AU2008201601A1

AU2008201601A1 - A frame adapted to be fitted inside an outer container

Info

Publication number: AU2008201601A1
Application number: AU2008201601A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Allan Grainger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-10
Filing date: 2008-04-10
Publication date: 2009-10-29

Description

P/00/0 11 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A frame adapted to be fitted inside an outer container The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: RAK.15B 1A A Frame Adapted to be Fitted inside an Outer Container The present invention relates to a frame adapted to be fitted inside an outer container. Various types of heavy-duty storage containers are available. Such 5 containers need to be versatile and capable of securely storing items, sometimes during transportation. A type of storage container widely used in this way (especially by the US military) is commonly known as a "Quadcon" container or box. This is a heavy-duty container that is capable of withstanding use in rough situations and can often be dropped from considerable heights or 10 moved violently during transportation over uneven terrain. Such boxes are heavy and difficult to handle and need to be safely secured to avoid accidental damage or injury. The contents of Quadcon boxes are checked regularly, e.g. once every month, and moving the boxes for access and then reloading them into the container/rack is a tedious and time consuming process, and has the 15 associated risks mentioned above. Quadcon boxes commonly store several inner containers/boxes that may themselves be heavy and difficult to handle. Obviously, these inner containers also need to be secured inside the Quadcon boxes to avoid damage and safety risks. Difficulties therefore arise if the dimensions of the inner containers do not 20 match those of the Quadcon boxes. Further, although the Quadcon boxes are intended to have standard dimensions, variations, particularly on their inner surfaces, are not uncommon. As Quadcon boxes have a standard configuration (governed by an ISO standard), modifying them is undesirable and not generally allowed. In 25 particular, it is undesirable to drill holes through surfaces of the boxes, or to weld restraining hooks or the like onto them. Therefore, it can be difficult to secure smaller containers of various sizes inside Quadcon boxes.

RAK.15B 2 Embodiments of the present invention are intended -to address at least some of the problems addressed above. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a removable frame adapted to be fitted inside an outer container and to support at 5 least one inner container, the frame including a plurality of arrangements configurable to contact an inner surface of the outer container, such contact limiting movement of the frame relative to the outer container. Thus, the frame can be fitted to the outer container without requiring (permanent/invasive) modification of the outer container, 'e.g. no part of the 10 frame (or associated components) need penetrate a surface of the outer container, nor is there any need for welding or some other type of fixing that is intended to be permanent/long-term. Frictional contact can limit the relative movement. The movement-limiting arrangements may also releaseably secure the frame inside the outer container. The movement-limiting arrangements may 15 be readily removable from the outer container. For example, the movement limiting arrangements may be removed by being rotated (directly) by hand. A said movement-limiting arrangement may include a pad configured to contact an inner surface of the outer container, the position of the pad relative to the frame being adjustable. The pad may have increased frictional characteristics 20 compared with other components of the frame/outer container, e.g. it may be formed at least partially of rubber. The pad may be at least partially formed of compressible material. The pad may have an adhesive applied to it. Force exerted by the movement-limiting arrangement may maintain the contact. The position of the pad may be adjusted by means of the pad being mounted on a 25 threaded member. The frame may be assembled from a plurality of sub assemblies. At least some of the sub assemblies may include at least some of the movement-limiting RAK.15B 3 arrangements. The movement-limiting arrangements may be configured to contact an upper and/or lower inner surface of the outer container and at least one side surface of the outer container. The frame may include a first sub assembly configured to extend between 5 lower and upper surfaces (floor and ceiling) of the outer container. The first sub assembly may include at least one movement-limiting arrangement configured to contact a lower or upper surface of the outer container. The frame may include an upper sub assembly configured to fit on top of the first sub assembly. The upper sub assembly may further include at least one said movement-limiting 10 arrangement configured to contact an upper portion of at least one inner side surface of the outer container. The frame may further include a lower sub assembly configured to fit onto a lower end the first sub assembly. The lower sub assembly may further include at least one said movement-limiting arrangement configured to contact a lower 15 portion of at least one inner side surface of the outer container. The upper and/or lower sub assembly may be at least partly fitted to the first sub assembly by means of at least one readily releasable device, such as a shot bolt, that does not require routine use of a tool to lock/release. The first sub assembly may include a plurality of uprights connected 20 together by a plurality of cross-beams. There may be a pair of such connected uprights, and each said upright can be configured to be located adjacent a respective sidewall of the outer container. The upper and/or lower sub assembly may be configured to connect a said pair of connected uprights together across a width of the outer container. 25 The lower sub assembly may include at least one formation for receiving a corresponding at least one formation of another said sub assembly. The formation of the lower sub assembly may include a recess or aperture and the RAK.15B 4 formation of the other said sub assembly can include a projection. Sidewalls of the recess or aperture may be sloped. The frame may include an arrangement configured to releaseably secure the at least one inner container in the frame, e.g. a lockable (front) gate. The 5 frame may further include a shelving frame upon which a said inner container can be supported. The shelving frame may include at least one formation (e.g. a slot or aperture) configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding formation on the inner container, thereby assisting with securing the inner container within the frame. The frame can further include a dividing member. 10 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage system including at least one frame substantially as described herein and at least one inner container. The storage system may further include a said outer container. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 15 method of fitting a frame to an outer container, the frame being adapted to support at least one inner container and the method including: placing the frame inside the outer container, and adjusting a plurality of arrangements to contact an inner surface of the outer container, such contact limiting movement of the frame relative to the outer 20 container. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a device for assisting with holding an inner container within an outer container, the device including: a first engaging member for engaging a formation or portion adjacent a 25 first point of an upper surface of an inner container; a second engaging member for engaging a formation or portion adjacent another point of the upper surface of the inner container; RAK.15B 5 an arrangement for releasing the first and second engaging members. The first and second engaging members may be located adjacent generally opposite ends of an elongate member. The elongate member may be connected to a frame attached to the outer container (or 'directly to the outer 5 container). The elongate member may be pivotally connected to the frame/outer container, with pivoting movement of the elongate member resulting in disengagement of the first engaging member. The device may include a device for biasing the elongate member so that it causes the first and/or second engaging members engage the upper surface. A pivot point of the elongate 10 member may be fitted within a slot that allows longitudinal movement of the first and second members so that the second engaging member can be slid out of contact with the upper surface of the inner container. Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following 15 description. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either 20 individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature.' Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described. The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example 25 only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of the frame; RAK.15B 6 Figure 2 is a plan view of a lower sub-assembly of the frame; Figure 3 is a front view of the lower sub-assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the frame of Figure 1 fitted with an inner storage container; 5 Figure 5 is a different perspective view of the frame and container of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an inner storage container that is fitted with a plurality of further inner containers; Figure 7 is a front view of the inner containers of Figure 6 stored in an 10 outer container using the frame; Figure 8 is a front view of another arrangement of inner containers stored in the outer container using the frame. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a pair of frames, with the viewpoint being located above and to the right of the, central axes of the 15 frames. For brevity, only one of the frames (100) will be described in detail, but both frames are substantially identical. Certain features are only visible on one of the frames in the Figure, although it will be understood that they are present on both frames. In use, each of the frames can be fitted inside an outer container (not shown in Figure 1), in a back-to-back arrangement, with one of 20 the frames 100' being located at what will be referred to, for ease of reference, as the front end of the outer container and the other frame 100 being located at the rear end of the container. However, it will be understood that in some cases only one frame may be fitted inside an outer container, or frames could be arranged in an alternative manner, e.g. side-by-side. 25 The frame 100 comprises three main sub assemblies, namely a first sub assembly 102 that is connected to an upper sub assembly 104 and a lower sub assembly 106. The first sub assembly 102 comprises a set of four uprights RAK.15B 7 11 0A - 11 OD arranged to form a 4 x 4 square grid, but it will be understood that the spacing of the uprights could be modified, e.g. to form a rectangular subassembly. The pair of uprights 110A, 11OD at the left-hand side of the Figure will, in use, be fitted adjacent a left-hand inner sidewall of the outer 5 container. The pair of uprights 110B, 11OC at the right-hand side of the Figure will, in use, be fitted adjacent a right-hand inner sidewall of the outer container. The height of the uprights is normally chosen to be slightly less then the height of the space inside the outer container. The left-hand uprights 11 0A, 11 OD are connected together by means of a 10 pair of horizontal beams 112A, 112B, with a cross-beam 114 running diagonally between the two horizontal beams. The right-hand uprights 110B, 110C are connected together by a similar set of horizontal and cross-beams. As can be seen, each of the uprights 1 OA - 11 OD is of square U-shape cross-section, the side of each upright that faces an adjacent side of the other upright in its pair 15 (e.g. 11OA and 110D) being open. The ends of the horizontal beams 112 fit into these open sides and so can be connected to the inner surfaces of the uprights. The side surfaces of the uprights have a plurality of evenly-spaced apertures 111. Square shaped end panels 115 are fitted/formed at both ends of each 20 upright 110. Each lower end panel may have friction-increasing properties, e.g. it may be formed or rubber or another material that is partially rubberised, or the panels may have (removable) adhesive applied to them. Each upper end panel has fitted on its upper surface an adjustable device 116. Each device 116, in use, is adjusted to contact an inner surface of the outer container when the first 25 sub assembly 102 is fitted therein, thereby limiting or preventing relative movement of the sub assembly (and other components connected to it) and the outer container. In the example, the device 116 is an adjustable jack having a RAK.15B 8 threaded member with a frusto-conical pad 116A fitted at one end. The pad may have improved frictional properties, e.g. be formed of rubber or similar material (and therefore may also be compressible) and/or have a friction-increasing coating or adhesive applied to it. In the example the pads are all formed of 5 rubber. When rotated (by hand or using a tool), the device extends/retracts, allowing the pad 116A to come into (or break) contact with an adjacent surface. It will be understood that in other embodiments, other types of adjustable devices could be used, e.g. a slidable/telescopic mechanism that can be configured to be set at a selected length, or a removable wedge or the like. In 10 more complex embodiments, a knob arrangement or the like may be provided for adjusting more than one adjustable device at a time. The upper sub assembly 104 includes a rectangular frame comprising a pair of opposed end elongate members 120A, 120C and a pair of opposed side elongate members 120D, 120B. In the example the side elongate members 120 15 have a length sufficient to span from one end of the frame 100 to the remote end of the other frame 100'; however, it will be understood that the dimensions of the upper sub assembly could be modified so that it fits on only one of the frames (i.e. be dimensioned to correspond with the square shaped formed by the four corner uprights of the first sub assembly 102). The elongate members 120 are 20 of L-shaped cross-section. Cross beams/bars 122 extend diagonally between the side members for reinforcement. There is also a central beam 122 that extends straight between the pair of side members 120B, 120D, at a point that corresponds with the location of the uprights 110C, 110D. The central beam 124 is of square U-shape cross-section and may include a set of spaced-apart 25 apertures 125. At each corner of the upper sub assembly 104 there is a depending corner piece. (Two of these corner pieces, labelled 126A and 126B, can be RAK.1 5B 9 partially seen in Figure 1 on the (rear end) frame 100, located above its rear end uprights 11 0A, 11 OB). The corner pieces are generally L-shaped brackets, with one portion of each L-shape being in contact with and fixed to an upper portion of the adjacent upright and the other portion of the L-shape extending across 5 towards the other side of the frame, e.g. the extending portion of corner piece 126A located on the left-hand side of the frame extends towards the corresponding right-hand side corner piece 126B. Square shaped end panels can be fitted/formed at the upper and lower ends of the corner pieces. The fixed portion of each L-shape can be connected.to the upper portion 10 of its corresponding upright by means of bolts or the like (e.g. "Ny-loe" type (shake-proof) bolts) that fit through the apertures 111 in the upright and similar apertures in the corner piece (see the rear right-hand corner of the frame in Figure 5). Brackets for connecting the central beam 122 of the upper sub assembly to the uprights 11OC, 11OD in a similar manner can also be provided 15 (one such bracket 127 is partially visible at left-hand upright 11 OD in Figure 1). Projecting outwardly from the base of each corner piece 126A, 126B is a horizontal plate (such plates labelled 129A' and 129B' can be seen on the corner pieces at the front of frame 100'). Each horizontal plate 129' can include at least one aperture with which at least one corresponding shot bolt located on a front 20 gate of the first sub assembly can engage. A left-hand front gate 119 (for front end frame 100') having upper 119A and lower 119B bolts is partially shown in Figure 1. It is connected to the front of the front end upright 11 OD' by means of hinges 119C. The vertical portion of the L-shaped cross sectioned side members 120B, 25 120D include apertures through which adjusting devices 126 can be fitted. In the example, an aperture is located adjacent each portion of the side member that is adjacent an upright 110, but it will be understood that the number and RAK.15B 10 positions of the apertures/adjusting devices can be varied. The devices 126 can be adjustable jacks identical to the jacks 116 fitted on the uprights, or may be other types of adjustable devices. The adjusting devices 126 of the upper sub assembly 104 extend outwardly sideways from the side members 120B, 120D. 5 The lower sub assembly 106 of the frame 100 comprises a square shape formed by a pair of elongate end members 132A, 132B and a pair of elongate side members 130A, 130B. The square shape is dimensioned so that it generally fits within the perimeter of the notional square shape formed by the four corner uprights of the first sub assembly. Figures 2 and 3 show the lower 10 sub assembly 106 in more detail. Each side member 130 is a flat elongate bar (or track) having a generally square-shaped recesses 134 located near both its ends. The recesses 134 have sloping side walls and are dimensioned to correspond with dimensions of foot portions of a pallet, as will be described below. The recesses may be at 15 least partially lined with rubber or similar material, which helps keep the foot portion in place and also reduce vibration during transportation of the loaded frame. A stop 136 projects upwardly from the side member. 130 adjacent one of its recesses. The stop is located opposite to the end of side the member that will, in use, be used to load a pallet/inner container. For instance, for rear end 20 frame 100, the stops 136 will be located near the ends of the side members 130 located under the central beam 124 of the upper sub assembly 104 to allow pallets to be slid over the opposite end of the side members' into the frame in the direction of arrow L. As can best be seen in Figure 3, extending along the outer side of the 25 each side member 130A, 130B is a respective elongate profiled side wall 133A, 133B. Each side wall comprises a sheet of material that is formed to form a first slanted portion that has one end connected to the upper surface of the side RAK.15B 11 member 130 (adjacent is outer side edge). This first slanted portion leads upwards and outwards at an angle of around 400 to the tip of a second portion of the side wall that is L-shaped in cross-section. The upper, vertical portion of each side wall 133 includes apertures through which adjusting devices 138 can 5 be fitted. In the example, an aperture is located adjacent each portion of the side wall that is fitted adjacent an upright 110, but, again, it will be understood that the number and positions of the apertures/adjusting devices can be varied. The devices 138 can be adjustable jacks identical to the jacks 116 fitted on the uprights, or may be different types of adjustable devices. The adjusting devices 10 of the lower sub assembly 106 extend outwardly from the side walls 133. The ends of the pair of side members 130A, 130B are connected together by means of respective end members 132A, 132B, which are strong elongate bars that can each include a set of spaced apart apertures 135. At the end of the each side member 130 over which, in use, a pallet is slid/loaded (i.e. the end 15 opposite to that which the stops 136 are located) there is a foot component 139. Each foot 139 is generally square/rectangular in shape and is formed of an upper surface having four depending sidewalls. The sidewall that is located at the front of the sub assembly 106 is angled and can act as a ramp for an article being slid over the foot 139 into the frame. 20 There can be at least one aperture 140 in the upper surface of the base panel that is, in use, positioned to receive at least one corresponding shot bolt 11 9B located on one of the front gates 119 (similar to way in which the apertures in the horizontal plates 129 of the upper sub assembly 104 are used with upper shot bolt 119A). It will be understood that other arrangements (e.g. shot bolts 25 that directly fit into bores in the inner containers or straps) can be used to secure the contents of the frame instead of or in addition to the pair of front gates. In an alternative embodiment, instead of a pair of the feet 139 there can be at least RAK.15B 12 one solid/continuous plate along the lower front end of the lower sub assembly 106, which can function as a ramp if needed. Such a ramp can have a set of spaced apart apertures that function in a similar manner to the aperture 140. In use, the first sub assembly 102 is positioned within an outer container, 5 with the pairs of lateral uprights, e.g. 110A and 110D, being positioned abutting/adjacent to inner sidewalls of the outer container. Next, the upper sub assembly 104 is positioned on the first sub assembly 102, with the corner pieces 126A, 126B of the upper assembly being fixed to the upper portions of the uprights 110 by means of bolts or the like. Next, the lower sub assembly 106 is 10 fitted inside the outer container. The jacks 116 can then be adjusted to establish firm contact between the upper inner surface of the outer container and the main sub assembly 102, with the uprights 110 becoming "wedged" between the floor and ceiling of the outer container. The jacks 126 can also be adjusted so that the upper sub assembly 15 104 becomes wedged between the sidewalls of the outer container. Similarly, the jacks 138 can be adjusted so that the lower sub assembly 106 becomes wedged inside the sidewalls of the outer container. Thus, the frame 100 is releasably secured in position within the outer container so that relative movement (in the horizontal (sideways and front/rear directions) and vertical 20 planes) of the frame and outer container is limited/prevented. Adhesive, if used, will also help limit such movement. The use of adjustable devices such as the jacks 116, 126, 138 (including the compressible pads) means that no permanent modification of the outer container is required (e.g. no components need to be welded or fixed in some other substantially permanent manner to the outer 25 container) and no part of the frame needs to penetrate a surface of the outer container. Damage to the outer container should not occir during normal use. Adjustable devices, such as the jacks, can readily deal with variations in the RAK.15B 13 shape/dimensions of inner surfaces of individual outer containers and can be easily and speedily removed when required. After the frame 100 has been fitted inside the outer container, it is ready to support at least one further container. It will be appreciated that the steps of 5 the assembly/use sequence described above can be varied. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate how the assembled frames 100, 100' can be used to store at least one inner container. Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1, whilst the viewpoint of the perspective view of Figure 5 is located below and to the left of the central axes of the frames. Thus, in Figure 5, 10 the (front end) frame labelled 110' in Figures 1 and 4 is more prominent and the (rear end) frame 100 is not shown storing a container in the example. A pallet 400 is shown located on top of the lower sub assembly 106. The dimensions of the lower sub assembly will be chosen to generally correspond with those of the pallet. The pallet has a set of four feet (not visible) near its 15 corners which fit into the four recesses 136 in the side members 130 or to the lower sub assembly 106. The pallet includes a pair of channels 402 running between its front and rear ends that can accommodate forks of a fork lift truck. At least the front end of the pallet can be fitted with a pair of L-shaped brackets 404. The upper surface of each bracket 404 can include at least one aperture to 20 engage with a bolt of an inner container (e.g. shot bolt 601), thereby releaseably fixing the inner container to the pallet. Figure 6 is a perspective view of an example of one type of inner container 600 that can be used in conjunction with the frame 100. The container 600 is a box-shaped framework capable of storing a plurality of further inner 25 containers. The framework comprises four corner uprights 602 that are connected together by a pair of lower elongate members 604A (and/or a square base panel). Diagonal cross-beams 605 may also be used to strengthen the RAK.15B 14 structure. Upper elongate members 604B (and/or a square panel) connect the upper ends of the uprights. The uprights 602, and in some cases other components of the inner container 600, may be formed of tubular lengths of material (e.g. of square-shaped cross-section) that may include a plurality of 5 evenly-spaced apertures. The front pair of uprights include hinges to which a pair of lockable front gates 606 are connected. A set of four upper formations 607 are connected to/formed on the upper surfaces of the inner container 600, each formation being located at/adjacent a corner of the inner container. Each formation includes a 10 square-shaped base panel upstanding from which are two sloping sidewalls. The upstanding sidewalls slope at an angle of around 40* and are located at the corners of the base panel near a notional central axis of the inner container (i.e. they can be thought of as "pointing" towards the middle of the container). The formations 607 can assist with securely stacking another (similar) container on 15 top of the container 600 when it is not located in the frame 100, e.g. when stored in a warehouse. The inner container 600 is shown holding a stack of further inner containers 700, 702. These may be placed directly on top of each other, or shelves/frames may be used, such as the shelving frame 610 shown in Figure 4. 20 Two types of further inner containers are shown in the stack of the example, a first (wider) heavy-duty drawer 700 and second (narrower) heavy-duty drawer 702. The width of the wider drawer can be around 330 mm (13") and the width of the narrower drawer can be around 685 mm (27"), but it will be understood that these widths are exemplary only and the storage system can be made to fit 25 any combination of containers, e.g. ones having widths anywhere between, for instance, 200 mm and 1150 mm. The heights of containers such as the drawers can be anywhere from around 101 mm (4") upwards and the dimensions of the RAK.15B 15 components of the inner container 600 and frame 100 can be formed to accommodate any desired height of containers, which may or may not be of uniform dimensions. The drawers can have lids and the lids may include formations that cooperate with corresponding formations on lower surfaces of 5 other drawers/containers so as to facilitate safe stacking of the units. At least one of the walls of a further inner container may be pivotably connected to its base, providing access to the contents of the container when the wall is "opened". Returning to Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the shelving frame 610 10 is located above the upper surfaces of the drawers 700, 702. The shelving frame can be fitted to the uprights 602 of the inner container 600, e.g. by means of bolts through the evenly-spaced apertures 611. The shelving frame is formed of a set of four elongate members, including a pair of parallel spaced-apart side members 612A, 612B that are connected together by means of a rear elongate 15 member 614 and front elongate member 616. The length/width of the shelving frame generally correspond to the length/width of the drawer/container over which it is positioned. Thus, the shelving frame 610 has a similar length/width to the drawer 700 underneath it. There is also a similar second shelving frame 610A whose length/width corresponds to the length/width of the narrower drawer 20 702 located beneath it. The side 612 and rear 614 elongate members of the shelving frame are of L-shape cross-section, with the vertical portions of the L-shapes acting as walls that limit movement of a drawer/container that will be placed on top of the (horizontal portions of the L-shapes of the) shelving frame. The front elongate 25 member 616 is flat to allow a drawer/container to be slid/loaded over it into the shelving frame. To assist with stabilising the drawer/container within the shelving frame, the front ends of the side members 612 include slots 618 (see RAK.15B 16 Figure 5 in particular). Each slot 618 is a V-shape rotated 'clockwise by 900 so that its wider portion is at the end of the side member, with the slot then tapering inwards. Projections (not visible) on the outer sides of the drawer are intended to fit into the corresponding slots of the side members 612. Each slot can also 5 include formation such as an indentation (not visible) that is intended to cooperate with the corresponding projection so that considerable force (in the frontwards direction) needs to be applied to release the projections, and thereby the drawer, from the shelving frame. The rear elongate ,member 614 of the shelving frame can include at least one formation, e.g. aperture 619, that is 10 intended to cooperate with a corresponding at least one formation, e.g. a projection, on a rear surface of the drawer, thereby further assisting with limiting relative movement of the drawer and shelving frame. It will be appreciated that variations so the shelving frames are possible, e.g. they could include a track/roller arrangement to allow the container 700, 702 to be at least partially 15 the extended (and retracted) relative to the frame like a drawer. It can be seen that the base of the inner frame-type container 600 is placed on top of (and aligned with) the upper surface of the pallet. This is normally done before the pallet 400 and container 600 are- transported into the frame 100, with the lockable gates 606 being closed for safety and to retain the 20 containers. Once the inner containers are fitted inside the frame 100, the front gates 119 of the frame can be shot-bolted shut to secure the inner containers in position. In the example where the pair of frames 100 |and 100' are used, access can be gained to each frame at opposite ends of the outer container. Figure 7 shows the frame 100 and inner containers fitted inside a Quadcon box 25 800, although it will be understood that the frame 100 can be used to support inner containers in other types of outer containers, e.g. containers commonly RAK.15B 17 called "Tricons"; full or half-width boxes; boxes having solid walls or boxes having at least some walls in the form of a mesh or frame. It will be appreciated that the combination of inner containers shown in use in the Figures is exemplary only and that various other types of inner 5 containers could be stored in conjunction with the frame 100 and outer container. For example, the inner frame-type container 600 heed not be used in cases where inner containers such as drawers 700 have dimensions that correspond with those of the frame 100. Further, the pallet 400 need not be used, with an inner container being placed directly on the lower sub assembly 10 106. Also, the further inner containers do not need to be directly stacked on top of each other within the inner frame-type container 600. For example, drawer like mechanisms that allow the further inner containers 'to be (partially or substantially completely) extended individually for access could be installed within the frame 100 or frame-type container 600. The frame-type container 600 15 can be a storage rack that includes an array of formations intended to engage with corresponding formations on the further inner containers, e.g. a pair of projections extending from a rear wall of the frame can engage with a pair of corresponding apertures on the further inner containers, but it will be understood that many variations are possible.. Engagement of such formations can 20 prevent/limit relative movement of the container and frame. Alternatively or additionally, such formations may be provided on the frame 100, e.g. on a rear end portion where a rear end of an inner container is positioned in use. Figure 8 illustrates an example of two frames 100 and 100" being fitted side-by-side in a Quadcon box 800. The left hand-frame 100 is narrower than 25 the right-hand frame 100". A support column (or "pylon") 850, which can comprise at least one elongate member or a plate, is also fitted inside the Quadcon box, abutting the right-hand side of frame 100 and the left-hand side of RAK.1 5B 18 frame 100". The support column 850 can be fitted within the Quadcon box using bolts or the like to connect the column to parts of the frame 100, e.g. into apertures 135 in the lower sub assembly 106 and apertures 125 in the upper sub assembly 104. Having a plurality of such apertures 135, 125 means that the 5 location of the column 850 within the frame 100/Quadcon b6x can be set to suit the dimensions of the containers to be stored within. The column 850 effectively divides the interior of the outer container so that sets of inner containers having different widths can be stored. In some embodiments, the column 850 can be fitted with at least one front gate, similar to gate 606 or 119. 10 It will be understood that the dimensions, number and arrangement of the components shown in the Figures is exemplary only and variations are possible. For instance, more than four upright struts could be used in the first sub assembly 102; the frame 100 can comprise few or more than three sub assemblies (which need not be central, lower and upper sub assemblies and not 15 all of which need necessarily include adjusting devices), or can be formed as an integral piece; adjusting devices could be provided on both upper and lower surfaces of the frame; instead of vertical struts, diagonal cross-bars could be used in the first sub assembly; solid panels could be used to connect the lower and upper frame members in addition to or instead of some of the uprights; the 20 side members/struts need not be of square U-shape or L-shaped cross-section; devices other than shot bolts (e.g. a pivoting hook or catch arrangement) could be used. In the example, a rigid metal such as steel is used for the components of the frame 100 and other containers, but it will be understood that other strong 25 materials (or a combination of materials) could be used instead. The dimensions of the framework will usually be chosen to correspond with the dimensions of one or more containers that it is intended to support. For RAK.15B 19 instance, the framework could be dimensioned to accommodate a container anywhere between 380 mm - 1012 mm (15"- 40") wide, around 42" (1066 mm) long and 101 mm - 508 mm (4" - 20") high, but it will be understood that these ranges are exemplary only. The components of the framework can be 5 connected together using any suitable means, e.g. welding or nuts/bolts, or the framework can be formed at least partially in another manner, e.g. using a moulding process.

Claims

1. A removable frame (100) adapted to be fitted inside an outer container (800) and to support at least one inner container (600, 700), the frame including a plurality of arrangements (116, 126, 138) configurable to contact an inner 5 surface of the outer container, such contact limiting movement of the frame relative to the outer container.

2. A removable frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is fitted to the outer container without requiring (permanent/invasive) modification of the outer container. 10

3. A removable frame according to claim 2, wherein frictional contact limits the relative movement.

4. A removable frame according to claim 3, wherein the movement-limiting arrangements also releaseably secure the frame inside the outer container.

5. A removable frame according to claim 1, wherein a said movement 15 limiting arrangement includes a pad (116A) configured to contact an inner surface of the outer container, the position of the pad relative to the frame being adjustable.

6. A removable frame according to claim 5, wherein the pad has increased frictional characteristics compared with other components of the frame/outer 20 container.

7. A removable frame according to claim 5, wherein the pad is at least partially formed of compressible material such as rubber.

8. A removable frame according to claim 5, wherein the pad has an adhesive applied to it. 25

9. A removable frame according to claim 5, wherein the position of the pad may be adjusted by means of the pad being mounted on a threaded member. RAK.15B 21

10. A removable frame according to claim 1, wherein the movement-limiting arrangements are configured to contact an upper and/or lower inner surface of the outer container and at least one inner side surface of the outer container.

11. A removable frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is assembled 5 from a plurality of sub assemblies (102, 104, 106), with at least some of the sub assemblies including the movement-limiting arrangements.

12. A removable frame according to claim 11, including a first said sub assembly (102) configured to extend partially between lower and upper (floor and ceiling) surfaces of the outer container, the first sub assembly including at 10 least one said movement-limiting arrangement configured to contact a lower or upper surface of the outer container.

13. A removable frame according to claim 12, wherein the frame includes an upper sub assembly (104) configured to fit on top of the first sub assembly (102), the upper sub assembly including at least one said movement-limiting 15 arrangement configured to contact an upper portion of at least one inner side surface of the outer container.

14. A removable frame according to claim 12, wherein the frame includes a lower sub assembly configured to fit onto a lower end the first sub assembly, the lower sub assembly including at least one said movement-limiting arrangement 20 configured to contact a lower portion of at least one inner side surface of the outer container.

15. A removable frame according to claim 11, wherein the sub assemblies may be at least partially connected together by means of at least one readily releasable device, such as a shot bolt, that does not require routine use of a tool 25 to lock/release it.

16. A removable frame according to claim 11, wherein a first said sub assembly includes a plurality of uprights connected together by a plurality of RAK.15B 22 cross-beams, each said upright being configured to be located adjacent a sidewall of the outer container, the removable frame further including upper and/or lower said sub assembly configured to connect a pair of said uprights together across a width of the outer container. 5

17. A removable frame according to claim 14, wherein the lower sub assembly includes at least one formation for receiving a corresponding at least one formation of a said inner container.

18. A removable frame according to claim 1, including an arrangement configured to releaseably secure the at least one inner container in the frame, 10 e.g. a lockable gate.

19. A removable frame according to claim 1, further including a shelving frame (610) upon which a said inner container can be supported, the shelving frame including at least one formation (e.g. a slot 618 or aperture 619) configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding formation on the inner 15 container, thereby assisting with securing the inner container within the frame.

20. A removable frame according to claim 1, further including a dividing member (850).

21. A removable frame according to any one of the, preceding claims, including at least one formation configured to engage, in use, with a 20 corresponding at least one formation on a said inner container, thereby preventing or limiting relative movement of the frame and the inner container.

22. A storage device according to claim 21, wherein the at least one formation of the frame is located on a rear end portion (212) of the frame.

23. A storage system including at least one removable frame according to 25 claim 1, and: at least one said inner container, and/or at least one said outer container. RAK.15B 23

24. A method of fitting a removable frame to an outer container, the removable frame being adapted to support at least one inner container and the method including: placing the frame inside the outer container, and 5 adjusting a plurality of arrangements (116, 126, 138). to contact an inner surface of the outer container, such contact limiting movement of the frame relative to the outer container.

25. A removable frame, or a storage system, substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings. '