DE4410518C2 - Transport and / or storage container with removable side wall - Google Patents

Description

The invention is directed to a transport and / or storage container from a stable sub-floor and a container jacket with several verti kalen side walls, which in the empty state of the container around horizontal, be parallel side axes can be folded inwards, the pivot axes in the lower region of the side wall in question cantilever and within two, in the area of adjacent corners of the Unterbo dens arranged vertical U-profiles are rotatably supported, at least a side wall is releasably supported on the relevant U-profiles by the relevant pivot axes are designed as cylindrical pins, each in one of the two U-profiles are included.

For the storage and transport of light to medium-weight objects containers made of metal are usually used. So in the unused Zu If the space requirement can be reduced, the side walls can be turned in folded over and placed on top of each other. Since the side walls depending Size of the container can have a height of up to 1.5 m, it is recommended at least that to simplify the loading of such a container a side wall is detachably arranged. Because from a certain container height it is no longer possible for a person to bend over a container wall and insert or remove an object. A load with It is also impossible to use a forklift because it is unable to Lower loads inside the container. After all, even a Bela problem with the help of a crane, since its hook within the Container must be loosened and hung, which is also the case with tall containers is not possible from the outside.

In DE-OS 25 57 751 an articulated connection for a pallet-like trans port frame disclosed, with one or more side walls inwards on a  Base plate of the transport device can be pivoted. To this Purpose are at those corners of the base plate which are on the pivotable Adjacent sidewall, arranged vertical U-profiles that relate to the open the side wall. In it are the laterally protruding ends of the ver swiveling side wall inserted from above and by weight held. So that the swiveling side wall remains upright, it has via a second rod arranged above the swivel axis, which also into the U-profiles. To fold the side wall inwards, the upper rod must be moved upwards out of the U-profiles. The On the one hand, this construction is relatively simple, on the other hand, however, there is Danger that the folded inwards and possibly superimposed side walls in the event of an impact, such as one on an uneven surface Road lorries are the order of the day from the top U-profiles are thrown out and then uncontrolled on the loading surface slip.

This disadvantage is ver in the arrangement according to DE-OS 24 60 846 avoided by using an approximately U-shaped housing for the above standing ends of the pivot axis of a side wall is used, which too is closed at the top. Thus the screen can be used even with strong impacts tenwand not be accidentally detached from the rest of the container. However, this arrangement again has the disadvantage that it is due to the wide closed U-profile is no longer possible at all detachable side wall from the container, even if this was intended.

Furthermore, the US-PS 1 522 105 shows a framework for a pallet, the Sen sidewalls can be folded inwards, but not from the frame menverband can be solved. Instead, two are on one side mutually arranged flaps are provided, each facing outwards below can be folded down to provide access for loading and unloading the Be to create more. The two flaps each have a rectangle  frame, whose lower, horizontal strut by means of two elongated rings on a transverse strut of the flap underneath ren container part is pivotally hinged, and can for this reason never be detached from the container. Around the flaps in a closed position tion on the container wall, there along the entire flap opening each arranged vertically extending U-profiles, the open longitudinal egg to point to each other. On each flap there is an approximately U-shaped curve on the side ner bracket with welded ends protruding. These ends can be assigned to each level by lifting the flap in question brought neten recess in the outer U-leg and then through the These recesses are hung through on the side wall or from the sides wall be solved, so that the flap in question is only on the elongated rings is connected to the container. Now serves the of those concerned fenden rings around the edge of the flap as a pivot axis, and after the complete pivoting the same ar on a hook-like clip saved. This arrangement has the disadvantage that a lateral locking Flap additional stirrups are present, which are far above the turn Kachse are so that even when this side bracket is completely disengaged nevertheless the pivot axis remains connected to the container and the flap can never be completely solved. Hence this mechanism at all not transferable to an entire side wall, since the same without loosening the Swivel axis should not be swiveled further than the ground could and would then be in the way of the staff. The mechanism is accordingly limited to smaller flaps so that the lower area of the side wall too cannot be removed when the container is fully open and the loading and Unloading work hindered.

Finally, CH-PS 622 472 shows a locking device for one Frame association, which can also be placed on a pallet or the like. Here two opposite side walls with the support plate of the pallet un The parentheses are attached to the side and then through the  closing the remaining pages held together so that they are cannot detach from the pallet. This is due to disk-like thickening on in the area of the upper and lower edge laterally from the attached sides cantilevered bolts made in the undercut recess against the vertical end posts of the other sides. Based on these with undercuts, it is not possible to use any of the fold down four side walls of the frame assembly inwards. Furthermore are the laterally protruding bolts are not accommodated in U-shaped elements, instead they pass through a slot-like recess in a facing one Long side of the vertical post formed as a rectangular hollow profile adjacent side wall, while the molded on the face of the bolts, disc-shaped thickenings are located within the rectangular hollow profile and prevent pulling out of the slot. As a result of the necessary hints The bolt shafts must be tapered and have an effect moreover together with approximately line-shaped slit edges, so that even with low lateral forces very high shear forces on the bolt sheep act, which can therefore be easily bent or even broken off. This container construction is therefore extremely susceptible to carelessness handling and cannot withstand the rough operation in warehouses resist.

From the above disadvantages of devices known from the prior art the problem initiating the invention results in a collapsible container ter to develop such that at least one side wall are removed can; special attention should be paid to the fact that the side walls cannot accidentally release, especially in the folded position, and that the brackets of the detachable side wall are not be even in rough operation can be damaged.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a generic Transport and / or storage container before that the removable side wall with  their swivel axes are stored in box-shaped housings, with min at least a bearing of the side wall by a notch in one limit of the housing can be removed.

Pins with an approximately round outer cross section allow the detachable sides twisted a pivoting movement about the longitudinal axis of the horizontal pin, so far the connecting elements arranged in the upper region of the side wall have been separated from each other. This makes it possible, for example, to solve the problem right side wall when the container is empty to reduce the space required fold down inside and place on the sub-floor.

By making the housings box-shaped and on their upper end de have a cover ensures that the detachable side wall in not inadvertently folded upwards out of the slot can jump out. This is particularly important when transporting together placed container in a truck, for example, during the Driving through potholes or the like. Vertical impacts can occur.

Because of the top cover of the enclosure, it is not possible to cover the sides wall by a pure vertical movement from the holder. Instead of the side wall in the raised state must additionally to the outside be moved to the horizontal pin of the pivot axis to the outside to lead. In the opposite direction of movement, the side wall must first hori inserted zonally in the housing and then locked by lowering the.

A useful development of the invention is that the height of the notch corresponds approximately to the height or diameter of the pin. One on the one hand, the height of the notch must never be less than the height or the Diameter of a pin to be passed through. On the other hand, the out  not too big not too large, so that the side wall does not unintentionally can release the bracket.

Dimensioning in which the distance between the Bottom edge of the notch and the bottom of the housing about half the height he or half the diameter of the pin. The notch should be arranged at least so high that the relevant pin in the direction of Width of the enclosure is still adequately managed. Especially in cross-section Circular cones are only in the area of half their height the inner side of the housing and therefore require a relative Notch placed far up.

On the other hand, the distance between the top edge of the notch and the Covering the housing about half the height or half the diameter correspond to the pin. While the previous design specification proved to be favorable with regard to the vertically suspended side wall the present feature important for the transport of the Be invention container when folded. Because here are the individual side walls de only loosely on one another and can therefore move in the event of impacts. Often times the detachable side wall is not first folded inwards, but on the The opposite wall, already folded, is placed on top. Move here the horizontal pivots within the relevant housings up until they lie against their cover. Must also be in this position ensure sufficient lateral guidance of the pins in the vertical U-profiles to ensure that the side wall does not move out of position as a result of an impact can solve problems. This is achieved by the present design specification.

Further advantages can be achieved in that the pins have an extension form the lower frame part of the detachable side wall. By an extension tion of the lower frame part of the detachable side wall as a horizontal pin serves for the U-profile pin connection according to the invention, the An is unnecessary  construction of an additional pin, so that the manufacture can be greatly simplified can.

It is within the scope of the invention that the housings on the vertical Kan adjacent side walls or at a corner connected to the underbody arranged sheets and are open to the detachable side wall, and that the Project the pins from the vertical edges of the removable side wall.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by additional, Disengageable connections from one eyelet each with an approximately horizontal window level and one pin each with an approximately vertical longitudinal axis, which removes the eyelet reaches through. Due to the vertical arrangement of the spigot, this can be used for the on lift the side wall from the eyelet in question and when lowering the Insert the side wall into this. The detachable side wall is in a hooked state almost immovable in the horizontal direction and thus contributes to increasing the Stability of the container casing.

It has proven useful that the eyelet-pin connections in the upper Area of the vertical edges of the container are arranged. In the upper area an intimate strut of adjacent side walls of the container is essential bar to give the overall arrangement sufficient stability. Erfin eyelet-pin connections according to the invention can be made with a minimum Produce backlash and are therefore able to sway the container exclude walls almost completely.

Additional features, details, and advantages are provided based on the invention derive from the following description of an embodiment of the invention as well as the drawing. Here show:

FIG. 1 shows a transport invention and / or storage container in via spectral positivist view;

Fig. 2 shows the detail II from Fig. 1 in front view,

Fig. 3 shows the detail III from Fig. 1 in a slightly different, perspective view,

Fig. 4 is a section through the Fig. 3 along the line IV-IV,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of detail V of Fig. 1 with the inwardly folded rear wall of the container,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of detail III of Fig. 1 with the inwardly folded and defined on the rear wall of the front wall of the container,

Fig. 7 is a view of detail V from Fig. 1 in a different Perspecti ve with inwardly folded and defined on the front wall of the transverse wall,

Fig. 8 is a view of the Fig. 7 in the direction VIII, wherein a piled container is indicated by dash-dotted lines,

FIG. 9 is a representation corresponding to FIG. 1 of a container which is prepared for stacking a container with approximately half the base area, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the detail X from FIG. 9 in the front view.

In Fig. 1, a container 1 for transporting and / or storing light to medium-weight objects is shown. For reasons of stability, all parts of the container 1 are made of metal.

The container 1 consists of a rectangular underbody 2 with two short peripheral sides 3 and two long peripheral sides 4 . There is a side wall 5 , 6 , 7 above the peripheral sides 3 , 4 of the underbody 2 . According to the usual loading direction, one of the two side walls parallel to the longitudinal sides 4 of the underbody 2 is referred to below as the front wall 5 , the other as the rear wall 6 , while the remaining two side walls are formed by the transverse walls 7 .

All side walls 5-7 are formed from a rectangular frame 8 , the inner, window-like recess 9 of a coarse-mesh grid 10 from vertical bars 11 and horizontal bars 12 are so ver closed that falling through larger objects is excluded.

The front wall 5 is detachably attached to the container 1 . For this purpose, two releasable connections are provided between the vertical edges 13 of the frame 8 of the front wall 5 and the adjacent vertical edges 14 of the transverse walls 7 . The two connections in the upper region of the container 1 are shown enlarged in FIG. 2. A horizontal tab 15 is welded to the vertical edge 14 of the transverse wall 7 in such a way that its longitudinal axis is oriented in the direction of the vertical edge 13 of the front wall 5 . Approximately at the same height is on the vertical edge 13 of the frame 8 of the front wall 5 ei ne further tab 16 welded, which wall 5 partially covers the tab 15 in the suspended state. While there is a vertical bore 17 in the tab 15 , there is a peg-like extension 19 with a vertical longitudinal axis on the underside 18 of the tab 16 , the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore 17 . By hooking the pin 19 into the bore 17 , the front wall 5 can be connected to the transverse walls 7 in the region of its upper corners.

The connection 15-19 is in the suspended state of the front wall 5 very inflexible, since the front wall 5 can carry out no movement with the exception of vertical lifting. In order to be able to fold the container 1 in an empty state to save space, the front wall 5 and the other side walls 6 , 7 can also be folded inwards. Therefore, in the lower region of the container 1, more flexible connections between the front wall and the other elements of the container 1 are provided. Such a connection can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The underbody panel 2 is attached to a rectangular frame 20 made of rectangular hollow profiles 21 . In the area of the lower corners 22 , 23 of the container 1 , a vertical angle profile 25 is welded to the outer sides 24 of two rectangular hollow profiles 21 which abut one another at right angles, in which the foldable transverse walls 7 are mounted under which. The front wall 5 is also suspended in its lower area on the two adjacent angle profiles 25 . For this purpose, the horizontal lower edge 26 of the frame 8 of the front wall 5 over the in the area of the vertical angle profile 25 inwards verver, vertical edge 27 of the frame 8 in the form of a horizontal, zapfenarti gene extension 28 extended. This horizontal pin 28 is located on a hung front wall 5 in a vertical housing 29 , which is arranged within the ver tical angle profile 25 . The housing 29 is formed by the front leg 30 of the vertical angle profile 25 on the one hand and by a verti cal plate 31 on the other hand, which is arranged at a distance behind the front leg 30 , which corresponds approximately to the thickness of the frame 8 of the front wall 5 . In addition, the slot 29 is delimited at its lower end by the base plate 2 , on which the lower edge of the front wall 5 is seated in the suspended state.

In order to be able to fold the front wall 5 like the other side walls 6 , 7 inwards, the extension 28 as well as the entire lower edge 26 of the front wall 5 is designed as a hollow profile with a round cross section. Usually, when the container 1 is put together , the rear wall 6 is first folded down and then the front wall 5 , so that it rests on the rear wall 6 . For this reason, the lower edge 26 and thus also the projections 28 aligned therewith move upward by approximately the thickness of the frame 8 of the rear wall 6 , which is shown in FIG. 6. Thus, even in this position esterification even at a Erschüt the pin-like protrusions 28 can not loosen from their housings 29, these are limited at its top by means of plate each having a horizontal completion 32nd The distance of the plate 32 from the underbody 2 and thus the height of the housing 29 corresponds approximately to the sum of the diameter of the extension 28 and the thickness of the frame 8 of the rear wall 6 .

In order to detach the front wall 5 from the container 1 , the extensions 28 have to be moved out of the relevant housings 29 . Due to the upper end plates 32 , this is not possible by a pure lifting movement. An approximately rectangular notch 33 is therefore formed in the area of the housings 29 on the front legs 30 of the vertical angle profiles 25 . This he stretches from the inner edge 34 of the front leg 30 of the same in the case of the angled angle profiles 25 in the form of a horizontal slot in the direction of the outer corner edge 35 . The (horizontal) depth of the notch 33 corresponds approximately to the length of the extension 28 , while the (vertical) width of the notch 33 is slightly larger than the diameter of the extension 28 . The (horizontal) center line of the notch 33 is located approximately halfway up the housing 29 . In order to unhook the front wall 5 , it must first be raised to such an extent that the extensions 28 are located approximately at the level of the notch 33 . Thereupon, these sets 28 can be removed by a horizontal movement of the front wall 5 from the housing 29 conditions.

So that the front wall 5, however, neither in the suspended position. Fig. 3 still in the folded position. Fig. 6 accidentally from the housings 29 can solve, the distance between the lower edge 36 to the base plate 2 and the distance from the upper edge 37 to the horizontal end plate 32 each Weil greater than half the diameter of the extension 28 in question .

Of FIG. 1 it can be seen that a base is located beneath each gusset 21, 23 38. Figs. 3 and 4 show particularly clearly that each - base 38 is formed from a bent to an approximately U-shaped bracket flat iron. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the longitudinal axis of the stirrup-like feet 38 is located vertically below a respective transverse wall 7 . When the transverse wall 7 is folded inwards, the base 38 sits on conventional lower containers 39 on the lower edges 39 of the transverse wall 7 of the container 1 below it, so that overall there is a large stack height. The reduction of this stack height is used in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

Fig. 5 shows the rear, left corner 23 of the container 1 of Fig. 1. The lower edge 40 of the rear wall 6 has on its outer end faces a coaxial screw 41 , which has a vertical slot 42 in the side leg 43 of the vertical angle section 25th enforced (see Fig. 8). Thereby, the rear wall is supported liftably in a limited extent 6, thus arranged in the upper region of connection elements to the lateral walls 7 of the eyelet and tenon joint 15 - 19 correspond, can be solved. The rear wall 6 can then be folded inwards and placed on the underbody 2 , as shown in FIG. 5.

Thereupon, the front wall 5 is likewise unhooked from the eyelet-like bores 17 and pivoted inward about its lower edge 26 , so that it rests approximately parallel to the underbody 2 on the folded rear wall 6 . In this state, the transverse walls 7 are held in their vertical position by welded latches 44 on the vertical edges 14 . For this purpose, the locking lugs 44 engage in wedge-shaped notches 45 in the upper edge 46 of the legs 30 , 47 of the vertical angle profiles 25 which are respectively arranged at the front or at the rear of the container 1 . By slightly lifting the transverse walls 7 , the locking lugs 44 can be released from the notches 45 , so that the transverse walls 7 can be pivoted inward about their lower edges 39 .

This is made possible by the fact that coaxial screws 49 are inserted into the end faces 48 of the lower edges 39 of the transverse walls 7 , the shafts 50 of which each have a slot-shaped recess 51 in the legs 30 , 47 of the vertical angle profiles located in the front or rear of the container 1 25 by gripping and thereby rotatably mounted in it. The longitudinal axes of the slot-shaped recesses 51 run in their outer region approximately parallel to an edge 53 of the notch 45 , so that the detents 44 can be lifted out of the notches 45 .

So that the lower edges 39 of the folded side walls 7 are not in the way of the feet 38 of a stacked container 1 , the transverse walls 7 can be displaced in addition to their pivoting movement towards the center of the container. This is made possible by the course of the slot-shaped recesses 51 in the vertical angle profiles 25 . The slot-shaped recesses 51 extend at an inclined angle upwards, but at the same time also towards the middle of the container. When moving along the slots 51 , the transverse wall 7 is thus raised on the one hand, but on the other hand moved towards the interior of the container. In order to ensure a stable end position of the lower edges 39 in the area 54 of the slot-shaped recess 51 facing the center of the container, the longitudinal axis de ren in this region 54 extends downward towards the center of the container. When the transverse wall 7 is shifted inwards, it must therefore first be raised until it has reached the apex of the slot 51 and now slides into the area 54 of the slots 51 facing the center of the container due to its own weight. In this position, the transverse wall 7 can easily be placed on the folded front wall 5 .

Between the side legs 43 of the vertical angle profiles 25 and the inwardly moved lower edge 39 of the transverse walls 7 , a gap has now arisen into which the bow-like feet 38 of another container 1 can be immersed. So that such a stacked container 1 can be placed in a defined manner, 25 horizontal support surfaces 57 are arranged on the inner sides 56 of all four vertical angle irons. To reduce the construction effort, the support surfaces 57 of the two front angle profiles 24 are identical to the horizontal end plates 32 for the housings 29 .

In addition, on the underside of the vertical angle profiles 25 circumferential, outwardly projecting edges 58 are present, which come to rest when stacked on a folded container 1 at the upper edges 46 of its vertical win profile 25 and thereby stack the containers 1 according to the invention in an orderly manner collapsed condition.

Claims (7)

1. Transport and / or storage container, consisting of a load-bearing sub-floor ( 2 ) and a container jacket with several vertical side walls ( 5-7 ), which can be folded inwards when the container ( 1 ) is empty about horizontal pivot axes parallel to the relevant side wall the pivot axes project from the relevant side wall in the lower region and are rotatably held within two vertical U-profiles ( 25 ) arranged in the region of adjacent corners ( 22 ) of the underbody ( 2 ), at least one side wall ( 5 ) is detachably supported on the relevant U-profiles ( 25 ) by the respective pivot axes being designed as cylindrical pins ( 28 ) which are each accommodated in one of the two U-profiles ( 29 ), characterized in that the removable side wall ( 5 ) is mounted with its pivot axes in box-shaped housings ( 29 ), at least one bearing point of the side wall ( 5 ) being notched ung ( 33 ) in an outer boundary ( 30 ) of the housing ( 29 ) can be removed. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the notch ( 33 ) corresponds approximately to the height or the diameter of the pin ( 28 ). 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance between the lower edge ( 36 ) of the notch ( 33 ) and the bottom ( 2 ) of the housing ( 29 ) at least about half the height or half the diameter of the pin ( 28 ) corresponds. 4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the distance between the upper edge ( 37 ) of the notch ( 33 ) and the cover ( 32 ) of the housing ( 29 ) at least about half the height or half the diameter of the pin ( 28 ) corresponds. 5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pins ( 28 ) form an extension of the lower frame part ( 26 ) of the detachable side wall ( 5 ). 6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by additional, detachable connections each consisting of an eyelet ( 17 ) with an approximately horizontal window plane and a pin ( 19 ) with an approximately vertical longitudinal axis which detachably engages through the eyelet ( 17 ). 7. A container according to claim 6, characterized in that the eyelet-pin connections ( 15-19 ) in the upper region of the vertical edges ( 13 , 14 ) of the container ( 1 ) are arranged.