AU2020202189A1

AU2020202189A1 - Pipe Transport Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2020202189A1
Application number: AU2020202189A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Glenn Lahey
Original assignee: Kaizen Eng Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kaizen Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-03-27
Publication date: 2020-10-15

Abstract

A pipe transport assembly includes a cradle that is removably mountable on a trailer for a shipping container. At least one cassette is configured for arrangement in the cradle, the cassette including a base on which pipes can be positioned in a side-by-side manner. Support posts are proud of the sides of the base for retaining the pipes on the cassette. The at least one cassette is stackable on a further cassette. I/ IL CNN r IC -- - - - - - --/ CC 00

Description

I/ IL CNN

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IC -- /- - - - - -- CC PIPE TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various exemplary embodiments of a pipe transport assembly and a method of transporting pipes are described in this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various exemplary embodiments of a pipe transport assembly include: a cradle that is removably mountable on a trailer for a shipping container; at least one cassette configured for arrangement in the cradle, the cassette including a base on which pipes can be positioned in a side-by-side manner; and support posts proud of the sides of the base for retaining the pipes on the cassette, the at least one cassette being stackable on a further cassette.

The cradle may include a bulkhead extending upwardly of a proximal end of the cradle and may also include a bulkhead extending upwardly of a distal end of the cradle. The bulkheads provide additional prevention of movement of pipes in cassettes, when loaded onto the cradle.

The cradle may be configured for mounting on the trailer of a tractor-trailer combination suitable for transporting shipping containers. In various embodiments, the trailer in question can be a skeleton trailer of the type that is used to convey shipping containers. The cradle may include a connecting arrangement that is configured for engagement with a conventional connecting arrangement on the trailer. For example, this can include openings or recesses in the cradle into which components of the conventional connecting arrangement can be received. Such openings or recesses in the cradle can be in locations that would suit conventional shipping containers. The cradle may include channels for forks of a forklift, or other lifting apparatus, including cranes, suitable for manipulating the cradle into engagement with the trailer.

It follows that the cradle may be of alength corresponding with that of a conventional shipping container. These are available in different sizes, known as 8-foot, -foot, 20-foot, and 40-foot containers, the dimensions referring to their respective lengths.

Each cassette may accommodate a plurality of pipes in a side-by-side manner. The base of the cassette may include retaining members for positioning the pipes and the retaining members may also provide a barrier or partial barrier between adjacent pipes. The retaining members may be grooves, chocks, isolators or the like, and may be of a material that minimises damage to the pipes, such as a polymer, including polyethylene.

Support posts on the cassette may include projections at intervals along any, or more than one, edge of the cassette. The support posts may facilitate stacking of cassettes. A bottom end of each post may include a floor with a recess. A top end of each post may be configured to nest in the recess of the upper cassette. The recess may have a profile that is shaped to guide each top end into engagement with its associated recess.

The cassette may include channels for receiving forks of a forklift, or other lifting apparatus, including cranes. The channels may be in the plane of the base of the cassette and may be positioned at any practicable location on the cassette. The channels are preferably at locations along an elongate edge of the cassette to facilitate lifting and transporting of the cassette onto and off the cradle.

The cassette may be vertically stacked as described above or may be packed adjacent a further cassette in the cradle, in addition to having further cassettes stacked vertically.

The cassette may include side panels orthogonal to the base, to facilitate transport of accessories. The side panels may be solid, or may be discontinuous, for example woven or meshed, to provide a basket configuration.

The pipes for use with the pipe transport assembly of the invention may include casings, rods, tubing, conduits, and other elongate solid or hollow rods. The pipes may be of any length which aligns with an appropriate length of a cassette and cradle of the pipe transport assembly. In general, the pipes may be from about 1m to about 12 m in length, and from about 1 cm to about 40 cm in diameter. Such pipes can be accommodated in a cassette of the invention of from about 6 m to about 10 m in length. The pipes may be substantially the length of a cassette. Alternatively, the pipes may be longer than the cassette to overhang ends of the cassette. In that case, the cassette can be positioned centrally with respect to the pipes.

Various exemplary embodiments of a method of transporting pipes in a pipe transport assembly, the assembly including a cradle and a cassette, includes the steps of: mounting the cradle on a trailer for a shipping container; packing at least one pipe onto the cassette to give a first packed cassette, the cassette being configured for arrangement in the cradle, the cassette including a base on which the at least one pipe can be positioned in a side-by-side manner with further pipes; retaining the at least one pipe with at least one support post on the cassette; stacking the first packed cassette onto the cradle; optionally stacking further packed cassettes adjacent to and/or on top of the first packed cassette; and transporting the pipes in the assembly.

The, or each, packed cassette may be stacked onto the cradle before the cradle is mounted on the trailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a tractor-trailer combination and a partially exploded view of a pipe transport assembly according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the transport assembly of figure 1.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment of a cassette of the invention.

Figure 3b shows an embodiment of a cassette of the invention.

Figure 3c shows an embodiment of a cassette of the invention.

Figure 3d shows an embodiment of a cassette of the invention.

Figure 4a shows a detailed perspective view of the part B of figure 2.

Figure 4b shows a detailed side view of the section B of figure 2.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an isolator for use with the transport assembly.

Figure 5b shows a front view of the isolator of figure 5a.

Figure 5c shows a side view of the isolator of figure 5a.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view illustrating use of the isolator of figure 5a.

Figure 7a shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an isolator for use with the transport assembly.

Figure 7b shows a front view of the isolator of figure 7a.

Figure 7c shows a side view of the isolator of figure 7a.

Figure 8 shows an exploded view illustrating use of the isolator of figure 7a.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of one example of a tractor-trailer combination carrying two pipe transport assemblies according to aspects of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of one example of a tractor-trailer combination carrying a pipe transport assembly according to an aspect of the invention.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one example of a tractor-trailer combination carrying a pipe transport assembly according to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a pipe transport assembly in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a modular system for packing, loading and transporting pipes on a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination suitable for transporting shipping containers. The pipes can be packed and secured in stackable cassettes, which are secured to a cradle. The cradle is secured to a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination. The trailer is configured for transport of shipping containers. Thus, no modification of the trailer is required to ensure fitting of the cradle to the trailer.

Figure 1 shows a skeleton trailer 10 connected to a prime mover 11 and a partially exploded view of a pipe transport assembly 12 according to one aspect of the invention. In this view, the pipe transport assembly includes a cradle 14 and stackable cassettes 16.

The skeleton trailer 10 includes connectors 18 for securing a shipping container to the skeleton trailer 10 in a conventional manner. The cradle 14 includes complementary connecting formations 19 for engagement with the connectors 18, to secure the cradle 14 to the trailer 10. Given that the trailer 10 is configured for transporting conventional shipping containers, the complementary connecting formations 19 of the cradle 14 can be similar to those used on conventional shipping containers for securing the shipping containers to a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination used for transporting shipping containers.

The cradle 14 includes a base 20, a proximal bulkhead 22 and a distal bulkhead 24. The proximal and distal bulkheads 22, 24 extend upwardly from respective ends of the base 20. The cradle 14 can also include side panels 26, extending upwardly from the base 20 at the bulkheads 22, 24, and orthogonal to the bulkheads. The side panels 26 assist in securing and locating the cassettes 16 on the cradle 14.

The base 20 of the cradle 14 includes a topside 28, an underside 30, and an intervening portion 32 separating the topside 28 and the underside 30. The intervening portion 32 includes channels 34 for receiving forks of a forklift, or other lifting apparatus, including cranes. The channels 34 can facilitate lifting of the cradle 14 and positioning the cradle 14 on the trailer 10.

Referring to figure 3, each cassette 16 includes a base 36 and support posts 38 along any or more than one edge of the cassette 16. The configuration of the cassette can be varied according to the application. For example, figure 3a shows a cassette 16 with a base 36 which has spaced bars 40 for supporting pipes. However, it is to be appreciated that other elongate objects such as rods and drill string sections can also be supported by the base 36. Similarly, figure 3d shows a cassette 16' with a base 36"' which is comprised of spaced bars 40' for supporting pipes and the like. Figure 3b shows a cassette 16' with a solid base 36', and figure 3c also shows a cassette 16" with a solid base 36". The cassettes 16', 16" can be used to store and transport miscellaneous items such as accessories, consumables, tools and the like. In particular, the cassette 16" shown in figure 3d is suited for this purpose. The cassette 16" includes side panels 46 orthogonal to the base 36". The side panels 46 may be solid, or may be discontinuous, for example woven or meshed, to provide a basket 48, as represented in figures 1 and 2. The basket 48 can be integral to the cassette 16" or can be positioned on the base 16', 16" as a separate unit.

The base 36 of the cassette 16 can include channels 42 for receiving forks of a forklift, or other lifting apparatus, including cranes. The channels 42 can facilitate lifting of the cassette 16 and positioning the cassette 16 on the cradle 14.

The support posts 38 of the cassette 16 can also be varied according to the application of the cassette 16. In the figures (see in particular figure 3), the support posts 38 are projections at intervals along two opposed major edges 44, 44' of the cassette 16.

Referring to figures 3a, 3d and figures 5 to 8, the base 36 of the cassette 16 is configured to accommodate a plurality of pipes 50 in a side-by-side manner. The base 36 can include retaining members for positioning the pipes 50. The retaining members can be grooves, chocks, isolators or the like, which are positioned orthogonal to the length of the base 36 and can also provide a barrier or partial barrier between adjacent pipes.

In figures 3a, 3d and figures 5 to 8, the retaining members can be isolators 52, 54. The isolators 52, 54 can be positioned along bars 41 of the base 36"', which have a V-shaped profile to accommodate the isolators 52, 54.

Referring to figure 5 and figure 6, the isolator 52 has two opposing faces 56, each with four adjacent grooves 58, and two opposing faces 60, each with three adjacent grooves 59.

The grooves 58, 59 are of a predetermined diameter corresponding to at least the diameter of the pipes 50 that will be stored and transported on the cassette 16. The isolator 52 can be positioned on each or a number of the bars 40 of the cassette 16. The bars 40 can includes bars that have a profile to permit the isolators 52 to engage the bars in a nested manner with the isolators supported by the bars. For example, the bars 41 can have a V-shaped profile to accommodate a corner of respective isolators 52 (see figure 3d). The isolator 52 can be positioned on the bars with the face 56 upward, if it is desired to load four pipes 50 adjacent each other, as shown in figure 6. Alternatively, the isolator 52 can be positioned with the face 60 facing upward, if it is desired to load three pipes 50 adjacent each other.

Once the pipes 50 are positioned in the grooves 58, 59 interspersed bridges 64 of the isolator 52 can prevent the packed pipes 50 from contacting adjacent pipes. This can prevent damage to the pipes resulting from bumping or rubbing against each other during transport. Further isolator(s) 52 can be positioned on the loaded pipes 50. A further layer of pipes 50 can then be positioned on the first layer or pipes 50 and held in position by the isolators 52. In general, the isolator 52 can accommodate pipes of diameter from about 7 inches (180 mm), in the grooves 58, to about 10 inches (250 mm), in the grooves 59.

Referring to figure 7 and figure 8, the isolator 54 has two opposing faces 66 with nine adjacent grooves 70, and two opposing faces 68 with seven adjacent grooves 71. The grooves 70 are of a predetermined diameter corresponding to at least the diameter of the pipes 50 that will be stored and transported on the cassette 16. The bars 40 can include bars that have a profile to permit the isolators 54 to engage the bars in a nested manner with the isolators supported by the bars. For example, the bars 41 can have a V shaped profile to accommodate a corner of respective isolators 54 (see figure 3d). The isolators 54 can be positioned on each, or a number of, the bars 40 of the cassette 16. The isolator 54 can be positioned with the face 66 upward, if it is desired to load nine pipes 50 adjacent each other in each of the grooves 70. Alternatively, the isolator 54 can be positioned with the face 68 facing upward, if it is desired to load seven pipes 50 adjacent each other, as shown in figure 8, in each of the grooves 71.

Once the pipes 50 are positioned in the grooves 70, 71 interspersed bridges 72 of the isolator 52 can prevent the packed pipes 50 from contacting adjacent pipes, or at least keep the pipes stationary relative to adjacent pipes. This can prevent damage to the pipes resulting from bumping or rubbing against adjacent pipes during transport.

Further isolator(s) 54 can be positioned on a top face of the loaded pipes 50. A further layer of pipes 50 can then be positioned on the first layer of pipes 50, and held in position by the isolators 54, as shown in figure 8. In general, the isolator 54 can accommodate a pipe of diameter from about 2" (50 mm), in the grooves 70 to about 4" (100 mm) in the grooves 71.

The isolators 52, 54 can be made from any practicable material, including plastics, rubber and the like, which can further prevent or minimise damage to the pipes 50. The isolators 52, 54 can be moulded, machined, extruded, or can be made by any other practicable method.

Furthermore, the number and size of the grooves can vary to suit differently sized pipes.

Referring back to figure 3a and figure 2, a cassette 16, according to the invention, includes the support posts 38 which, in this example, are projections at intervals along the two opposing major edges 44, 44' of the cassette 16.

Section B of figure 2, which is enlarged in figure 4, shows the manner in which the support posts 38 can facilitate stacking of the cassettes 16. A lower end 74 of each post 38 includes a floor 76 with a recess 78. A top end 80 of each post 38 is configured to nest in the recess 78 of the post 38 above. Each recess 78 includes sidewalls 79 that taper inwardly and upwardly to guide the top ends 80 into their respective recesses 78. The height of the support posts 38 dictates the distance between stacked cassettes 16, 16', 16". The height of the posts 38 can be varied according to the application, for example larger diameter pipes may require a larger gap between cassettes. Figures 2 and 4a show the uppermost posts 38' as longer than the lower posts 38. This is to accommodate and support the basket 48.

In use, a desired number of pipes 50 can be positioned on a cassette 16. The cassette 16 can be picked up by a forklift, using the forklift channels 42, and positioned on the base 20 of a cradle 14. Further cassettes 16 can be similarly packed with pipes and positioned adjacent to or on top of the cassette 16. The packed cradle 14 can be picked up by a forklift, using the forklift channels 34, and positioned on the skeleton trailer 10.

The cradle 14 can also include side panels 26 (figure 1), which extend orthogonally from respective vertical edges of the proximal bulkhead 22 and distal bulkhead 24. The side panels 26 can be attached to the bulkheads 22, 24. The side panels 26 further secure the stacked cassettes 16 on the cradle 14.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the pipe transport assembly 12 in use on trailers of various configurations. Figure 9 shows the pipe transport assembly 12 on a 20-foot trailer 84 in tandem with the pipe transport assembly 12 on a 40-foot trailer 86. The 20 foot trailer 84 can store and transport pipes with a corresponding length, while the 40 foot trailer 86 can store and transport pipes with a corresponding length. This provides flexibility for storing and transporting pipes of many different lengths and configurations.

Figure 10 shows the pipe transport assembly 12 on a 40-foot trailer 86.

Figure 11 shows an assembly 12 of the invention on two tandem 20-foot trailers 84.

The pipes 50 for use with the pipe transport assembly of the invention could be replaced with casings, tubing, conduits, rods, drill string sections and other elongate solid or hollow articles. The pipes can be of any length which aligns with an appropriate length of a cassette 16 and cradle 14 of the invention. In general, the pipes can be from about 1m to about 12m in length, and from about 1 cm to about 40 cm in diameter. Pipes of between 6m and 1Om in length can be accommodated in a cassette 16, of one embodiment of the invention. The pipes can be substantially the length of a cassette 16, or a cassette of shorter length than the pipes can be positioned centrally with respect to the pipes.

A pipe transport assembly according to embodiments of the invention can store and transport a large number and range of pipes, rods, and accessories. The configuration of the assembly facilitates use of the assembly with pre-existing shipping container trailers, such as skeleton trailers, without modification. Use of the skeleton trailers minimises the weight of the trailer and enables storage and transport of a greater load of pipes and accessories.

The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

Throughout this specification, reference to any advantages, promises, objects or the like should not be regarded as cumulative, composite and/or collective and should be regarded as preferable or desirable rather than stated as a warranty.

Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising," (and variants thereof) or related terms such as "includes" (and variants thereof)," are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers.

When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

Words indicating direction or orientation, such as "front", "rear", "back", etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

The term "and/or", e.g., "A and/or B" shall be understood to mean either "A and B" or "A or B" and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning. Throughout this specification, reference to any advantages, promises, objects or the like should not be regarded as cumulative, composite and/or collective and should be regarded as preferable or desirable rather than stated as a warranty.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pipe transport assembly, the assembly including: a cradle that is removably mountable on a trailer for a shipping container; at least one cassette configured for arrangement in the cradle, the cassette including a base on which pipes can be positioned in a side-by-side manner; and support posts proud of the sides of the base for retaining the pipes on the cassette, in which the at least one cassette is stackable on a further cassette.

2. The pipe transport assembly of claim 1, wherein the cradle includes a bulkhead extending upwardly of a proximal end of the cradle.

3. The pipe transport assembly of claim 2, wherein the cradle includes a bulkhead extending upwardly of a distal end of the cradle.

4. The pipe transport assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle is configured for mounting on the trailer of a tractor-trailer combination suitable for transporting shipping containers.

5. The pipe transport assembly of claim 4, wherein the trailer is a skeleton trailer of the type that is used to convey shipping containers.

6. The pipe transport assembly of claim 5, wherein the cradle includes a connecting arrangement configured for engagement with a conventional connecting arrangement on the trailer.

7. The pipe transport assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle includes channels for lifting apparatus, configured for manipulating the cradle into engagement with the trailer.

8. The pipe transport assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the, or each, cassette includes retaining members for positioning the pipes.

9. The pipe transport assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining members are selected from one or more of grooves, chocks, and isolators.

10. The pipe transport assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support posts include projections at intervals along at least an edge of the cassette.

11. The pipe transport assembly of claim 10, wherein the support posts include a bottom end which includes a floor with a recess, and a top end configured to nest in the recess of an upper cassette.

12. The pipe transport assembly of claim 11, in which the recess has a profile that is shaped to guide the top end into engagement with an associated recess.

13. The pipe transport assembly of claim 7, in which the channels are at locations along an elongate edge of the cassette to facilitate lifting and transporting of the cassette onto and off the cradle.

14. The pipe transport assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cassette includes side panels orthogonal to the base, to facilitate transport of accessories.

15. A method of transporting pipes in a pipe transport assembly, the assembly including a cradle and a cassette, the method including the steps of: packing at least one pipe onto the cassette to give a first packed cassette, the cassette being configured for arrangement in the cradle, the cassette including a base on which the at least one pipe is positioned in a side-by-side manner with further pipes; retaining the at least one pipe with at least one support post on the cassette; stacking the first packed cassette onto the cradle; mounting the cradle on a trailer for a shipping container; and transporting the pipes in the assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of: stacking further packed cassettes adjacent to the first packed cassette prior to transporting the pipes.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, further including the step of: stacking further packed cassettes on top of the first packed cassette prior to transporting the pipes.

18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17, in which the step of mounting the cradle on a trailer precedes the step of packing at least one pipe onto the cassette.

Figure 1

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