AU2006203185A1

AU2006203185A1 - Transport Frame for A Container

Info

Publication number: AU2006203185A1
Application number: AU2006203185A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Xinlin Lu; Xiong Zhao; Jianbin Zhu
Original assignee: China International Marine Containers Group Co Ltd; Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co Ltd
Current assignee: China International Marine Containers Group Co Ltd; Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-26
Filing date: 2006-07-26
Publication date: 2007-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-26
Also published as: DE102006034352A1; CN2813517Y; AU2006203185B2; DE102006034352B4

Description

_11: P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors Address for service is: China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd.

Xiong ZHAO; Xinlin LU; and Jianbin ZHU WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Transport Frame for A Container" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Transport frame for A Container" Field of the Invention

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The present invention relates to a tool assisting for transportation. The invention oo is particularly concerned with a transport frame for container and more t' 5 particularly a container larger than an ISO container. The invention also relates Sto a container.

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SBackground of the Invention Generally, container comprises a base, a roof, two end portions, and two side portions, wherein each one of the end and side portions can be a fixed wall or a rotatable door. As have been used for loading various kinds of cargoes, containers may be carried to various countries based on the different requirements of transportation, and may be applied in multi-transportation modes, i.e. by marine, land carriage, and air-ferry. Therefore, the designers have to consider not only lifting the container but also ensuring the container to be reliably fixed during the transportation so as to avoid various kinds of risks.

Under this background, a series of international standards on container are stipulated, for instance, the 1AAA standard and 1BBB standard for the size of container. Although the containers length and height may vary according to the different international standards, its width is always about 8 feet (2438mm) while the centre distance between two corner fittings disposed on the corners of the container alone the width direction is always about 2259mm. In general, corner fittings are mounted at four top comers and four bottom corners of the container respectively. Four corner fittings mounted at the bottom part are used for stacking up the containers, while another four corner fittings mounted at the top part are used for both stacking and lifting. FIG. 1 shows plurality of ISO containers 10 being stacked. As all the length, width and height of each container 10 are of standard size, the four top comer fittings 12 of the container in the first layer L1 are aligned with the four bottom corner fittings 14 of the container 10 in the second layer L2, respectively. Thus it is convenient to provide a locking member in the cavity formed by each pair of the corner fittings 12 and -3- S14, so as to stack the container 10 of the second layer on the one of the first layer and fix them together. Meanwhile, it can be effectively realized that the containers are fixed on a ship or a special transport vehicle during transportation N through the bottom comer fittings 14 of the container 10 of the first layer.

However, some special containers 20 with larger overall size or without corner 00 fittings also have been widely used, as shown in FIG. 2. The length, width or 0 height of these big containers 20 all exceeds that of the international standard. In

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Ione hand, there is no proper lifting device for lifting the big containers 20, and in 0the other hand, there is no special securing tool for fixing these containers on a ship. Therefore, these big containers 20 are usually be conveyed by bulk ships which have to be technically transformed to be suitable for the big containers.

This leads to an increased cost. Especially for those wider containers, usage efficiency of the shipping space is very low because of the requirement for space-distribution during transport. In addition, since there are no suitable positions in the big container for being used to fix and stack these containers, it is more difficult for these containers to be lifted, stacked and/or fixed. And the difficulty of positioning these containers shall lead to poor security and high cost during the transportation.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge anywhere in the world as at the priority date of the application.

There is a need for a transport frame for containers, particularly big containers to ease the conveying trouble of non-standard containers, especially of those wider containers.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a transport frame for a container comprising a frame structure adapted to be positioned around the -4- Scontainer, the frame structure comprising an upper beam and a lower beam, each beam being provided with at least two stacking and positioning fittings.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a transport frame for a container larger than an ISO container comprising a pair of posts paralleled to two side portions of the container respectively; a first transverse beam 00 paralleled to the roof of the container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm; and a Isecond transverse beam paralleled to the base of the big container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259 mm.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provide a container larger than an ISO container. The container may comprise a base; a roof; two end portions; and two side portions, wherein at least one transport frame is mounted on the outer side of the container. The transport frame may comprise a pair of posts paralleled to the two side portions of the big container respectively; a first transverse beam provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm; and a second transverse beam paralleled to the base of the big container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259 mm.

Preferably, two transport frames can be disposed along the length direction of the big container. Further, the center distance between the two frames is preferably about 11985 mm or 5853 mm.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by making reference to the appended drawings so that the above technical project and other advantages of the present invention will be more obvious.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the stacking manner of ISO containers in prior art; 6 FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the stacking manner of big containers in prior art; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transport frame for the big container according to an embodiment of the invention, showing two stacking and positioning fittings disposed on a first and second transverse beams respectively; 00 OFIG. 4 is an expanded perspective view of the stacking and positioning fitting I disposed on the first transverse beam according to an embodiment of the invention; Sinvention; FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the stacking and positioning fitting of the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the cooperation of the transport frame of the invention with the big container; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the transport frame of according to the invention, showing three stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the second transverse beam; FIG. 8A is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the transport frame of the invention, showing two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the second transverse beam; FIG. 8B is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the transport frame of the invention, showing two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the second transverse beam symmetrically; FIGS. 9A to 9C are schematic views showing the big containers with the transport frames of the invention stacking on the ISO containers; FIG. 10A is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the transport frame of the invention, showing three stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the first transverse beam; -6- FIG. 10B is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the transport frame of the invention, showing two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the first transverse beam symmetrically;

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FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic views showing the ISO containers stacking on 5 big containers with the transport frames of the invention; o00 FIG. 11D is a schematic view showing the stacking between the big containers INC with the transport frames of the invention; FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the transport frame of the invention, showing flanges disposed on the transverse beams; and FIGS. 13A to 13C are schematic views showing the big containers with the transport frames of the invention stacking on the ISO containers in length direction.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transport frame according to the invention. The transport frame 30 is a rectangular frame and can be disposed on the outer side of a big container. The transport frame 30 comprises a pair of posts 32; a first transverse beam 34 having two stacking and positioning fittings 35a and 35b with a center distance of about 2259mm which adapt to the standard lifting device (not shown) or the bottom corner fittings (not shown) of the ISO container; and a second transverse beam 36 having two stacking and positioning fittings 37a and 37b with a center distance of about 2259mm which adapt to the top corner fittings (not shown) of the ISO container. Furthermore, the stacking and positioning fittings 35a and 35b on the first transverse beam 34 are disposed symmetrically, while the stacking and positioning fittings 37a and 37b on the second transverse beam 36 are biased, for instance, the positioning fitting 37b is disposed at one end of the beam 36. However, the FIG. 3 is only schematically, it should be understood that the stacking and positioning fittings on the first beam -7- 34 and the second beam 36 may vary their positions as required, for instance the stacking and positioning fittings on the first transverse beam 34 may be biased, while the stacking and positioning fittings on the second transverse beam 36 may

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N, be disposed symmetrically.

V) 5 Referring to FIG. 4, the stacking and positioning fitting 35 is provided with a 00 oo cavity 351 inside, and an opening 352 on the top of the fitting communicated with Sthe cavity 351. During stacking, a positioning member (not shown) can pass INO through the opening 352 and be restricted within the cavity 351. Preferably, Sanother opening 353 is provided on the side wall of the stacking and positioning fitting 35 communicated with the cavity 351, so that the stacking and positioning fitting 35, such as 35a and 35b in FIG. 3, disposed on the first transverse beam can also be used for lifting operation. Thus the lifting device (not shown) can be applied conveniently through the two openings 352 and 353 communicated with the cavity 351 respectively.

The structure of the stacking and positioning fitting, such as the fitting 37a or 37b, disposed on the second transverse beam 36 are generally the same as the structure of the stacking and positioning fitting 35 disposed on the first transverse beam 34. Since the stacking and positioning fitting on the second transverse beam 36 does not join in the lifting work, it is enough to provide just one opening on the bottom of the fitting.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the stacking and positioning fitting of the invention, wherein the stacking and positioning fitting 35' is disposed on the first transverse beam 34 as an example. However, it should be understood that the fitting 35' also could be disposed on the second transverse beam. The stacking and positioning fitting 35' in FIG. 5 comprises a cut-out 354 disposed on the transverse beam 34 and a fitting plate 355 covering the cut-out 354, wherein a hole 356 is provided on the fitting plate 355. During stacking, the positioning member (not shown) can pass through the hole 356 and be retained in the cutout 354. Further, the cut-out 354 allows the stacking and positioning fitting 35' of the invention to be suitable for lifting work.

-8- In general, the big container 20 exceeds the international standard not only in width but also in length. Thus, in order to make these big containers be stacked with the ISO containers, preferably, the big container should have two transport Sframes 30 according to the present invention at a predetermined interval along the length direction of the big container 20, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the interval can be about 11985 mm or 5853 mm, i.e. being equal to the length of the oo ISO container.

IDIn practice, the transport frame according to the present invention may have a Snumber of embodiments as required. FIG. 7 shows a transport frame according to the present invention, comprising a pair of posts 42; a first transverse beam 44 and a second transverse beam 46. Two stacking and positioning fittings 45a and 45b are disposed on the first transverse beam 44, a center distance of which is about 2259mm. Being different from the transport frame 30, three stacking and positioning fittings 48a, 48b and 48c are disposed on the second transverse beam, wherein the fittings 48a and 48c are respectively disposed at both ends of the second transverse beam 46.

Obviously, the center distance between fittings 48b and 48c should be about 2259 mm.

Further, two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings may be disposed on the second transverse beam according to the invention. Referring to FIG. 8A, four stacking and positioning fittings 58a, 58b, 58c and 58d are provided on the second transverse beam 56 of the transport frame 50 mounted on the outer side of the big container 20, wherein one pair of stacking and positioning fittings, for instance fittings 58a and 58d, are respectively disposed at both ends of the second transverse beam 56. The center distance between the stacking and positioning fitting 58b and the fitting disposed on one end of the beam 56, such as the fitting 58d, as well as the center distance between the fitting 58c and the fitting disposed on the other end of the beam 56, such as fitting 58a, shall respectively maintain about 2259mm. Referring to FIG. 8B, the transport frame 60 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein four stacking and positioning fittings 68a, 68b, 68c and 68d are disposed on the second transverse beam 66, wherein one pair of stacking and positioning fittings, for instance 68a -9and 68d, are respectively disposed at both ends of the second transverse beam 66, while the other pair of stacking and positioning fittings, for instance 68b and 68c, are disposed symmetrically and maintain a center distance of about c 2259 mm.

5 The big container equipped with the transport frame according to the present 00 o invention can be widely applied due to its above-mentioned advantages. FIGS.

9A to 9C show that the big containers 20 with transport frames of the present \invention are stacked on the ISO containers 10. Since the application of the Stransport frame 30 with two stacking and positioning fittings 37a and 37b disposed on the second transverse beam 36 in bias (as FIG. 3 shows) is generally the same as the application of the transport frame 40 with three stacking and positioning fitting 48a to 48c disposed on the second transverse beam 46 (as FIG. 7 shows), herein only the transport frame 40 as an example is described. Referring to FIG. 9A, because the stacking and positioning fittings 48a and 48b with a center distance of about 2259 mm are biased, the big containers equipped with the transport frames 40 should be placed in a predetermined direction during stacking up. For instance, when two big containers 20 are stacked on ISO containers 10, at least three ISO containers 10a-10c should be provided for the purpose of stacking big containers thereon, and the two big containers 20 should be placed in a reverse way along the length direction to ensure the stacking and positioning fittings 48a and 48b of the transport frames fixed to the two big containers 20 to be aligned with the comer fittings 11 of the outmost ISO containers 10a and 10c, so as to improve the stability of the stacking.

As shown in FIG. 9B, big containers 20 are equipped with the transport frames having two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the second transverse beams, wherein each pair has a center distance of about 2259mm.

Thus the big containers 20 equipped with the transport frame 50 can be placed in any direction during stacking up. For example, when two big containers 20 are stacked on the ISO containers 10, at least three ISO containers 10 a-10 c need to be placed in the first layer, and the stacking and positioning fittings 58a and 58c of the transport frames 50 fixed on the left big container 20 can be aligned with the corner fittings 11 of the leftmost container 10a, while the stacking and positioning fittings 58b and 58d of the transport frames 50 fixed on the right big container 20 can be aligned with the corner fittings 11 of the rightmost container N 10Oc. In this case, there is no need to place the two big containers 20 in a reverse way.

00oo If the two stacking and positioning fittings 37a and 37b on the second transverse C)beam 36 of the transport frame 30 are placed symmetrically, the transport frame

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N3D 30 is generally applied in the same way as that of the transport frame 60 with C)four stacking and positioning fittings 68a-68d disposed on the second transverse beam 66, therefore only the embodiment of the transport frame 60 is described herein. As shown in FIG. 9C, when two big containers 20 with the transport frames 60 are stacked on the ISO containers, more than three, for instance five, ISO containers 10 Oa-10 Oe should be placed in the first layer to improve the stability of the stacked containers. And two big containers 20 can be stacked on the ISO containers 10 Ob and 10 Od respectively by using the stacking and positioning fittings 68b and 68c of the transport frames Furthermore, ISO containers 10 can also be stacked on big containers through the transport frames of the present invention, so that plurality of stacking and positioning fittings should be disposed on the first transverse beam of the transport frame. FIGS. 10A-10B and FIGS. 11A-11C are used to assist in description of more embodiments and applications of the first transverse beam of transport frame according to the invention. It should be understood that various modifications can be made according to the invention by combining each foregoing embodiment relating to the second transverse beam.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the transport frame 70 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. Three stacking and positioning fittings 75a, 75b and are provided on the first transverse beam 74, wherein the stacking and positioning fittings 75a and 75c are respectively disposed at both ends of the first transverse beam 74. Obviously, the center distance between the fitting 75b and one of the fittings at both ends, for instance the fitting 75a, shall maintain about 2259 mm.

-11 SFIG. 10B shows a transport frame 80 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Four stacking and positioning fittings 85a, 85b 85c and 85d are Sprovided on the first transverse beam 84, wherein one pair of stacking and N positioning fittings, for instance 85a and 85d, are respectively provided at both ends of the first transverse beam 84. The other pair of stacking and positioning fittings, for instance the fittings 85b and 85c, are provided symmetrically, the 00 center distance between which is about 2259 mm.

IDIn accordance with the transport frame of the invention, the stacking and Spositioning fittings on the first transverse beam can be used not only for lifting, but also for stacking. As shown in FIG. 11A, stacking and positioning fittings and 65b with a center distance of about 2259 mm are disposed on the first transverse beam 64 of the transport frame 60. The ISO container 10 can be stacked directly on the stacking and positioning fittings through its corner fittings 11. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11B, the ISO container 10 can be stacked on the big containers 20 having transport frame 80 through the positioning fittings and 85c of the first transverse beam 84. As shown in FIG. 11C, the ISO container 10 can be also stacked on the big containers 20 having the transport frames 70 through the stacking and positioning fittings 75b and 75c of the first transverse beam. It should be appreciated that the length and width of the big container 20 generally exceed those of the ISO container 10, so that one ISO container 10 can be stacked onto one big container 20 in a stable manner.

Preferably, the stacking and positioning fittings are disposed on both ends of the first transverse beam as well as the second transverse beam of the transport frame according to the invention, thus the stacking between the big containers of the same kind can be realized. As shown in FIG. 11D, big containers 20c and with transport frames 90 still can be also stacked on the big containers and 20b after the big containers 20a and 20b with transport frames 90 being stacked on three ISO containers 10. At this time, the stacking and positioning fittings 95a and 95d at both ends of the first transverse beam 94 of the transport frame 90 fixed to the big container 20a/20b are aligned respectively with the positioning fittings 98a and 98d at both ends of the second transverse beam 96 -12of the transport frame 90 fixed to the big container 20c/20d for stacking and positioning.

\To ensure the stability and reliability, the transport frame and the big containers according to the invention can be connected by partly welding or bolting. For example, the transport frame of the invention can be fixed to the big container in 00oo such a manner that the first transverse beam can be firstly assembled with the O big container after being mounted with the two posts by welding, then the second

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IND transverse beam can be welded with the posts. Alternatively, referring to the C)transport frame 40 in FIG. 12, pairs of flanges can be also provided on the transverse beams. The flanges are fixed to each other by bolts to allow the transport frame to be installed and/or detached conveniently. According to the invention, the first transverse beam can be divided into two segments 44a and 44b, while the second transverse beam can be also divided into two segments 46a and 46b. Each divided segment of the transverse beam is welded with the post at first. Then, the transport frame of the invention can be mounted on the big container by fixing each pair of the flanges 49 together through bolts further on.

In order to stack big containers with ISO containers and save the transportation space at the same time, how to provide the transport frames of the invention along the length direction of the big container is an aspect need to be considered. As shown in FIG. 13A, the transport frames 30 can be disposed symmetrically and maintain a center distance according to the ISO if the big container 20 is far longer than the ISO container 10 so as to ensure the pressure from the container in upper layer to be distributed uniformly on the ISO container in the lower layer. As shown in FIG. 13B, one of the two transport frames can be disposed at one end of the big container 20 if the big container 20 is a little longer than the ISO container. Referring to FIG. 13C, each big container can be provided with only one transport frame 30 if the big container 20 is shorter than the ISO container. The two big containers 20 can be stacked onto the ISO container 10 in a manner of that the stacking and positioning fittings of each frame 30 are respectively aligned to the corner fittings of ISO container.

-13- In a word, the big containers can be stacked on the ISO containers by properly adjusting positions of the stacking and positioning fittings on the second transverse beam according to the width of the ISO container. Further, the ISO N containers can be also stacked on the big containers by setting the stacking and positioning fittings at proper positions on the first transverse beam. Moreover the big container can be stacked on one another by setting the stacking and 00 Cpositioning fittings at both ends of the first transverse beam and the second C)transverse beam. Therefore, according to the invention, it is unnecessary to

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Imodify the container ship for carrying the big containers in batch. Further, the c 10 upper space of the ship can be also used efficiently for transporting the big containers. Thereby, the transport cost will be cut down. The transport frames with the stacking and positioning fittings can be easily detached once the big containers reach the destination. The detached frames may be reused after being partly modified.

Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention may be used with other configurations. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the present invention could have many other embodiments, and changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A transport frame for a container comprising a frame structure adapted to be positioned around the container, the frame structure comprising an upper beam and a lower beam, each beam being provided with at least two 00oo 5 stacking and positioning fittings C 2. A transport frame for a container larger than the ISO container, comprising INO c a pair of posts, paralleled to two side portions of the big container respectively; a first transverse beam, paralleled to the roof of the container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm; and a second transverse beam, paralleled to the base of the container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm.

3. The transport frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein three stacking and positioning fittings are disposed on the second transverse beam, two of which are respectively disposed at both ends of the second transverse beam.

4. The transport frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two pairs of stacking and positioning fittings are disposed on the second transverse beam, one pair of which are respectively disposed at both ends of the second transverse beam. The transport frame according to claim 4, wherein the other pair of stacking and positioning fittings are disposed symmetrically, the center distance between which is about 2259mm.

6. The transport frame according to claim 4, wherein the center distance between each of the other pair of stacking and positioning fittings and one of the stacking and positioning fittings disposed on both ends of the second c transverse beam is about 2259 mm. n 5 7. The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 00oo the pair of stacking and positioning fittings on the first transverse beam are O disposed symmetrically. (N

8. The transport frame according to claim 7, wherein an additional pair of stacking and positioning fittings are further provided on both ends of the first transverse beam, respectively.

9. The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are three stacking and positioning fittings disposed on the first transverse beam, two of said three fittings are respectively disposed at both ends of the first transverse beam.

10. The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stacking and positioning fitting has a cavity inside, on which an opening communicated with the cavity is provided.

11. The transport frame according to claim 10, wherein the opening is disposed on the bottom of the fitting of the second transverse beam.

12. The transport frame according to claim 10, wherein the opening is disposed on the top of the fitting of the first transverse beam.

13. The transport frame according to claim 12, wherein an additional opening communicated with the cavity is further provided on a side of the stacking and positioning fitting.

14. The transport frame according to any one of claims 9, wherein the stacking and positioning fitting comprises -16- a cut-out disposed on the transverse beam; and a fitting plate with a hole for covering the cut-out. (N The transport frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport frame can be connected by at least one pair of flanges 00oo disposed on at least one of the first and the second transverse beams. (Ni ID16. A container larger than the ISO container, comprising a base; a roof; two end portions; and two side portions, wherein at least one transport frame is mounted on the outer side of the container, comprising a pair of posts paralleled to the two side portions of the container respectively; a first transverse beam paralleled to the roof of the container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm; and a second transverse beam paralleled to the base of the container and provided with at least one pair of stacking and positioning fittings with a center distance of about 2259mm.

17. The container according to claim 15, wherein two transport frames are mounted on the outer side of the container along the length direction. -17- NO

18. The container according to claim 16, wherein the center distance between the two transport frames is about 11985 mm. \119. The container according to claim 16, wherein the center distance between the two transport frames is about 5853 mm. oo 00

20. A container, comprising (Ni INO a base; a roof; two end portions; and two side portions, wherein at least one transport frame is mounted on the outer side of the container, and wherein the transport frame is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to

21. A transport frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A container according to claim 16 or 20 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this twenty sixth day of July 2006. China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd. Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicants