CA2903442A1 - Sliding hinge for container wall erection - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular shipping container kit is configured to be assembled on-site by a user. The modular shipping container kit includes a roof, walls, and a floor which may be assembled to form a shipping container.

Description

SLIDING HINGE FOR CONTAINER WALL ERECTION
Field of the Disclosure:
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a shipping container, and more specifically to a modular shipping container kit for on-site assembly.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Shipping containers used to move cargo are generally large box-like structures. Providing these shipping containers to users in the field is difficult due to their weight and size. As such, a limited number of containers can be moved at one time in a fully assembled form.

[0003] Modular shipping container kits include the subcomponents of a shipping container in a disassembled form. However, these kits include a number of disconnected parts which must be organized and assembled on-site. In addition, skilled workers are required to assemble the container to ensure proper attachment and alignment of the components.

[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology, including contributions that reduce complexity and cost.
SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features recited in the attached claims and combinations thereof, and/or one or more of the following features and combination thereof.

[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure, an illustrative modular shipping container kit is disclosed. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for forming a shipping container from the modular shipping container kit. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

[0007] Various illustrative embodiments of a modular shipping container kit are provided. In one aspect, a modular shipping container kit comprises a floor, a left =

side wall and a right side wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and a roof. The left side wall, the right side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall are coupled to the floor.

[0008] Illustratively, the front and rear walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position where the front and rear walls extend along the floor and an erected support position where the front and rear walls extend upward away from the floor.

[0009] Illustratively, the left and right side walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position where the left and right side walls extend along the floor and an erected support position where the left and right side walls extend upward away from the floor.

[0010] Illustratively, the roof is configured to engage with upper portions of the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall when the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall are in the erected support position.

[0011] Illustratively, the roof is configured to lie over the front and rear walls when the front and rear walls are in the flattened transport position.

[0012] Illustratively, the modular shipping container kit further comprises a left sliding hinge coupled between the left side wall and the floor and a right sliding hinge coupled between the right side wall and the floor, the left and right sliding hinges configured to allow the left and right side walls to pivot relative to the floor.

[0013] Illustratively, the left sliding hinge includes a left bracket, a left sleeve, and a left fastener extending through the left bracket and the left sleeve.
The right sliding hinge includes a right bracket, a right sleeve, and a right fastener extending through the right bracket and the right sleeve.

[0014] Illustratively, the floor includes a left side rail and a right side rail, the left and right side rails extending upward from the floor and along left and right side edges thereof.

[0015] Illustratively, the left sleeve is coupled to the left side rail and the left bracket is coupled to the left side wall to secure the left side wall to the floor when the left fastener is positioned through the left bracket and the left sleeve.
The right sleeve is coupled to the right side rail and the right bracket is coupled to the right side wall to secure the right side wall to the floor when the right fastener is positioned through the right bracket and the right sleeve.

[0016] Illustratively, the left bracket is formed to include a left slot configured to receive the left fastener. The left fastener is configured to slide in the left slot to allow the left side wall to pivot relative to the floor. The right bracket is formed to include a right slot configured to receive the right fastener. The right fastener is configured to slide in the right slot to allow the right side wall to pivot relative to the floor.

[0017] Illustratively, an upper portion of the left bracket is coupled to the left side wall and a lower portion of the left bracket is spaced apart from the left side wall to define a left gap therebetween. An upper portion of the right bracket is coupled to the right side wall and a lower portion of the right bracket is spaced apart from the right side wall to define a right gap therebetween.

[0018] Illustratively, the left gap is configured to receive the left side rail when the left side wall is in the erected support position. The right gap is configured to receive the right side rail when the right side wall is in the erected support position.

[0019] Illustratively, the front and rear walls include retainer flanges coupled to the left and right side rails such that the front and rear walls are pivotable relative to the floor.

[0020] Illustratively, the modular shipping container kit further comprises at least one clamp coupled between the roof and the body to secure the roof to the body.

[0021] Illustratively, each clamp includes a J-shaped channel engaged with the roof and the body and a fastener extending through a portion of the roof and the J-shaped channel.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of forming a shipping container from a modular shipping container kit comprises pivoting front, rear, left side, and right side walls relative to a floor and securing a roof to at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall.

[0023] Illustratively, the method further comprises lowering the left side wall such that a left side rail of the floor is received in a left gap defined by the left side wall and a left sliding hinge coupled to the left side wall. The method further comprises lowering the right side wall such that a right side rail of the floor is received in a right gap defined by the right side wall and a right sliding hinge coupled to the right side wall.

[0024] These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Fig. 1 is an perspective view of a modular shipping container kit employing features of the present disclosure showing a roof of the kit positioned above a body portion of the kit;

[0026] Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing that the body includes a front wall and a rear wall coupled to a floor and suggesting that the front and rear walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position and an erected support position;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing that the body also includes a left side wall and a right wall coupled to the floor and suggesting that the left and right side walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position and an erected support position;

[0028] Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 suggesting that the roof is mounted on the body of the modular shipping container kit to form a shipping container;

[0029] Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the inside of the shipping container of Fig. 4 showing that the floor includes a pair of side rails extending up from the floor and along side edges thereof and suggesting that the walls of the container are secured to the side rails;

[0030] Fig. 6 is a detail view of the shipping container of Fig. 5 showing a sliding hinge employing features of the present disclosure and suggesting that the sliding hinge secures the side walls to the floor;

[0031] Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 6 showing that a bracket of the sliding hinge is coupled to the side wall and defines a gap between the bracket and side wall sized to receive the side rail of the floor such that the side rail is trapped between the side wall and the bracket;

[0032] Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 6 showing that a sleeve of the sliding hinge is secured to the side rail and suggesting that a fastener passes through the bracket and the sleeve to secure the side wall to the floor;

[0033] Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the side wall in the flattened transport position and suggesting that the side wall rotates about the fastener of the hinge;

[0034] Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the side wall partially erected and suggesting that a lower portion of the side wall extends over the side rail as the side wall is rotated;

[0035] Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the side wall in a substantially upright position with the side rail positioned to be received in the gap between the side wall and the bracket of the sliding hinge;

[0036] Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the side wall in the erected support position and suggesting that the fastener of the sliding hinge slides in a slot of the bracket to allow the side wall to be lowered such that the side rail of the floor is received in the gap;

[0037] Fig. 13 is a detail view of the shipping container of Fig. 5 showing that the rear wall includes a pair of retainer flanges coupled to the side rail of the floor and suggesting that the rear wall is pivotable about a pivot axis (Pi) relative to the floor;

[0038] Fig. 14 is a detail view of the shipping container of Fig. 13 showing a lock plate coupled between the left side wall and the rear wall to maintain the walls in the erected support position and suggesting that the side wall is pivotable about a pivot axis (P2) that is generally perpendicular to the pivot axis (Pi) of the rear wall;

[0039] Fig. 15 is an upper perspective view of the shipping container of Fig. 5 showing that the retainer flanges of the rear wall extend upward from the floor and suggesting that the retainer flanges are positioned to engage with the side walls;

[0040] Fig. 16 is a detail view of the shipping container of Fig. 15 showing the left side wall engaged with the retainer flange of the rear wall to form a continuous side of the shipping container;

[0041] Fig. 17 is a perspective sectional view taken along line 17-17 in Fig. 4 showing that the roof includes perimeter frame engaged with the walls, a panel coupled to the perimeter frame, and a plurality of support ribs coupled to the perimeter frame to support the panel;

[0042] Fig. 18 is a detail view of the roof of Fig. 17 showing that a clamp engages with the ribs of the roof and an upper edge of the walls to secure the roof to the body; and

[0043] Fig. 19 is a perspective sectional view taken along line 19-19 in Fig. 18 showing that the clamp includes a J-shaped channel engaged with the ribs and the walls and a fastener extending through the rib and the J-shaped channel to secure the roof to the body.

[0044] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. While the concepts of this disclosure are described in relation to a lamp-mount grommet for use in a trailer to a semi-tractor, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to other trailers and vehicles.

[0046] A modular shipping container kit 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 1. The kit 10 includes a roof 12 and body 14. Roof 12 is positioned on body 14 for transportation of kit 10 to a user. A profile of kit 10 is smaller than a profile of an assembled shipping container 100 formed therefrom as suggested in Figs. 1 and 4. As such, multiple kits 10 can be stacked onto one another and transported to a user for final assembly.

[0047] Body 14 includes a floor 16, a front wall 11 coupled to floor 16, and a rear wall 13 coupled to floor 16 as shown in Fig. 1. Front and rear walls 11, 13 are shown in a flattened transport position. To assemble shipping container 100, a user removes roof 12 from body 14 as suggested in Fig. 1. The user then pivots front wall 11 and rear wall 13 relative to floor 16 from the flattened transport position to an erected support position as suggested in Fig. 2.

[0048] Body 14 also includes a left side wall 15 and a right side wall 17 coupled to floor 16 as suggested in Fig. 3. The user pivots left side wall 15 from a flattened transport position, shown in Fig. 2, to an erected support position, shown in Fig. 3. The user also pivots right side wall 17 to an erected support position as suggested in Fig. 3. In the illustrative embodiment, left and right side walls 15, 17 are stored beneath front and rear walls 11, 13 in the flattened transport position. Roof 12 is coupled to body 14 at upper edges of walls 11, 13, 15, 17 to form shipping container 100 as suggested in Fig. 4.

[0049] In the illustrative embodiment, front wall 11 and rear wall 13 are substantially similar except that front wall 11 includes doors for accessing an interior space within shipping container 100 as suggested in Fig. 1. In the illustrative embodiment, left wall 15 and right wall 17 are also substantially similar in construction. As such, the discussion below of rear wall 13 applies with equal force to front wall 11, and the discussion below of left side wall 15 applies with equal force to right side wall 17. However, it should be noted that in some embodiments walls 11, 13, 15, 17 have varying constructions and configurations relative to one another.

[0050] For ease of discussion, body 14 is shown in Fig. 5 with right side wall 17 and front wall 11 removed. Floor 16 includes a deck 160 and a pair of side rails 19 which extend upward from deck 160 and along side edges thereof. A sliding hinge 18 in accordance with the present disclosure secures left side wall 15 with floor 16 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Sliding hinge 18 is coupled to left side wall 15 and side rail 19 to secure left side wall 15 to floor 16. In the illustrative embodiment, multiple sliding hinges 18 are used to secure left side wall 15 to floor 16.

[0051] Sliding hinge 18 includes a bracket 22 coupled to left side wall 15, a sleeve 24 positioned within bracket 22 and coupled to side rail 19 of floor 16, and a fastener 26 extending through bracket 22 and sleeve 24 as shown in Fig. 6.
Bracket 22 is formed to include a slot 29 which receives fastener 26 as suggested in Figs. 7 and 8. In the illustrative embodiment, fastener 26 is a bolt. In some embodiments, other fasteners are used, such as pins for example. An upper portion of bracket 22 is secured to left side wall 15 and a lower portion of bracket 22 is spaced apart from left side wall 15 to define a gap 28 therebetween. Gap 28 is configured to receive a portion of side rail 19 to align left side wall 15 with floor 16 in the erected support position. Sleeve 24 is secured to side rail 19 as suggested in Fig. 8. In some embodiments, sleeve 24 is welded to side rail 19.

[0052] Left side wall 15 is shown in the flattened transport position in Fig. 9.
Fastener 26 contacts an end of slot 29 to allow left side wall 15 to pivot relative to floor 16. As left side wall 15 pivots, a lower portion of left side wall 15 passes over side rail 19 as suggested in Fig. 10. Left side wall 15 is pivoted until side rail 19 is substantially aligned with gap 28 as suggested in Fig. 11. Left side wall 15 is lowered until fastener 26 engages the other end of slot 29 and side rail 19 is received in gap 28 as suggested in Fig. 12. Left side wall 15 overlaps with side rail 19 by a distance D to resist the entry of water, such as from rain, or other liquids into shipping container 100.

[0053] Skilled workers are not required to be on-site to assemble shipping container 100 from kit 10 due to the secure connections between walls 11, 13, 15, 17 and floor 16. For example, sliding hinge 18 can be installed at a manufacturing facility of kit 10 such that left and right side walls 15, 17 are properly aligned with floor 16 when in the erected support position. Similarly, front and rear walls 11, 13 can be attached and properly aligned with floor 16 at the manufacturing facility. No subsequent alignment of walls 11, 13, 15, 17 is required. As such, a user simply has to pivot walls 11, 13, 15, 17 into the erected support position and attach roof 12 to body 14 to form shipping container 100 from kit 10. In some embodiments, modular shipping container kit 10 is delivered to a user with the fasteners 26 removed from sliding hinges 18. In such an embodiment, the user aligns brackets 22 with sleeves 24 to insert fasteners 26. No additional alignment is necessary because sliding hinges 18 were aligned prior to delivery of modular shipping container kit 10 to the user.

[0054] Rear wall 13 includes a pair of retainer flanges 32 as shown in Fig.
13.
Retainer flanges 32 are coupled to side rails 19 to allow rear wall 13 to pivot about a pivot axis P1 relative to floor 16 as suggested in Figs. 13 and 14. Sliding hinge 18 is configured to allow left side wall 15 to pivot about a pivot axis P2 relative to floor 16 as suggested in Fig. 14. Pivot axis P1 is generally perpendicular to pivot axis P2. In the illustrative embodiment, a lock plate 34 is coupled between retainer flange 32 and left side wall 15 to maintain left side wall 15 and rear wall 13 in the erected support position.

[0055] Retainer flange 32 is positioned to engage with left side wall 15 when left side wall 15 is moved to the erected support position as suggested in Figs. 15 and 16. Retainer flange 32 overlaps left side wall 15 to resist the entry of water, such as from rain, or other liquids into shipping container 100. Left side wall 15 engages with retainer flange 32 to form a continuous side of shipping container 100.

[0056] In some embodiments, front and rear walls 11, 13 are removed from floor 16 prior to delivery of kit 10 to a user. In such an embodiment, the user aligns front and rear walls 11, 13 with floor 16 and inserts fasteners through retainer flanges 32 and side rails 19 to secure front and rear walls 11, 13 to floor 16. Holes for receiving the fasteners are formed in side rails 19 and retainer flanges 32 prior to delivery to the user. As such, no skilled workers are necessary to align front and rear walls 11, 13 with floor 16. In some embodiments, front and rear walls 11, 13 are secured to floor 16 by sliding hinges.

[0057] Roof 12 includes a panel 42, a perimeter frame 44, and a plurality of support ribs 46 coupled to perimeter frame 44 to support panel 42 as suggested in Fig. 17. One or more clamps 48 secure roof 12 to body 14. Each clamp 48 includes a J-shaped channel 41, engaged with support rib 46 and an upper edge of walls 11, 13, 15, 17, and a fastener 43, such as a bolt for example, extending through support rib 46 and J-shaped channel 41 as shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

[0058] In illustrative embodiments, a sliding hinge mounts to the bottom of a container side wall allowing for easy field assembly of a shipping container.
The sliding hinge allows the side walls to be shipped in a folded position to increase the number of units that can be transported at a time. On site, the sliding hinge allows for the easy erection of the walls and aligns the walls in their final position.
The sliding of the hinge allows the folded walls to sit inside the base (floor) frame and folded end walls. The sliding hinge also allows overlap of the side walls over the base frame in the assembled position to assist in water shedding.

[0059] In illustrative embodiments, the sliding hinge reduces the total shipping height of a container in kit form. The sliding hinge decreases the potential for water WNC-2014-20 1.0 penetration into the container by increasing the water shedding abilities of the side walls. The sliding hinge increases the assembly ease of the final shipping container by aligning the side walls in their final position.

[0060] In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a,"
"an,"
"at least one," or "at least one portion" are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0061] Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0062] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:

1. A modular shipping container kit comprising:
a floor, a left side wall and a right side wall, the left and right side walls coupled to the floor, a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls coupled to the floor, and a roof, wherein the front and rear walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position where the front and rear walls extend along the floor and an erected support position where the front and rear walls extend upward away from the floor, wherein the left and right side walls are pivotable relative to the floor between a flattened transport position where the left and right side walls extend along the floor and an erected support position where the left and right side walls extend upward away from the floor.

2. The modular shipping container kit of claim 1, wherein the roof is configured to engage with upper portions of the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall when the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall are in the erected support position.

3. The modular shipping container kit of claim 2, wherein the roof is configured to lie over the front and rear walls when the front and rear walls are in the flattened transport position.

4. The modular shipping container kit of claim 1, further comprising a left sliding hinge coupled between the left side wall and the floor and a right sliding hinge coupled between the right side wall and the floor, the left and right sliding hinges configured to allow the left and right side walls to pivot relative to the floor.

5. The modular shipping container kit of claim 4, wherein the left sliding hinge includes a left bracket, a left sleeve, and a left fastener extending through the left bracket and the left sleeve, and wherein the right sliding hinge includes a right bracket, a right sleeve, and a right fastener extending through the right bracket and the right sleeve.

6. The modular shipping container kit of claim 5, wherein the floor includes a left side rail and a right side rail, the left and right side rails extending upward from the floor and along left and right side edges thereof.

7 The modular shipping container kit of claim 6, wherein the left sleeve is coupled to the left side rail and the left bracket is coupled to the left side wall to secure the left side wall to the floor when the left fastener is positioned through the left bracket and the left sleeve, and wherein the right sleeve is coupled to the right side rail and the right bracket is coupled to the right side wall to secure the right side wall to the floor when the right fastener is positioned through the right bracket and the right sleeve.

8. The modular shipping container kit of claim 7, wherein the left bracket is formed to include a left slot configured to receive the left fastener, wherein the left fastener is configured to slide in the left slot to allow the left side wall to pivot relative to the floor, wherein the right bracket is formed to include a right slot configured to receive the right fastener, and wherein the right fastener is configured to slide in the right slot to allow the right side wall to pivot relative to the floor.

9. The modular shipping container kit of claim 8, wherein an upper portion of the left bracket is coupled to the left side wall and a lower portion of the left bracket is spaced apart from the left side wall to define a left gap therebetween, and wherein an upper portion of the right bracket is coupled to the right side wall and a lower portion of the right bracket is spaced apart from the right side wall to define a right gap therebetween.

10. The modular shipping container kit of claim 9, wherein the left gap is configured to receive the left side rail when the left side wall is in the erected support position and wherein the right gap is configured to receive the right side rail when the right side wall is in the erected support position.

11. The modular shipping container kit of claim 6, wherein the front and rear walls include retainer flanges coupled to the left and right side rails such that the front and rear walls are pivotable relative to the floor.

12. The modular shipping container kit of claim 1, further comprising at least one clamp coupled between the roof and the body to secure the roof to the body.

13. The modular shipping container kit of claim 12, wherein each clamp includes a J-shaped channel engaged with the roof and the body and a fastener extending through a portion of the roof and the J-shaped channel.

14. A method of forming a shipping container from a modular shipping container kit, the method comprising:
pivoting a front wall relative to a floor to a generally upright position, pivoting a rear wall relative to the floor to a generally upright position, pivoting a left side wall relative to the floor to a generally upright position, pivoting a right side wall relative to the floor to a generally upright position, and securing a roof to at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising lowering the left side wall such that a left side rail of the floor is received in a left gap defined by the left side wall and a left sliding hinge coupled to the left side wall, and further comprising lowering the right side wall such that a right side rail of the floor is received in a right gap defined by the right side wall and a right sliding hinge coupled to the right side wall.