EP2904924B1 - Transport container and retrofitting set - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport container, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a retrofit kit according to the preamble of claim 21. Such transport containers have long been known. For example, so-called suitcases are widely used by business people, but increasingly also by tourists traveling by public transport such as railways. About extendable telescopic handles, which are attached to the underside of the container or case concerned, and on rollers, which are also at the bottom of the relevant transport container, but the telescopic handle storage opposite stored, the transport container can easily pull, with a substantial part the weight of the objects received in the transport container is supported by the rollers so that the movement relative to, for example, a suitcase carried in the hand is considerably facilitated.

In such transport containers, the problem is that the rollers must be picked up and stored. Although it is possible to store them at the bottom of the corner of the relevant transport container, such as suitcases. This would provide the advantage that the interior of the container is free of storage facilities, so that a substantially cuboid interior could be provided. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that the rollers then clearly protrude from the otherwise cuboidal outer shape of the transport container and are prone to damage.

Such a transport container, for example, be specified for the inclusion of loads by 30 kg, which, on the other hand, requires that the storage and design of the rollers must be chosen to be stable in order to prevent the rollers and their storage are destroyed by overloading.
In practice, the rollers and their storage are exposed to significant alternating loads. For example, if the user of a 30 kg loaded transport container quickly pulls it over cobblestone pavers, swap loads with frequencies up to 20 Hz and pulse peaks of several hundred kilograms on the rollers and their storage, but also exercised on the attachment of the storage to the transport container.

The roller bearing must therefore be resistant to alternating loads.

Although the telescopic handle and its storage is exposed to much lower load peaks. Especially with double extendable telescopic handles, however, a stable exception of the extended telescopic handle must be ensured in the telescopic handle bearing due to the leverage also.

In view of these technical problems, the overwhelming majority of the transport containers used are designed so that the roller bearing and the telescopic handle bearing are integrated into the container body, and it is accepted that the interior of the container body at the bottom is rugged or by moving parts how the retractable telescopic handle is limited in its universal usability. Typically, in so-called rolling cases, the roller bearing and the telescopic handle cover is covered by a rather thin fabric cover, and it is recommended not to use the trolley up to the maximum luggage capacity, for example, to not affect the functions of the telescopic handle.

Furthermore, transport containers have been proposed for special purposes, which - in so far beyond rolling suitcases - are also stackable. An example of this is from the DE 195 08 826 B4 refer to. The stackability should be ensured in this solution by stacking corners that protrude minimally relative to the container body. However, the stacking security is quite limited in this solution and not ensured if, for example, more than three transport containers are stacked. In addition, this solution has the disadvantages of teilversenkten rollers.

An improved solution on the other hand can be the DE 20 2005 015 963 U1 remove. The lower corner profile of this transport container is designed to fit the container lid and its top, that it engages over it, so that a secure stand is guaranteed. In addition, known per se Eckvorsprünge may be formed on the container lid. The caster seat is also integrated here in the Behäterkorpus, but secured by a quarter-circle cover.

Another embodiment of a transport container with integrated rollers has become known by the roll box K 412 of the present applicant. This rollbox is also characterized by good stackability and has proven itself well in practice even in robust use. Again, the rollers are integrated.

From the Chinese utility model CN 2 075 888 U is disclosed a pull-out suitcase. In the case of a slide to facilitate the ascent to stairs and a stool are provided.

A stackable suitcase is the publication US 2012/0228074 A1 refer to. To realize the stacking function, however, there are a variety of components such as rotatable front and rear wheel required. In addition, the roller bearing and the telescopic handle bearing are integrated into the container body. The interior of the container body at the bottom is rugged or restricted by moving parts such as the retractable telescopic handle in its universal usability.

In contrast, the invention is based on the object to provide an ergonomically improved transport container according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding retrofit kit according to the preamble of claim 21, which are inexpensive to produce and provide significant added value over the hitherto known transport containers.

This object is achieved by claim 1 or 21. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

The transport container according to the invention is characterized in addition to the further features of claim 1, characterized in that a stacking frame is formed in particular flush on the underside of the container. This stacking frame takes all the components required for the process, so the rollers and the telescopic handle, in a very stable and thus durable way on. The flush design, the juxtaposition and stacking of transport containers is not affected, and there is also the particular advantage that neither the rollers nor the telescopic handle must project in a direction transverse to the stacking direction. The rollers may be lowered but not project. The realization of an inclined surface of for example 45 °, however, given a corresponding desired ground clearance.

Through the integration of the traversing elements, that is, the rollers and the telescopic frame, in the frame according to the invention, the storage of the rollers is possible in such a way that especially exchange loads can be permanently absorbed well.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable that the essentially cuboid interior of the container body can remain virtually completely free from internals or other track roller or telescope-handle-related structural units. The procedure Assigned units can according to the invention rather completely in the frame according to the invention, which is designed in particular as a stack frame, be included so that no impairment or even damage to the objects to be transported through a fissured interior of the container body is to be feared.

Particularly favorable in this context, it is also that a high tightness according to the tightness classes IP 61, IP 62 or even IP 65 or IP 67 is possible, because openings of the container body, as required in integrated in the container body casters, are dispensable according to the invention ,

The container body is so far from openings, free of recordings or depressions for the rollers and completely cuboid, apart from the preferred rounded corners, which give the container body a injury-resistant design, and at the same time increase the stability, even if a light metal construction is present.

The transport container according to the invention is therefore very stable and durable, especially in aluminum construction.

In accordance with the invention advantageously corner elements are provided, which are particularly designed as a stacking guides and also partly store the rollers, and take part between them the telescopic handle and its storage. The stacking frame according to the invention is preferably self-supporting and consists of the corner elements or stack guides and hollow profiles which extend between the corner elements. The realization of snap-in connectors results in the inherent rigidity, it being understood that the connectors can be designed so that the locking tongues exert a bias on the relevant adjacent hollow profile.

In addition, the stack frame is further stiffened by the system at the bottom of the container or is integrated in the cuboid container body. It may be attached in any suitable manner to the container bottom of the container body, for example by screwing, gluing or riveting. For fixing both the container bottom is available, as well as the circumferential corner profile, in which in a known manner both the container bottom and the container side walls are securely stored. The design of the stacking frame basically follows the outer side practically exactly the configuration of this corner profile, which forms a rectangle, apart from the known per se rounded corners. According to the invention, the stack guides have recesses according to claim 1. Preferably, the recesses are at least partially congruent to each other and fit to the counter-stack elements, which are formed with projections on the container lids, that is, at the four local corners of the container lid.

For a secure stackability is ensured, and the stacking element has a dual function for the storage of rollers on the one hand and the realization of stackability on the other hand, the stackability is readily given even at a stack height of 8 or 10 units after the wells quite 1 cm deep and can have a length and width of significantly more than 1 cm.

According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the primary rollers are each accommodated in a corner element and supported on this and stored safely. Double-sided storage is preferred to increase the load bearing capacity of the storage. The storage is preferably carried out adjacent to an inclined surface, so that a significantly improved ground clearance guaranteed despite the non-projecting storage of the primary roller. The inclined surface may, for example, extend obliquely downwards at an angle of 45 °. The ground clearance can thus be significantly more than 20 mm, even with small rollers.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided in addition to the primary roller to offer a secondary roller, which may extend outside the container dimension and is accordingly releasably received.

For this purpose, associated stub axles and the two secondary rollers are added as additional elements, and make it possible to mount by snapping the connectors, the secondary casters, if - for example, in the outdoor area - significantly greater ground freedoms are desired, such as more than 40 mm or even 60 mm.

Again, a particularly good ground clearance is ensured by the near-axis configuration of the inclined surface, wherein the Aufeinanderreihbarkeit the container when removing the stacker axes and the associated secondary roles is given readily.

Conveniently, the stacking frame according to the invention may be provided as a retrofit set for forming a movable transport container based on a non-movable transport container. For this purpose, the complete stacking frame with integrated telescopic handle and the primary rollers is unceremoniously equipped and offered separately, in combination with suitable fasteners for inclusion on a non-movable transport container in the bottom area.

Preferably, the stack guides are designed as stack elements, for example made of plastic. These are connected to each other via suitable plug-in guides with profiles, in particular extruded profiles, and are insofar part of the stacking frame.

Alternatively, it is also possible to form the stack guides by abutment on a profile, preferably an extruded profile, which forms the stack frame. The Eckinnenflächen are also suitable for this purpose to lead corresponding stacking projections on the lids of the underlying transport container, thus ensuring the easiness.

Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Unteransicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters, der bereits mit Sekundärlaufrollen bestückt ist in einer partiellen Darstellung;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Oberansicht eines erfinungsgemäßen Transportbehälters, in einer partiellen Darstellung;

Fig. 4

eine Detaildarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters in der Ausführungsform gemäß den vorstehenden Figuren, wobei hauptsächlich ein Stapelelement mit aufgenommener Primärlaufrolle und aufgenommender Sekundärlaufrolle dargestellt ist;

Fig. 5

eine weitere Detaildarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters, unter Darstellung eines gegenüber dem Stapel gemäß Fig. 4 gegenüberliegen den Stapelelement, das dem Teleskopgriff benachbar ist; und

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung des Eckelements gemäß Fig. 5, wobei ein benachbartes Hohlprofil ausgeblendet ist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a transport container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a perspective bottom view of a transport container according to the invention, which is already equipped with secondary rollers in a partial representation;

Fig. 3

a top perspective view of a transport container according to the invention, in a partial representation;

Fig. 4

a detailed view of a transport container according to the invention in the embodiment according to the preceding figures, wherein mainly a stack element is shown with recorded primary roller and aufgenommender secondary roller;

Fig. 5

a further detail of a transport container according to the invention, showing one opposite the stack according to Fig. 4 Opposite the stacking element, which is adjacent to the telescopic handle; and

Fig. 6

a representation of the corner element according to Fig. 5 , wherein an adjacent hollow profile is hidden.

The in Fig. 1 illustrated transport container 10 has a container lid 12 and a container body 14, which are made in a conventional manner. The container lid has counterstack elements 16 and 18 and terminates in a manner known per se via a closing profile 20 relative to the container body 14.

The seal is made via a seal which is realized in an upper end profile of the container body 14, not shown, and presses against the inside of the container lid 12. By closures 22 and 24 a secure seal is ensured, wherein the container lid 12 is preferably pivotally mounted on the rear side of the container body, not shown, at this.

Carrying handles 28 and 30, which are designed as swivel handles and thus do not project beyond the container lid 12, serve to improve the portability of the container, so that even large loads can be carried for example by two operators.

In known manner, the container body 14 has a circumferential bead 32, and a plurality of corner beads 34 and 36 which serve the stiffening.

The container body 14 is formed in a conventional winding construction and therefore has rounded corners. It also has a lower corner profile 40, which receives the container bottom, not shown, and the container side walls 42 together and connects to each other.

According to the invention, the transport container 10 is provided with a stack frame 50 which extends below the corner profile 40 and the container bottom and is securely attached to these two. He is basically intrinsically stiff, but by the flat attachment he can be kept comparatively flat. For example, its height may only be about 10% of the container height, it being understood that this value is container size dependent.

The stacking frame 50 according to the invention has stacking elements, of which two stacking elements 52 and 54 Fig. 1 can be seen. Between the stack elements 52 and 54, the longitudinal side of the container following a hollow profile 56 which is securely connected via plug connections with the stack members 52 and 54 extends.

The stacking element 52 receives a roller 58. The storage takes place in a special way, namely on an inclined surface 60. The axis 62 of the roller 58 is the inclined surface 60 mounted directly adjacent. Accordingly, the projection size of the roller 58 with respect to the inclined surface 60 is as large as possible, which comes to a correspondingly large ground clearance to good.

The stacking element 52 is mounted via connectors on the hollow profile 56 in a conventional manner. The hollow profile may be formed comparatively thin, with a wall thickness of, for example, 1.5 mm and yet has a considerable inherent rigidity. For example, it is stiffer than a single profile with a wall thickness of 3 mm.

According to the invention, it is favorable if the stacking elements 52 and 54 have inwardly facing recesses for providing the stackability. This does not affect the ground clearance, so this is maximum. They fit the counter-stacking elements 16 which are formed on the container lid 12.

A further increase in ground clearance is possible if instead of the straight through axes 62 cranked axes are used, which are mounted against rotation in the stack elements. This allows a further increase in ground clearance by, for example, 2 mm.

Between the stacking element 54 and the stacking element, not shown, on the same end face of the transport container 10, a telescopic handle 64 is received. The telescopic handle 64 is slidably mounted in a conventional manner and completely absorbed in the stack frame 50 retractable. The stack elements and hollow profiles are formed side symmetrical to each other, so that insofar as the description made here of the stack members 52 and 54 and the hollow section 56 also reflects the design of the opposite stack elements not shown here.

The stacking element 54 is also securely connected to the mounting of the telescopic handle 64 via connectors, the further embodiment of the following figures can be seen.

From the illustration according to Fig. 2 the design of the underside of a transport container according to the invention can be seen. Like reference numerals here as well as in the other figures to the same or corresponding parts.

The telescopic handle 64 is supported in a telescopic handle bearing 66 and in addition to the container bottom 68 in a support bearing 70. In a conventional manner, the telescopic handle in the region of the support bearing 70 to train, so away from the container bottom 68, charged, including corresponding suitable fasteners realized are, for example, rivets or an adhesive bond.

As an alternative to this attachment to the container bottom, it is also possible to laterally support the support bearing on the hollow sections 56 and thus also to ensure a secure attachment. This solution has the advantage that then the container bottom 68 can be completely rietenkopffrei.

The telescopic handle 64 is telescopically extendable twice in a conventional manner. The Teleskopgrifflagerung 66 is laterally supported on the stack members 54. In addition, quite short hollow sections 72 are provided, of which a hollow section 72 in Fig. 2 is apparent.

The design of the two stack elements 52, which receive the rollers 58, is made Fig. 2 but better yet Fig. 4 and will be described with reference to this figure. But it's already over Fig. 2 it can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment a Secondary roller 74 is provided which extends outside of the container body 14 and the corner profile 40 and is releasably mounted on the stack member 52.

Out Fig. 3 it can be seen how the stackability of the transport container 10 is provided. The counter-stacking elements 16 have in the illustrated embodiment circular segment-shaped projections 80. The recesses 82 in the stack members 52 and 54 are configured to fully receive the protrusions 80. In addition, they are designed so that they can also accommodate circular projections. Both negative forms overlap, so that for the recess 82 from the Fig. 5 apparent embodiment results.
The shapes of the counter-stacking elements 16 on the one hand and the stacking elements 52 and 54 on the other hand are each congruent to one another, ie the same shape, so that an implementation at an angle of 180 ° during stacking is readily possible.

Out Fig. 4 It can be seen that the rollers 58 are mounted on a roller axle 86 near both the inclined surface 60 and the bottom 88 of each stack member 52. This results in the greatest possible ground clearance of the movable transport container.

The stack element 52 at least partially overlaps the corner profile 40 and is supported flat on the container bottom 68. For this purpose, a flange 90 projecting towards the center of the container is provided, which if necessary is also fastened to the container bottom 68 via additional fastening means. Preferably, however, the main attachment takes place via the positive connection between the corner profile 40 and the stack element 52.
The secondary roller 74 is mounted on the stack member 52 via a plug-in axis, not shown. This thru-axle locks on the stack element 52. By actuation of a release button 92, the detent is released and the thru-axle can be removed together with the secondary roller 74 from the thru axle mount of the stack member 52.

Out Fig. 4 is also erischtlich that the stacking element 52 is connected via a latching tongue 94 with the hollow section 56 to form the stack frame 50. Corresponding ver-off Fig. 5 It can be seen that a corresponding snap / locking connection is also realized on the hollow profile 72. Corresponding latching connections, which are preferably under prestress, serve for the secure stiffening of the stacking frame 50.

How out Fig. 6 it can be seen, the stacking element 54 and the telescopic bearing 66 are additionally connected to one another via stack elements and form-locking elements 96.

Although a realization of a telescopic handle 64 is described as being preferred, it should be understood that in the case of large transport containers, this can also be dispensable, which is not part of the present invention. In this embodiment, not according to the invention, at least one carrying handle corresponding to the carrying handle 30 is then provided close to the ground on the support frame 50 or on the end face of the container body 14 or adjacent thereto on the side wall 42. This makes it possible to lift the non-inventive transport container 10 and to proceed, if necessary, after supporting the lifting of the handle 30 according to Fig. 1 ,

A corresponding additional carrying handle, which is preferably also designed as a pivoting handle, may also preferably be provided on both sides in order to enable both the right-handed and the left-handed operation of the transport container according to the invention.

Claims (21)

1. A transport container having a container body (14) and a container lid (12) pivotably supported thereto, with a plurality of casters (58) on the container body (14) and a telescopic handle (64) spaced apart from the casters (58), respectively, on the side of the container body (14) opposite to the container lid (12), wherein

   - a stacking frame (50) is attached to the cuboid container body (14) or is incorporated into the cuboid container body (14), which container body (14) is devoid of accommodations or recesses (82) for casters (58) and which stacking frame (50) forms at least three stacking guides (62, 54),

   - the casters (58) are supported in or on the stacking frame (50),

   - the telescopic handle (64) is incorporated into the stacking frame (50), characterized In that the stacking guides (52, 54) comprise recesses (82), which are matchingly formed to form-fittingly accommodate at least two counter stack elements (16, 18) arranged on the container lid (12).
2. The transport container according to Claim 1, characterized in that each caster (58) is adjacent to a stacking element (52, 54).
3. The transport container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stacking guides (52, 54) are formed as stacking elements.
4. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) comprises two stacking guides (52, 54) on a front side of the container, on which front side the telescopic handle (64) Is accommodated, each one of which stacking guides carrying an axis (62) for a caster (58), or both stacking guides together carry a common axis (62) for the casters (58).
5. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that as casters (58) primary casters are provided, the axis (62) of which Is supported on both sides on the stacking guides (52, 54).
6. The transport container according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that primary casters are supported on said two stacking guides (52, 54) opposite thereof inwardly offset towards the container center.
7. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized In that the stacking frame (50) extends flush to the container body (14), and completely accommodating the telescopic handle (64) and the telescopic handle bearing (66) thereof in the retracted state of the telescopic handle (64).
8. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) extends flush to the lower connecting profile of the container body (14) and the telescopic handle (64), and completely accommodating the telescopic handle (64) and the telescopic handle bearing (66) thereof in the retracted state of the telescopic handle (64).
9. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) comprises profiles which extend between the stacking guides (52, 54).
10. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) comprises hollow profiles (56, 72) of light metal, which extend between the stacking guides (52, 54).
11. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) is formed of stacking guides (52, 54) and hollow profiles (56, 72), which are connected to each other via plug connections.
12. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) is formed of stacking guides (52,54) and hollow profiles (56, 72) which are interconnected via snap-in plug connections.
13. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking guides (52, 54) adjacent to the telescopic handle (64) comprise recesses (82) for accommodating the counter stacking elements (16, 18) on the container lid (12) of the transport container (10) to be stacked thereunder, and that the recesses (82) are congruent to the recesses (82) in the stacking guides (52, 54) of the casters (58).
14. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the telescopic handle (64) comprises a supporting element, which is attached, spaced apart from the stacking frame (50), to the bottom of the transport container (10) and in that the telescopic handle (64) is extendable in a manner known per se.
15. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized In that the inner space of the container body (14) - except for heads of fasteners for the stacking frame (50) - is devoid of caster- and telescopic handle-related structural units and therefore is cuboid, and that the transport container (10), with the container lid (12) closed, Is formed with rounded corners, closely according to IP 61 or IP65 or even IP67.
16. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking frame (50) including the casters (58) - as far as the primary casters are involved - does not increase the outer dimensions of the transport container (10) in the horizontal direction at any location.
17. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that profiles of the stacking frame (50) are of the same light metal as the container body (14) and the container lid (12) and that the stacking guides (52, 54) consist of the same material as the counter stacking elements (16, 18) on the container lid (12), and consisting of impact-resistant plastic material.
18. The transport container according to one of the Claims 6 to 17, characterized in that a secondary roll is insertable together with its associated plug-in axis from the exterior into a secondary roll recess of the associated stacking element and is associated to the container as a supplemental kit.
19. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the stacking guides (52, 54) are formed by contact surfaces on the frame, which has a profile, and especially has an extruded profile.
20. The transport container according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized In that the primary casters (58) have a ground clearance of more than 23 mm, especially of 24 mm, and the secondary rolls (74) have a ground clearance of at least 40 mm, especially 53 mm.
21. A retrofitting set to form a transport container according to one of the Claims 1 to 20, characterized by a stacking frame (50), into which a telescopic handle (64) is incorporated, and having stacking guides (52, 54), which are equipped with primary casters (58), which retrofitting set is attachable to the underside (88) of the container body (14).

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