AU2008201275A1 - Coil carrier for transport/containerization - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent Coil Carrier for Transport/Containerization The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Coil Carrier for Transport/Containerization This invention relates to equipment for materials handling. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses an improved carrier for the transport of bore horizontal steel cores in containers. Horizontal steel cores are normally carried using timber pallets which are then wedged in the container using a significant amount of timber sections to prevent product movement during shipping. This current method of handling and securing the cores is not effective as indicated by the damage in shipping from Japan to Australia of 6 - 7 % PA. Apart from the high cost of damage to the steel product, the current method is a high cost operation as it is very labour intensive both during the loading and unloading operations. All timber must be fumigated and there is additional cost of removal and disposing of the timber at the receiving end of the shipment and thus creating an environmental problem. It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a core carrier is disclosed of the type for carrying of bore horizontal steel cores in containers where steel cores are contained within a welded steel frame and the core is secured to the frame using over core and through the centre bore webbing strapping or similar securing devices, said frame is of metal construction including at least two primary bearers, at least two secondary bearers and at least two core bearers, attached to the ends of the two outer primary bearers are verticals containing on the upper end locating feet sections for stackability and transportation of empty carriers, the width dimension of the carrier is such that the carrier fits snug within the width of the container, and the two inner primary bearers house an adjustable outrigger assembly, which are secured in position by locking pins thus providing a snug fit of 2 or 3 carriers within a 20 foot container for example, the replaceable coil pads contain an anti-slip material, and optional feet with anti-slip can be secured to the underside of primary bearers where carriers are lifted into position in the container, rather than place and pushed. -2- Preferably there is a replaceable core bearer pad which is covered wholly or in part by a non-slip agent to inhibit movement of said core in the carrier. It is further preferred that the primary bearers include anti-skid material on the bottom surfaces thereof to inhibit shifting of the loaded core carrier when in the container or on a transport vehicle. It is further preferred that the said core carrier be of welded steel construction. One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached diagrams in which: Figure 1 is a perspective of the carrier looking down from above the carrier. Figure 2 is a perspective of the side view of the carrier of figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective of the front view of the carrier. Figure 4 is a perspective the angle view of the carrier Referring to the figures the carrier may comprise of a pair of, or more, parallel primary bearers lalb, and which are overlaid on the extreme ends with two parallel transverse secondary bearers 2a. Welded to the ends of the secondary bearers2a, 2b, 2c are rub rails 3 for the container walls. Whilst the invention is not limited to specific dimensions for the core carrier the primary and secondary bearers may preferably be constructed from RHS (rolled hollow section). Overlaying the secondary bearers 2a,2b,2c, are two parallel transverse steel core bearers 4 each positioned equidistant either side of the centre of the secondary bearers 2a,2b,2c. Three equally spaced inner secondary bearers 2b, 2c and the outer secondary bearers 2a are overlaid on the primary bearers and support the core bearers 4.

In accordance with this invention vertical supports 5 are welded to the end of each outer primary bearer Ia. Positioned on the top of each vertical support is a locator foot 6 Welded to each comer of the two outer secondary bearers 2a and flush with the rub rail 3 is an angle section to assist in guiding the carrier into the container. Attached to the ends of secondary bearers 2b are the over coil restraining system, and attached to the centre most point of secondary bearers 2a is the restraining system 9 for through bore restraint. The adjustable outriggers 10 arc contained within primary bearers lb and are secured in position by means of locking pin 11 Another embodiment of the invention is the preferred inclusion of an anti-slip material 12 to the foot of the primary bearers to ensure the core carrier does not move in the container or on a vehicle tray when in transit. Anti-slip material is used on the upper surface of the replaceable core bearer pads to restrict both movement of the core and also minimize damage. When on a vehicle the core and core carrier is secured to the vehicle tray by one or more chains through the bore of the core and secured to both sides of the tray. This securing method in combination with the anti-slip material ensures there is no movement in transit. The incorporation of the locator foot 7 on the upper end of the vertical support 5 allows the stacking of a core carrier on top of another core carrier. Empty core carriers can also be multiple stacked for containerization or on a vehicle thereby reducing transportation costs and also when stored at a manufacturing site.It will be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides for a novel, cost effective, environmental friendly and useful improvement for containerization and transportation of bore horizontal steel cores. The example described will transport cores in the range of 1100mm up to 1600mm outside diameter, up to 1600mm wide with a max load of 13 tonne, and is only one preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape, configuration, number and placement of bearers, verticals and support may be changed depending on design preference or to adapt to other types of loads. -4- Whilst the core carrier described is of welded steel construction the invention extends to the use of other sufficiently strong non-timber materials. -5-

Claims (9)

1. 2. A carrier as claimed in 1, the underside of the primary bearers are of steel surface to allow pushing of the carrier into the container, or preferable anti-slip feet are attached where the carrier is placed in position in the container
2. 3. A carrier as claimed in 1, wherein the core contact surface of the replaceable core bearer pad has affixed anti-slip material
3. 4. A carrier as claimed in 1, where the primary, secondary and tertiary bearers are of rolled hollow right angled square/rectangle section material,
4. 5. A carrier as claimed in 1, having vertical supports of rolled hollow right angled square/rectangle section material welded to the outer primary bearers to which is attached foot locators for the receiving of empty carriers for multiple stacking
5. 6. A carrier as claimed in having container rub rails attached to the ends of the secondary bearers to restrict sideway movement of the carrier within the container
6. 7. A carrier as claimed in 1, having adjustable outriggers to maintain a snug fit, which allow the option of loading two or three carriers with a snug fit, depending on core mass, per 20 foot container
7. 8. A carrier as claimed in 1, having adjustable outriggers which restrict the forward/backward movement of the carriers in the container,
8. 9. A carrier as claimed in 1, having over core, and through bore restraining mechanisms to restrain the core to the carrier
9. 10. A carrier as claimed in 1, suitable for both container and vehicle transport modes Dated this day of .- *tf4z.eN 2008 BEK Equipment Pty Ltd Edward Ernest Fairbrother -6-