2519/00661 (20130101); B65D
2519/00373 (20130101); B65D 2519/00965 (20130101); B65D
2519/0096 (20130101); B65D 2519/00288 (20130101); B65D
2519/00273 (20130101); B65D 2519/00601 (20130101); B65D
2519/0091 (20130101); B65D 2519/00343 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
88/00 (20060101); B65D 88/02 (20060101); B65D
88/56 (20060101); B65D 88/12 (20060101); B65D
19/02 (20060101); B65D 19/16 (20060101); B65j
001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/1.5,4,6,23.6,23.4,23.2,23.83,97R,97C,97D ;214/10.5
;108/55 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lowrance; George E.
Assistant Examiner: Pollard; Steven M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sullivan; John J. Sullivan; George
C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A modular cargo container for transport vehicles comprising:
multiple modules of predetermined size adapted to be disposed in
abutment one with another, each of said modules being formed by a
base pallet, an upstanding, overlying cover cooperating with said
pallet to define a cargo containing area and at least one
releaseable interlocking engagement between said cover and said
pallet; and
a releaseable frame in abutment and surrounding all of said modules
when disposed in abutment as aforesaid to retain them in a single,
compact group against relative movement, said frame being disposed
adjacent said module base pallets within recesses provided therein
with the external surfaces of said frame lying in the plane of the
adjacent pallet edges and including engagement elements adapted to
cooperate with complemental elements, whereby said group may be
alternatively connected to a transport vehicle, to handling
equipment and to another modular cargo container.
2. The container of claim 1 including complementary fittings
carried by said frame and at least some of said modules adapted to
interengage when one said group is superimposed upon another with
the perimetric surfaces thereof aligned to prevent relative
movement of said groups.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein each said module fitting
includes a lug mounted on said cover for extension and retraction
therefrom and a notch in said cover to accommodate said lug when
retracted so as to occupy a position within the plane of the
external cover surface.
4. The container of claim 2 including a plurality of vertical posts
each having a length substantially equal to the aggregate height of
said superimposed groups, each of said posts defining a surface
corresponding to the adjacent perimetric surfaces aforesaid for
continuous abutment therewith; and releasable engagements between
each of said posts, said frames and the associated modules.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet is rectangular
and each said cover includes four sides interconnected one to the
next by a hinge and a lid hinged to the upper surface of one of
said sides whereby said cover may be collapsed by folding two of
said sides into abutment with each other and the lid against one of
said sides when each of said interlocking engagements is released
and the cover separated from said pallet.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet includes a
pair of sheets interconnected by spacers located at selected
intervals to establish passageways therebetween and said recesses
are formed by the adjacent surfaces of said sheets and said
spacers.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein the lower of said sheets has a
perimetric dimension less than that of the upper of said sheets and
the adjacent surface of said frame abuts the edge of said lower
sheet.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet and said frame
is rectangular and including a cross frame member releaseably
engaging opposite sides of said frame and in continuous abutment
with adjacent sides of said pallets.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein each said pallet includes a
pair of spaced interconnected sheets, the lower of which has a
perimetric dimension that is less than that of the upper of said
sheets and said cross frame member is disposed within the confines
of the adjacent upper and lower sheets.
10. The container of claim 2 wherein each said pallet is
rectangular and each said cover includes four interconnected sides
disposed vertically relative to said pallet and a lid hinged to the
upper edge of one of said sides adapted to abut the edges of the
remaining three sides, and wherein said complementary fittings
include a generally triangular plate carried by said frame at each
corner thereof having a slot and a lug carried by each said lid
corresponding in shape to said lug for insertion therein.
Description
This invention relates generally to cargo shipment including the
techniques employed to expedite such shipment and more particularly
to the handling and transporting of containerized cargo to the end
that maximum efficiency can be attained in the overall operation
and notably to minimize cost without compromising safety, damage,
or breakage.
In cargo shipment, "down time," i.e., the time during which a
vehicle is not actually in transit with payload aboard, has been
generally recognized as the costliest phase of the business.
Therefore, every effort has been made to reduce such time.
Streamline loading and unloading methods and equipment have been
developed and perfected. Schedules, routes and loads have been
preplanned in order to avoid and, to the extent possible, to
eliminate what is commonly referred to in the vernacular as
"deadheads," which means trips or partial trips without a payload
or with substantially no payload aboard.
One improvement that has been made to substantially reduce the time
required for on-and-off loading of the vehicle (usually referred to
as "vehicle turn-around time") as well as to assure maximum vehicle
loading is the containerized cargo concept. The principle
underlying this scheme is that by container loading cargo in
advance it can be readily and quickly placed on and taken off of
the vehicle. Moreover, by configuration design and size of the
container, mechanized loading systems can be provided and maximum
payloads realized. Through this advanced planning, standards are
also possible which take into consideration the entire gamut of
shipper's or transporter's operation to provide for all exigencies
and requisites.
The present invention envisions further improvements in these areas
which in simpliest terms comprise the reduction of a standard cargo
container to modular form whereby a build up of modules to a range
of standard assembly sizes and configurations is possible. When
assembled these modules constitute in effect a unitized structure
capable of withstanding all the handling and abuse to be expected
in loading and unloading operations, as well as during shipment. At
the same time, this modular assembly includes break-apart features
which permits manual handling of each module where appropriate,
avoiding a requirement for machine handling or other more elaborate
equipment.
Moreover, relatively small shippers may realize the economy of
container shipment by utilizing a single module for their goods,
when insufficient goods are available to fill a large container.
Also, socalled "break bulk" from container size to module size for
terminal delivery is accomplished within a minimum of time while
retaining completely sealed unit protection. This lends itself to
integration with conventional retail distribution systems.
To facilitate the foregoing, each module is configured to a
predetermined size and constructed of rigid sides or walls which
allow for folding when empty to permit the collapse thereof into a
substantially flat, relatively thin, rectangular package. Thus, a
minimum stacking, packing and storage area is required for each
module when not in use. Also, when unfolded or opened and during
use, these modules can abut one another, both end-to-end and
top-to-bottom, in the module build up. Additional means is provided
for the interconnection of multiple modular building ups into a
train to further facilitate the on-and off-loading as well as the
general movement and handling thereof.
With the above and other objects in view as will be apparent, this
invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement
of parts all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single basic module comprising a
bottom, load supporting pallet and a removable, overlying and
enclosing cover shown in an elevated position primarily to reveal
the engagement means therebetween to permit the assembly and
interconnection thereof, portions of corners of the cover being
broken away to show hinges which facilitate folding of the
associated sides;
FIG. 2 is a detail in perspective of the latch mechanism shown as
the connection means in FIG. 1 between the cover and pallet as well
as between the cover and its lid;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover only in the folded
condition to illustrate its compactness for packing and
storage;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a built up of several of the
modules shown in FIG. 1 into a course or tier retained by a frame
and superimposed upon another tier whereby both tiers are retained
by corner posts to form the ultimate assembly, one of the modules
in the upper tier having been removed to reveal one of the cross
frame elements employed between each of the several adjacent
modules to secure and maintain them in a structural, unitized
assembly;
FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4 to show the
construction and arrangement of a bottom corner of each lower or
first tier module and the associated side frame element which also
serves to cooperate with hold-down means carried by the vehicle
structure, such hold-down means being illustrated in phantom
lines;
FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4 to show the
construction and arrangement of the associated corners of adjacent
modules in adjacent tiers and the associated cross frame element
the module removed from FIG. 4 being illustrated in phantom
lines;
FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4 primarily
to show the construction of each cross frame element and each side
frame element and the interengagement means to maintain them in
structural assembly;
FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7 to show the
end plate secured to each cross frame element to give it structural
integrity and to carry the interengagement means for coaction with
the associated side frame element;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in perspective from below of a corner
of the frame employed to retain each tier of modules in a
rectangular configuration to show primarily the fitting employed
between each end frame element and side frame element and the
releasable engagement means carried thereby; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing several frame and pallet
assemblies stacked one upon another with multiple covers each in
the collapsed condition of FIG. 3 superimposed thereon, the entire
arrangement being retained in stack by corner posts to minimize the
required space therefor.
Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 designates a module
or basic unit as contemplated herein. This basic unit consists
primarily of two parts -- a pallet 11 and a cover 12. The pallet 11
comprises a pair of interconnected, rectangular sheets 13 and 14 of
preselected dimensions which are disposed in spaced relation one to
the other, being separated by a plurality of spacers 15 and
forming, in effect, an integral unit. The spacers 15 are so located
with respect to each other in both dimensions of the pallet 11 that
they define intervening passageways 16 adapted to receive the tines
of a conventional fork-lift mechanism customarily employed to
handle and move such pallets 11 from place to place. The marginal
edge portion of the upper sheet 13 is cut out as at 17 to provide
accommodations for complemental lugs 18 projecting from the several
sides 19 of the cover 12 as will be further explained
hereinafter.
The cover 12 (FIG. 1) consists of four sides 19 which are adapted
to be vertically disposed in relation to the pallet 11 with the
adjacent edges of each of the sides 19 incorporating corner, piano
type hinges 20 to permit the folding of the several sides 19 one
adjacent the other in collapsed condition as illustrated in FIG. 3.
At its top, the cover 12 is further provided with a closure sheet
or lid 21 which is similarly hinged as at 22 at and along one edge
so as to permit the lid 21 to swing laterally with respect to the
adjacent side 19. At and along its marginal edge portions, the lid
21 is cut out as at 17 similarly to the top sheet 13 of the pallet
11 to accommodate lugs 18 projecting from each cover side 19.
When the cover 12 overlies the pallet 11 with its adjacent sides 19
at right angles to each other and the lid 21 closed, all of the
several lugs 18 projecting from opposite ends of each side 19 are
accommodated within their respective cut outs 17 in the pallet 11
and lid 21 so as to prevent all relative lateral movement of the
entire cover assembly 12. At the same time, the cover 12 may be
readily lifted from the pallet 11 and the lid 21 may likewise be
raised with virtually no resistance.
When the cover 12 is removed from the pallet 11 and the lid 21
raised or opened, diagonally opposite corners of the cover 12 may
be moved toward one another so as to collapse into side abutting
position. The lid 21 merely folds down against and in flush
abutment with the adjacent cover side 19.
In order to secure the cover 12 in position on the pallet 11 when
assembled therewith, special latch means is provided. For this
purpose, each side 19 is provided with one or more connector
elements at its upper and lower ends. Each such connector element
may comprise a tension or toggle latch 24 mounted within a channel
25 formed or otherwise provided in the side 19. Each latch 24
includes a handle 26 connected to one end thereof by means of and
through an offset pivot 27. Thus, when the handle 26 is rotated
outwardly of the side 19, the latch 24 is extended beyond the
adjacent edge of the side 19 a distance greater than the thickness
of the top sheet 13 of the pallet 11 in one case and the lid 21 in
the other. When the handle is thereafter rotated inwardly of the
side 19 its end flange or lip 28 clampingly engages the top sheet
13 or lid 21 and thereby retains the cover 12 on the pallet 11
against substantially all vertical movement. The outer surface of
the handle 26 is recessed as at 29 so as to receive and stow the
latch 24 when the cover 12 is folded as previously described. Also,
the edge of the pallet top sheet 13 is notched as at 13' to receive
the latch 24 therein whereby the outer surface of the latch 24 lies
flush with the pallet surface.
Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, several modules 10 are shown
in side-to-side position so as to form a layer or tier of such
modules. Any number of such tiers may, in turn, be stacked, but for
purposes of illustration herein, only two such tiers are shown. In
forming each tier, a rectangular frame 30 is provided which has
side members 30' and end members 30" substantially equal in length
to the total length and width dimensions respectively of the
several modules 10 in side-to-side position.
As illustrated by way of example in FIG. 4, the modules 10 are
employed six to the tier in 2 by 3 dimensions. In transverse
section (FIGS. 5 and 6), each frame member 30' and 30" is sized so
as to be disposed in flush abutment against the under surface of
each top pallet sheet 13, the outer surface of each spacer 15, and
the upper surface of each bottom pallet sheet 14.
Also the lower pallet sheet 14 is of a slightly smaller dimension
than the upper sheet 13 thereby providing a recess to accommodate
the entire frame 30, more particularly frame members 30' and 30".
Thus the frame members 30' and 30" not only abut adjacent surfaces
of the top pallet sheet 13, spacers 15 and bottom pallet sheet 14
but also the outer edge of the bottom pallet sheet 14 so that the
outer, defining faces of the members 30' and 30" are disposed
substantially in the plane of the lower surface of the bottom
pallet sheet 14 and the outer edge of the upper pallet sheet 13
(FIG. 5). As will be seen as this description progresses, this form
of the frame 30 will provide additional structural integrity to the
ultimate, unitized assembly.
In order to further enhance the structural integrity of the
ultimate assembly, cross frames 31 are also provided between the
adjacent modules 10 of each tier. Each cross frame 31 comprises a
generally rectanguar, tubular member having a length substantially
equal to the aggregate width of adjacent modules 10, i.e., two
modules 10 in the illustrative case of FIG. 4. The transverse
dimension of each cross frame 31 is sized to be substantially equal
to the distance between the adjacent surfaces of the associated
spacer elements 15 when the adjacent upper pallet sheets 13 abut
(FIG. 6). Thus, the cross frame 31 acts to substantially fill the
space between the adjacent modules 10 defined by the adjacent
surfaces of the upper pallet sheets 13, the lower pallet sheets 14
and the spacers 15. Lateral loads as well as vertical loads imposed
on the modules 10 are thereby transferred therethrough and
distributed over the entire modular assembly.
As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each cross piece 31 is closed at
each of its ends by a plate 32 immovably secured, as for example by
rivets 33, to all sides of the cross piece 31. One or more
projections 34 are provided in each plate 32 which are adapted to
insert into complementary holes 35 which pierce the inner wall of
the side frame member 30' whereby the cross pieces 31 are locked in
position to the frame 30.
The side frame members 30' and the end frame members 30" which
comprise the frame 30 are substantially identical in section and a
corner fitting 36 is employed to connect the adjacent members 30'
and 30". Referring particularly to FIG. 9, each fitting 36 is
generally triangular with outer surfaces disposed substantially in
the planes of the adjacent surfaces of the side frame member 30' to
which it is secured at one end in any appropriate manner to
constitute, in effect, an integral part extending therefrom. At its
other end each fitting 36 is provided with a recess 29' in which is
located a latch plate 37 designed and adapted to receive the lip
28' of a latch 24' carried by the associated end frame member 30"
at the end thereof. This structure is comparable in all respects to
the side 19 and latch 24 as previously described.
Medially each fitting 36 is pierced by a slot 38 defined by at
least three sides which correspond to sides of a lug 39 carried by
each corner of each lid 21. These lugs 39 are each hinged as at 40
to the lid 21 which contains a complemental notch 41 to receive and
seat the lug 39 when inoperative. In its operative position each
lug 39 is rotated out of its notch 41 and rests on the upper
surface of the lid 21 where it aligns with and is seated within the
slot 38 of the associated fitting 36. Each upper tier of modules 10
is thereby secured to the next lower tier of modules 10 against
relative horizontal movement.
The outer sides of each fitting 36 are further provided with
removable retention studs 42 by which and through corner posts 43
secure the multiple tiers of modules 10 against relative vertical
movement. To this end each corner post 43 is pierced with a series
of holes 44 along the length thereof two of which align with the
stud openings in each fitting 36. Studs 42 when inserted in the
holes 44 thus aligned serve to retain the corner posts 43 in
position. At its upper end each post 43 terminates in a fitting 45
adapted to lie flush against the associated module lid 21. This
fitting is slotted as at 46 constituting the equivalent of the
fitting slot 38 to receive and retain the module lug 39 when
disposed in the position shown in FIG. 1.
Each side of each frame 30 includes provisions adapted to cooperate
with complemental engaging elements of structure or equipment to be
associated therewith. Illustrative of such provisions are the
various holes and/or slots 47 to accommodate accessories to be
employed in handling the modular container and/or for restraining
it when installed on the transportation vehicle. For example,
tie-down and hold-down attachments 48 or the equivalent which may
be secured to the vehicle floor F are receivable in a selected one
of these holes or slots 47 to prevent relative movement of the
installed modular container assembly in the vehicle. These slots 47
also serve as convenient means to facilitate connection of modular
containers one to the next in trains or the like, when desired.
With the several modules 10 interconnected in a frame 30 with
multiple framed modules 10 stacked in tiers as hereinabove
described to form a modular container and, where desired, with
multiple modular containers interconnected into a train, a cargo
package is provided which comprises a substantially homogeneous
type of structure capable of withstanding all required loads to be
imposed thereon during movement on and off, as well as shipment
aboard, vehicles. Moreover, in handling and movement between
destinations and the vehicle, the several assembled modules 10 are
readily broken down into individual modules 10 which permits easy
handling thereof.
When not actually being employed, these several, basic modules 10
can each be further broken down by folding into a compact,
rectangular unit (FIG. 3). The several assembled frames 30 with
pallets 11 and cross pieces 31 secured may be stacked one upon the
next and retained in assembly by corner posts 43 (FIG. 10) when
stowed or shipped requiring a minimum area. Among other things,
this permits the vehicle to transport the empty modular containers
in a reduced size cube or volume configuration thereby providing
more available cube for revenue producing cargo.
* * * * *