DE2223650A1 - Modular container system - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS F.W. HEMMERICH ■ GERD MÜLLER ■ D.GROSSE 22 199

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8.5.1972

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AVCO Corp., Greenwich, Conn. O683O / USA Container modular system

This invention relates to a container unit that is so constructed and arranged that it is easily associated with a number of identical container units and can be connected in such a way that a container in the for the standard transport devices or handling devices suitable standard dimensions arise. to the Containezm include vertical braces made of angle steel detachable tab connections at their lower and upper ends, which form a side connection of the container unit with adjacent ones Enable container units. Additional tab connections allow vertical connection with other stacked ones Container units. A number of specific tab arrangements are described.

This invention is concerned with container subassemblies, but is more particularly concerned with devices that combine enable these container sub-units in container groups.

As for the fast transport of goods from the point of departure to the destination As far as is concerned, great strides have been made in recent years. Despite these advances remain however, there are still a number of problems or problem areas to be solved.

The area of container transport is one of the most important problems. If the goods are to be forwarded using different means of transport, then they must be transported in suitable Container can be unpacked. The dimensions of these containers often require considerable idle times at a terminal, because a full load intended for shipment from a Series of partial loads must be packed together. Furthermore

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it is often necessary to unpack the container at certain points in order to pick up one of the partial loads contained in the container can be found.

All of these factors make the bulk turnover of goods considerable extended, which in turn means longer transport times in addition to possible theft and possible damage will.

The aim of this invention is therefore to create a container sub-unit or a container unit, which together · with others Container sub-units or container units combined to form a container in the standard dimensions and with one another can be connected in such a way that all normal loads acting on the containers, in a suitable manner can be endured.

This is done by means of a container unit or a container sub-unit achieved the aforementioned general design, consisting of a substantially rectangular box with vertical struts composed of angle steel on at least two of the vertical edges of the box. Near the top and the bottom Part of the vertical struts there is a connecting strap that connects to the side with the vertical strut of the adjacent container or the adjacent container subunit can be connected, so that in this way the container subunits or container units are connected to one another and secured from strut to strut.

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PATENT LAWYERS F .W. H E M M E R IC H · G E R D MÜ L L E R - D. G R O SSE 22 199

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This invention will now be described below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing (the one shown in the drawing Embodiments) explained in more detail. The drawing shows in: -

Fig. 1 is a perspective representation of a group of

Container sub-units or of container units as the subject of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a number of

Container sub-units or of container units of this invention with particular emphasis on the tab devices with which the container units be connected to each other.

Fig. 3 A partial view on an enlarged scale, namely of one of the struts and the tab devices of the container sub-units or container units from Fig. 2.

Fig. K A greatly enlarged illustration of one of the

Tab devices or connecting devices from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in the position in which a lateral connection to the neighboring Striving is given.

Figure 5 A view taken on lines 5-5 of Figure k.

Fig. 6 Another lashing device or connecting device For lateral connection of the container sub-units or container units shown in FIG.

Figure 7 is a view taken on lines 7-7 of Figure 6.

8 is an enlarged perspective representation of a yet another embodiment of a tab device for connecting the container units according to Fi / '. 1,

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9 shows a side view of another strap device for connecting the container sub-units shown with FIG. 1 or container units.

FIG. 10 A view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is now shown in simplified form a series of container sub-units or of container units 10 which are constructed in accordance with this invention so that they can be used to form a large or small group of container sub-units or of Container units can be connected to one another in a detachable manner. Each container sub-unit or container unit 10 consists of a substantially rectangular box 12 with vertical profile struts Ik belonging to the box on the vertical edges. The lower part of each strut is extended beyond the box 12 in such a way that a cavity 13 results, which in turn enables the forks of a forklift truck to be attached in four ways. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that these struts can be designed in their shape and in their dimensions so that they then withstand the maximum expected pressure load that could act on the container unit 10 when this container unit is is located at the bottom of a stack of containers, as is the case, for example, in a ship hold.

As can be seen very clearly from FIG. 3, each strut 14 has a recess 16 in its upper part, into which then a pin 18, which is incorporated at the lower end of a container sub-unit or a container unit, when stacking on top of each other the container units is used. This in turn becomes the container sub-units or container units

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aligned in such a way that they can withstand, for example, the transverse forces or shear stresses between the lower and upper container sub-units or container units when a side load acts on a layer of the stacked container sub-units or container units belonging to a group and 17 of the struts Ik correspond to the standardization regulations for transport containers, which have been drawn up by various standardization organizations. These standards organizations include: the International Standards Organization (ISO), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SÄE). The elongated holes I9 in the end plates I5 and 17 allow the use of normal hooks or normal shackles for lifting the container sub-units or container units, but also groups of these container sub-units or container units.

To connect the stacked Containex - part units or container units with one another, tabs or tab devices are used, which are identified in Fig. 1 with the general reference number 20. According to Fig. 2, the tab device includes a lever 21 which is rotatably and pivotably mounted in the upper edge of the container unit, but which is also provided with an end position bolt 22 which can engage a hook 2k in the bottom of the container that would be placed on top of the first-mentioned container. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that these latches or latches can be selected from any number of end position latches which can withstand tensile stresses or tensile loads.

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For the side connection or the safety side between the container sub-units or the container units are near the upper part and the lower part of the struts 14 tab devices attached, which are identified in Fig. 1 with the general reference number 26. Are from the construction these tab devices 26 designed and arranged in such a way that of them then the bending stresses and the shear stresses across the connecting surfaces between the container sub-units that arise when lifting the container unit group during transport. Other designs of these tab devices 26 will be described in detail later in this patent application to be discribed. In any case, however, these tabs consist of a first structural element 25 »with a strut and engage in a detachable manner in a second structural element 27 Hn of the adjacent strut can.

According to FIG. 4, a certain embodiment of the tab device consists of a web 28 which is eccentrically connected to a socket 30 so as to be rotatable and pivotable about an axis 32, the axis 32 being in the upper flange 34 and in the lower flange 36 of a strut 14 is stored. The axle 32 is held in the flanges 34 and 36 by means of a nut 38 which is screwed onto the axle. In the free end of the web part 28 a bore 40 is machined, which is designed such that it is aligned with the bores 42 and 44 in the upper flange 46 and the lower flange 48 of the adjacent strut. In terms of construction, a bolt 50 provided with a handle 52 is designed in such a way that it is detachably inserted into the bores 44, 40 and 42.

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can be set and then over the web part or over the web 28 connects the adjacent struts and si ⁴ -chert. By means of suitable locking devices or teeth 5h at the tip of the bolt 50, this bolt 50 is held in the set position. If the web 28 is not used to connect adjacent struts Ik , it is pivoted into a position in which its bore kO is aligned with the bores 56 and 58 in the flanges 3k and 36, respectively. In this position, the bolt is k2 through the bores 58, kO and 56 out to set around the bolt in the adjusted position, this -As especially from FIG. 3 is ^visible.

To compensate for misalignments between two adjacent container units 10, the axis 32 is rotated so that the center of the bushing is displaced to a limited extent with respect to the bores k2 and kk in order to align the bore kO with the aforementioned bores k2 and allow kk. Once this has happened, the bolt 50 can be used. In order to be able to fix the tab device in this position, a locking plate 62 with a knurled opening 6k is placed telescopically on a knurled bushing 60 on the axis 32. To the plate 62 are planar or flat surfaces 66 which abut against the strut so I ^ that the locking plate 62 and the bushing 60 are prevented from rotating.

6 now shows another embodiment of the lashing device for laterally connecting or laterally securing the struts. In this construction, the two lever arms 68 and 70 are rotatably and pivotably connected to the circular plates 72 and 7k via the bolt constructions 76 and 78, whereby

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in which the plates Tk and 72 are arranged at a certain distance from one another, the free ends of the levers 68 and 72 also being designed in such a way that they can swing out and can be brought into connection with one another, as well as with an adjacent one Strut I ^ ', via a bolt 79 which is screwed into a bore 81. In order to be able to compensate for misalignments with respect to the adjacent struts, the bolt constructions J6 and 78 are arranged offset with respect to the axes of the plates J2 and fh, as can be seen from FIG. 7. To bring about a precise alignment, the plates 72 and 7 ^ are rotated so that the levers 68 and 70 move and thereby enable an alignment of the bolt 78 with the opening 81 in the strut of the adjacent container sub-unit or the adjacent container unit. When the plates 72 and Jk are in the precise positions assigned to them, the bolt structures j6 and 78 are tightened firmly in order to lock them in precisely that position.

Fig. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the tab device for the container units. This construction consists of a conical nut 80 which is screwed onto a bolt 82 which is connected to a pin 84 which is rotatably and pivotably mounted in the web 86 of one of the struts. The conical nut 80 is designed and constructed to fit into the conical bores 88 and 90 of the adjacent struts, can be aligned with the conical bores 88 and 90 of the adjacent struts. The dimensions of the bolt 82 are designed such that they can be inserted into a lateral slot 92, but the conical bushing cannot. If the conical nut 80 is not used, the bolt & 2

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released so that the conical nut 80 is pivoted through the slot 92 into a position on the left-hand side and is fixed there by fastening the in a conical recess 9k. If adjacent struts are to be connected to one another and secured using the conical nut 80, then the bolt 82 is loosened, whereupon the entire structure is again pivoted so that it is located in the open end of the opening 90. Then the bolt rotated so that the conical nut 80 is drawn into the conical recesses 88 and 99 and thereby holds the container units together.

Another flap device is shown with FIGS. 9 and 10. In this construction, a handle 92 is pivotably and rotatably connected to a strut 1Λ "'by means of a bolt connection 9k . The handle SZ includes a bolt 96 which is offset radially outward with respect to the bolt connection 9k. This bolt 96 forms the pivot point for a hook 98 which is provided with a recess 100 which in turn hooks into a bolt 102 which is mounted such that it extends across the recess 104 in an adjacent strut Ik '·'.

If a connection with the adjacent strut 14 ^{Ml is} to be established, then the handle 92 is pivoted away from the strut lk '''in such a way that the recess 100 belonging to the hook 98 can engage in the bolt 102, the end position property of the bolt 96 in the handle 92 pulls the adjacent struts Ik · '' together and then holds them in this position.

With this arrangement, the adjacent container units or container sub-units then firmly together

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pulled when the handle 92 is pivoted past top dead center. With this arrangement, moreover, considerable vertical shear stresses can be transmitted between the recesses IQk and the hook.

It should of course be clear that all tab devices As is the case with the arrangement according to FIG. 1, they can be arranged in an alternating sequence offset by the same To achieve flexibility.

In this context it should be noted that this invention does not only apply to such container sub-units or Container units with vertical profile struts on the four Edges limited · In certain applications, the container sub-units or container units can have two struts have, namely one strut at each end of the vertical wall belonging to the container sub-unit or the container unit. In this arrangement, the vertical struts are located in a grouping of container units the outer walls, the device for connecting and securing adjacent container units being the same Devices remain. The struts offer for this reason a support, rather a vertical support, for the outer edges of the two container sub-units or container units, while the bending stresses from the side connections be transferred between the two container units. This in turn leads to a considerable reduction in weight with the individual container subunit or with the individual container unit.

By means of the aforementioned tab devices, the container units can be easily and reliably too much different groupings. The arrival

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bringing the tab devices to the outer edges does this Easily accessible for inspections while a group of container units is being put together.

Now, because the flap devices are attached to the vertical struts up and down, they can _f gen the Biegebanspruchun- which then arise when the container group be raised either from below or from the outermost edges thereof by means of normal hoists, also absorb better. In addition, the devices can withstand essentially all shear stresses at the connection points between the container sub-units or the container units - these shear stresses can be very considerable. The embodiment according to FIG. 8 is particularly suitable for this purpose, because the conical nut transmits all shear loads and the bolt transmits all tensile loads.

By the previously described container part units or Container units, the efficiency in cargo handling is increased considerably. These container units allow one Transport of goods from the place of origin to the place of destination without the need for a bulk transshipment of goods, which in turn is also necessary this leads to the possibility of theft and damage being largely avoided or reduced. The container sub-units can also easily be grouped in the container standard dimensions to facilitate the handling of goods and transport.

ORiGiNAt INSPECTED 209850/0743

Claims (1)

PATENT LAWYERS F.W. HEMMERICH ■ GERD MÜLLER · D. GROSSE 22 199 - bra - /.β 8.5.1972 -Al- AVCO Corp., Greenwich, Conn. 06830 / USA patent claims : 1.) Container sub-unit or container unit which is constructed and laid out in such a way that it can be connected to other and adjacent container sub-units or container units. This container sub-unit or container unit
characterized in that it includes: a substantially rectangular box; Vertical profile struts that at least two to one wall form vertical edges belonging to the box; Locking devices or tab devices on the upper part and are attached to the lower part of the aforementioned struts in such a way that they are the side connection to an adjacent one Can produce container unit, the aforementioned tab devices are able to between the two adjacent container sub-units or container units, the tensile stresses and the To be able to absorb shear stresses. INSPECTED 209850/0743 2223R50 22 199 - bh - fo 8.5.1972 - A 2 - 2. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 1, characterized in that from the construction, the aforementioned locking device or tab device is carried out in this way is that to compensate for misalignments between the adjacent container units they are in can be moved to a limited extent. 3. Container subunit or container unit according to claim I ₁ characterized in that first structural elements and second structural elements for the aforementioned flap devices that are designed to interlock; the aforementioned first structural element close is attached to the upper end of a strut on the right edge of the wall, but also close the lower end of the strut on the left side of the aforementioned wall; the aforementioned second structural element is attached near the lower end of the strut on the right side of the wall, but also near the upper end of the strut on the left side of the wall; through this the flap device with regard to assembly with similar devices in the adjacent container unit a certain flexibility guaranteed. h, container sub-unit or container unit according to claim 3i characterized in that the
constructive parts belonging to the aforementioned flap device 2098 5 0/0743 2223350 22 199 - bra - A>, 8 May 1972 • '- A 3 - tion element a bar or a bracket with a hole which is rotatably or pivotably attached to one of the aforementioned struts; finally the second construction element consists of at least one flange, which has an opening, and a bolt, which is detachable Connect the container unit through the hole in the web or bracket and through the opening in the flange to be led. Container subunit or container unit according to claim k _t characterized in that a central axis that is rotatable in the aforementioned strut also belongs to the aforementioned lashing device and is pivotably mounted; on the axis and eccentrically to -ihr a socket is placed, which is for the Swivel element element forms a bearing, the Bushing can be rotated over a limited distance to the Schwenkeleraent over a limited distance such align so that the hole in the pivot member is aligned with the opening in the flange. Container part unit or container unit according to claim 5 » characterized in that the above-mentioned tab device also includes a knurled bushing that attaches to the above-mentioned eccentric bushing is placed, but also a locking element which is telescopically placed on the aforementioned socket and to prevent rotation of the eccentric bushing on the strut. ORIGINAL INSPECTED 209850/07 k 3 7223650 22 199 - bh 8.5.1972 - A 4 - 7 · Container subunit or container unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned tab device includes a pair of levers, the first ends of which are arranged at a distance from one another and are rotatably mounted in the struts already mentioned; from the construction the aforementioned levers are designed so that they are attached together or together to the adjacent strut, with results in a triangular connection between two adjacent container sub-units or container units, 8. Container subunit or container unit according to Claim 7 » characterized in that the pivot connection of the two aforementioned levers consists of eccentric plates attached to the struts and are designed in such a way that they can rotate while in view of one adjacent container unit can bring the first ends of the levers into position, 9 · Container subunit or container unit according to claim 8, characterized in that there is a device with which the aforementioned eccentric plates are fixed in a predetermined position can be. 10. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 1, characterized in that
to the bracket device a conical and on a bolt 209850/0743 223-50 22 199 - bra - 4 05/08/1972 - A 5 - is screwed on, which is rotatably and pivotably connected to one of the aforementioned struts in connection; in these Brace a substantially conical hole machined and onto a conical hole in an adjacent one Strut is aligned so that when the bolt is tightened, the struts are aligned and are releasably connected together, the conical element exerting significant shear stress at the joint between the struts, but the bolt can withstand the tensile stresses caused by the bending . 11. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 10, characterized in that the aforementioned conical socket once belongs to the upper edge of a strut, which is assigned to an end wall is, but on the other hand to the lower edge of a strut at the other end of this wall. 12, container division or container unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned tab device includes: a handle pivotably connected to one of the aforementioned struts; a rotatable and pivotable hook attached to this handle, with the pivot point of the hook opposite the pivot point of the handle is shifted, whereby the hook is designed in such a way from the construction, that it engages in a bolt of the adjacent strut, so that when the handle is pivoted, the adjacent struts are drawn together. ORIGINAL INSPECTED 22 199 - bra ?? 8.5.1972 - A 6 - 13. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 11,
characterized in that the pivoting handle is attached once to the upper end of one strut, namely on one edge the wall, but on the other hand at the lower end of a strut on the other edge of the same wall. lh. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 12,
characterized in that With regard to the arrangement of the handles, the bolts are arranged alternately in such a way that the hooks the neighboring container units intervene in them can. 15 · Container subunit or container unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that four struts belong to this container unit; the already mentioned releasable connecting device or Flap device each composed of a first structural element and a second structural element, on all end faces of the container unit; from each strut one surface into the neighboring one Walls is taken in; for each strut the first structural element belonging to the strap device is attached to the upper surface of the strut belonging to one wall, the second structural element, however on the lower part of the strut part belonging to the same wall, while with the other strut on that of the neighboring one Wall associated upper part of the surface that 209850/0743 2 2 7 3 ° 5 Π 22 199 - bra - ^ 8.5.1972 second structural element attached to the tab device is, but the first construction element is at the bottom Part of the strut taken into the adjacent wall; the container sub-units or the container units in any orientation to container unit groupings to inhale £ -; e can be grasped 16. Containsr sub-unit or container unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that to her "locking devices or tab devices belong, which a detachable connection of this container unit with an upper or a lower container unit so that the container sub-units or container units can be stacked vertically. 17 · Contaiiier part unit or container unit according to claim l6,
characterized in that the vertical struts with attachment pins and attachment openings are provided which engage the pins and the pin receiving opening when stacked of container units while keeping the horizontal directed shear stresses between the stacked Can withstand container units, 18. Container subunit or container unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that the four vertical struts to below the essentially rectangular box are guided, so that a cavity is formed into which a lifting device to fourfold Way to raise the container unit * ORIGIMM WSPECTtD 209850/0743 2223S50 22 199 - bra - 8.5.1972 - A 8 - 19 Grouping of partial container units or of container units, characterized in that it includes: several essentially rectangular box units, each box with at least two vertical profile struts on the edges of the box; finally Locking devices or tab devices for laterally connecting the aforementioned container units, wherein the releasable side connection established by the tab device the tensile stresses and the shear stresses SV & achen the container units can withstand * 20, grouping of container sub-units or of container units according to claim 19, characterized in that to the releasable connecting device or tab device, a first structural element on the one Strut and a second structural element belong to the adjacent strut, which interlock in such a way that that a connection is established between the container units; the aforementioned first and second structural units are arranged on the struts in alternation, in such a way that a grouping of container units can be put together. 21. Grouping of container units according to claim 20, characterized in that furthermore a tab connection for the detachable vertical connection of container sub-units or of container units is provided, the container units can be stacked vertically. - End - 209 850/07 ORIGINAL