EP3638596B1 - Large container having a hinged flap - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a large load carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention relates in particular to large load carriers with four circumferentially arranged and pivotably arranged side walls on the bottom of the large load carrier, of which at least one side wall is provided with a flap opening which can preferably be folded outwards and downwards to reveal a flap opening in the side wall.

Such large load carriers, often also called large containers, are large load carriers for the purposes of the application, usually with dimensions in the range of 800 × 600 mm, 1200 × 800 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm and 1200 × 1600 mm, these being standard dimensions and in individual cases With regard to the above area, corresponding modifications between the height and width of the corresponding side walls are also possible. Ultimately, the height of such large load carriers depends on the desired capacity, so that the information given above is in no way to be understood as restrictive. A usual height calculated from the contact area of the large load carrier on the floor to the upper edge of the side walls is 1000 mm, this again not being restrictive. However, this gives a definition of the large load carrier compared to other containers or containers, such as fruit and vegetable containers or bottle crates and the like that can be stacked one above the other and next to one another on pallets. The large load carriers are used to hold, in particular, piece goods and the like and are used in the non-food sector, industry, and preferably in the automotive sector. With these large load carriers, on the one hand there is a lightweight, but nonetheless one Due to the amount of piece goods to be picked up, it has a stable structure and easy handling when opening the side walls, if the large load carriers are emptied, in order to enable simple and space-saving return transport.

Such large load carriers are designed as reusable containers and are made of plastic within the scope of the invention. The side walls are in a vertical position, in which they limit the transport volume or the receiving volume of the large load carrier, coupled to one another by conventional locking elements, so that a stable connection of the large load carrier is ensured in the upright position of the side walls.

For easier removal of the goods accommodated in the large load carrier, the side walls or at least one side wall are provided with a flap opening which can be folded down outwards, with the flap resting on the outer surface of the corresponding side wall in the folded down position. Such swivel flaps are known ( DE 698 26 757 T2 ), whereby the flap is connected to the side wall via hinges. Alternatively, however, translationally displaceable flaps are also known ( DE 10 2008 047 857 A1 ), in which the flap can be moved from the position closing the flap opening in the side wall downwards in front of the outside of the side wall. Both alternatives are in need of improvement in terms of handling and structure, which is what the invention is concerned with.

the end WO 2013/120439 A1 a large load carrier with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. US 2006/260976 A1 shows another such large load carrier. The object of the invention is to create a large load carrier which has a flap on at least one side wall, the handling of which is improved with a simple structure.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1, expedient developments of the invention being characterized by the features specified in the subclaims. Likewise, advantageous features are described in the description of the figures and also shown in the drawings, which further develop the invention.

According to the invention, the flap is articulated to the side wall by means of coupling elements. Here, the coupling elements are on the one hand by means of side wall joints with the Side wall itself and, on the other hand, articulated to the flap by means of flap joints, so that the pivot connection between the flap and side wall takes place by interposing these coupling elements, which facilitates handling when opening and closing the flap.

In addition, according to the invention, at least one positive guide for the flap is provided in such a way that when the flap is pivoted by means of the coupling elements, it simultaneously creates a translational flap movement, advantageously in the plane of the flap itself, whereby the flap when closing the flap opening due to the forced upward movement is moved in the direction of the upper edge and thus up the side wall.

According to the invention, the forced guidance of the flap for a translatory flap movement is formed by at least one ramp which is arranged on the side wall in the region of the flap opening or the flap.

The flap, the coupling element or the side wall expediently has at least one guide groove which is provided for the translational flap movement and interacts with one of the two joints of the coupling element, i.e. either with the joint that the coupling member with the flap, or the joint that the Coupling member with the side wall, hingedly connects.

The advantage of the measure according to the invention is that, so to speak, automatically when the flap is flipped up or swiveled up in order to transfer it into the closed position in which it closes the flap opening in the side wall, a lifting movement is brought about which makes it possible for an at the Locking element formed by the flap can be engaged in a complementary locking element on the side wall in order to lock the flap in the closed position. As a result of the forced guidance, this takes place automatically when the flap is folded up, whereby the flap experiences a lifting movement in the direction of the upper edge of the side wall and thus a corresponding locking element on the side wall engages behind when it is moved into the closed position and thus the flap can be locked against the side wall. To open it, the flap only needs to be lifted and can then be easily folded down again. This considerably simplifies the handling of such large load carriers when loading and unloading the goods.

According to the invention, the positive guidance is arranged on both side edges of the flap opening and the two edges of the flap. This results in a safe opening and closing of the flap, since the flap is guided, so to speak, without tilting during the closing process.

According to the invention, a first run-up ramp is provided on each of the lateral edges of the flap opening of the side wall, which cooperates with a first projection on each of the two lateral flap edges, which is preferably designed like a hook. As a result, a simple forced guidance is achieved, since only one run-up ramp has to be provided, which can easily be designed on the side edges of the flap opening and which enables the lifting movement in a simple manner. Of course, the reverse arrangement is also possible, that is to say the reverse arrangement of the run-up ramp and projections interacting therewith on the flap or on the lateral edges of the flap opening.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, which is particularly advantageous in the case of narrow side walls, a second ramp is provided on the side edges of the flap opening or on the side edges of the flap, and a corresponding projection is provided accordingly. The first and second run-up ramps work together to the extent that when the flap runs up the first run-up ramp and is located at the upper end of the ramp, when the flap is closed further into the closed position, the corresponding second projection runs up the second run-up ramp and thus, so to speak quasi a doubling of the lifting movement is made possible with a simple structure. A kinematically reversed arrangement of the ramp and projection is also possible.

In the case of second ramps, it is expedient to arrange these in the direction of the upper edge of the side wall offset in height relative to the first run-up ramp and the projection that interacts therewith.

According to the invention, the ramps are designed so that the flaps fall down either by gravity or by a suitable spring preload as soon as the ramps are overrun. This applies both to embodiments with one constrained guidance as well as in embodiments with two constrained guidance, which here are each preferably formed by inclined ramps.

Since the projections cooperating with the ramp surfaces are expediently designed as locking elements, preferably formed by hook-like projections, the lowering of the flap after driving over the ramp results in an automatic locking of the flaps in the closed position, in that the hook-like projections in particular engage behind the ramps. It is useful here to use the ramps as locking elements, with in expedient training the ramps can also be provided with an undercut in the form of grooves for the locking engagement, if necessary.

In connection with the ramp-like design or the forced guidance, springs are provided which are pretensioned when the flap is closed, whereby, depending on the orientation of the pretensioning force, the closed position can be secured or the pivoting of the flap into the open position can be facilitated by appropriate design and / or arrangement of the springs .

The coupling elements and the joints of the coupling elements can be made very simple, since two hinge pins are expediently provided for the articulated connection, which preferably each pass through the coupling element and on the one hand one of the hinge pins is displaced on the flap and the other hinge pin on the side wall. A flush arrangement can be achieved in that the coupling elements are each received in recesses on the lower edge of the flap when the flap is in the closed position. In this context, it is expedient to provide the guide for the flap, that is, the translational guide, in the form of grooves in the lateral surfaces of the recesses, with which the corresponding joint or joint pin of the coupling element then interacts. If necessary, the translational guide can also be provided accordingly in the coupling member itself or on the side wall.

It is advantageous to provide a stop tongue on the inside of the flap, so that a forced coupling of the flap with the coupling element or the coupling elements can be ensured. This has the advantage that when the flap is pivoted up, it cannot be swiveled over, but rather the flap remains aligned with the coupling element during the upper pivoting movement.

As already stated above, the ramp can be formed at different positions, in particular on the side wall in the area of the flap opening. In particular, but not exclusively in connection with large load carriers, which can be provided with a lid for closing the front opening of the large load carrier, it is advantageous to lock the flap in the closed position from the upper end area of the side wall of the large load carrier downwards in the direction of the lower edge of the flap opening to relocate. This is also advantageous in connection with the ramp for initiating the translational flap movement when the flap is closed. In appropriate training, it is within the scope of the invention expedient to arrange or design the locking or latching on the lower flap edge, primarily on both longitudinal sides of the flap. Such an arrangement is also very advantageous for the ramp, in particular in connection with the relocation of the latching into a lower region of the flap.

Finally, it is advantageous within the scope of the invention that at least one downwardly directed extension is provided on the outwardly directed side, in particular on the lower flap edge, which delimits a receiving pocket in which, in the closed position, an upwardly directed wall projection of the side wall is formed in the area of the flap opening is. This results in a latching in the closed position of the flap, in which the flap is oriented vertically and the wall projection is immersed in the receiving pocket of the flap. When the flap is folded down, the wall projection can represent a guide for the folding movement of the flap, in particular at the beginning of the flap movement. It can be useful here to form the extension and wall projection and thus the receiving pocket as well as the ramp at the lower edge of the flap opening or in the area of the lower edge of the flap opening.

When such a, in particular tongue-shaped extension is implemented on the flap, a translational flap movement can be prevented in connection with overlapping coupling members in the folded-down position of the flap; this blocking lock is canceled, a translational adjustment of the flap in the direction of the upper side wall edge takes place in the further area of the flap movement.

The flap can advantageously be provided with a handle, for example a swivel handle or with a handle opening.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Großladungsträgers,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer der Seitenwände des Großladungsträgers nach Fig. 1, die mit einer Schwenkklappe mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Modifizierung ausgerüstet ist,

Fig. 3

eine rein schematisch gehaltene Schnittansicht durch die Seitenwand nach Fig. 2 in Höhe der Klappenöffnung in der Seitenwand, die ebenso wie die nachfolgenden Figuren nur diejenigen Elemente aufzeigen, die zur Erläuterung der Funktion und des Aufbaus der Erfindung wichtig sind,

Fig. 4 bis 9

entsprechende Ansichten analog Fig. 3, welche die Klappe beim Hochschwenken in die Schließstellung in verschiedenen Schwenkpositionen zeigt.

Figur 10

eine Schnittansicht eines weiteren alternativen Ausführungsbeispiels mit einer Schnittebene im Bereich der Gelenkausbildung zwischen Klappe und Seitenwand

Figur 11

eine Schnittansicht in derselben Funktionsstellung wie Figur 10, jedoch mit einer leicht versetzten Schnittebene zur Darstellung der Kopplungsglieder

Figur 12

eine Funktionsstellung der Klappe im angehobenen Zustand gegenüber Figur 11

Figur 13

eine Funktionsstellung der Klappe in einer Klappstellung in der Schnittebene gemäß Figur 10

Figur 14

eine analoge Ansicht der Funktionsstellung nach Figur 13, jedoch in der Schnittebene gemäß Figur 11

Figur 15

eine Funktionsstellung mit einer weiter nach unten gerichteten Klappstellung in der Schnittebene gemäß Figur 11 und 14

Figur 16

eine Schnittdarstellung des Ausführungsbeispiels mit vollständig heruntergeklappter Klappe, wiederum in der Schnittebene analog Figur 11

Figur 17

eine modifizierte Ausbildung einer Klappe in einer Seitenwand mit zwei Klappengelenken sowie

Figur 18

eine Darstellung der Seitenwand von Figur 17 mit vollständig herabgeklappter Klappe bzw. Öffnungsstellung der Seitenwand.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described purely schematically with reference to the drawing. Show in it

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a large load carrier,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of one of the side walls of the large load carrier according to Fig. 1 equipped with a hinged flap with a modification according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a purely schematic sectional view through the side wall according to FIG Fig. 2 at the level of the flap opening in the side wall, which, like the following figures, only show those elements that are important for explaining the function and structure of the invention,

Figures 4 to 9

corresponding views analogous Fig. 3 which shows the flap in various pivoting positions when it is pivoted up into the closed position.

Figure 10

a sectional view of a further alternative embodiment with a sectional plane in the area of the joint formation between the flap and the side wall

Figure 11

a sectional view in the same functional position as Figure 10 , but with a slightly offset cutting plane to show the coupling links

Figure 12

a functional position of the flap in the raised state opposite Figure 11

Figure 13

a functional position of the flap in a folded position in the sectional plane according to FIG Figure 10

Figure 14

an analogous view of the functional position Figure 13 , but in the cutting plane according to Figure 11

Figure 15

a functional position with a further downward folding position in the cutting plane according to FIG Figure 11 and 14th

Figure 16

a sectional view of the exemplary embodiment with the flap completely folded down, again analogous in the sectional plane Figure 11

Figure 17

a modified design of a flap in a side wall with two flap hinges as well

Figure 18

a representation of the side wall of Figure 17 with the flap completely folded down or the side wall in the open position.

Fig. 1 shows a large load carrier according to the invention, which has four circumferentially arranged side walls 2, 4, 6 and 8, wherein the side walls are hinged to a bottom 10 and at least one side wall has a closing flap 12, which is attached to the corresponding side wall with its lower flap edge 14 is hinged.

The floor has the usual support feet which delimit engagement openings for lifting devices, such as for the tines of forklifts, between them. The large load carrier is made of plastic.

Fig. 2 shows the side wall 2 with further elements in an exploded view. Purely by way of example, but in no way limiting, the flap has three recesses 16 on the lower flap edge 14, which in turn serve to accommodate three coupling elements 18. The flap 12 is here articulated to the three (non-limiting) coupling elements 18, specifically by means of hinge pins 20, so that a total of three flap hinges are formed in that the hinge pins 20 on the one hand reach through the corresponding coupling elements 18 and on the other hand with their ends in each case in the Coupling elements 18 receiving flap recesses 16 are displaced.

At the opposite end, the coupling elements 18 are again preferably connected to the lower edge 24 of the flap opening 26 via hinge pins 22, for which purpose again, purely by way of example, according to FIG Fig. 2 corresponding extensions 30 are formed on the lower edge 24 of the flap opening 26, in which the ends of the hinge pins 22 are displaced.

As a result, the flap 12 is articulated to the side wall 2 via the coupling elements 18, namely via a flap hinge with the corresponding coupling element and with the threaded bolt 22 to the side wall via the respective coupling element. The interposition of the coupling members which connect the flap 12 to the side wall via two joints results in a simplified pivoting of the flap relative to the associated side wall. Fig. 3 shows a purely schematic sectional view through the side wall 2 in the region of the flap opening 26, the flap 12 being in the folded-down position in which the flap opening 26 is completely open. As shown in Fig. 3 the coupling element 18 shown in the drawing is in a horizontal position, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the side wall 2, which, however, is again not mandatory. The flap 12 is here in this downwardly pivoted folded position essentially parallel to the side wall 2.

The hinge pin 20 of the flap hinge is expediently received in a translatory manner in a guide groove 28 of the flap. Here shows Fig. 3 only one coupling element in each case and also only one guide groove, although the guide grooves 28 are expediently formed on the two side edges of the recesses 16 which each receive the coupling elements 18, which is shown schematically in FIG Fig. 2 is shown in each case on the left side of the recess 16. The guide groove 28 expediently extends in the plane of the side wall 12 and enables a translatory movement of the flap 12 relative to the hinge pin 20 stored, that is pivotable, but not translationally displaceable. Alternatively, for example, the coupling element could also be provided with a corresponding guide groove, in which case the hinge pin 20 could then move in a translatory manner in the coupling element. Alternatively, corresponding guide grooves would only be possible in the extensions. However, the embodiment shown in the figures is preferred, in which the guide grooves for the translational movement of the flap 12 are formed on the flap side.

Fig. 4 shows the flap after being pivoted up by about 90 °, the flap being in the horizontal direction, that is to say vertical to the plane of the side wall 2. In an expedient embodiment, stop tongues 32 formed on the inside of the flap overlap the coupling elements on the inside of the flap 12, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 can be seen. This prevents the flap hinge from pivoting over when the flap 12 is pivoted up; Fig. 4 The position shown upwards, the flap 12 with the coupling element 18 in the off Fig. 4 apparent location or position.

Fig. 5 shows a further intermediate position during the folding up of the flap 12, with the further pivoting of the flap 12 the flap is displaced translationally in the direction of the coupling element 18 or slides down, which can be seen in that in Fig. 5 the hinge pin 20 of the flap-side hinge is located in the upper region of the guide groove 28 (see also the arrow information in this figure).

The device comprises, as from Fig. 6 It becomes clear, a forced guidance for the flap 12, which when pivoting the flap at the same time brings about a translational flap movement in the plane of the flap, so that the flap 12 is moved upwards in the direction of the upper edge of the side wall. According to the invention, a ramp 34 is provided as a forced guidance, which in the illustrated embodiment has an inclined wall running upwards from the outer surface of the side wall 2 to the inner surface of the side wall 2 as a ramp surface, which is designated by 36. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a ramp 34 on the flap opening 26 laterally on edges 38 and 40 (cf. Fig. 2 ) provided or designed.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the forced guidance comprises on the flap side a hook-like projection 42, preferably directed downwards here, which, like Fig. 6 shows in this in Fig. 6 shown pivoted-up position, in which, for example, the flap is located approximately at an angle of 6 ° to the vertical side wall, runs onto the inclined surface 36 of the ramp 34. With further pivoting of the flap 12 in the direction of the side wall 2, the hook-like projection 42 runs on the ramp 34 so that the flap 12 is lifted upwards, with Fig. 7 shows a pivoted position of the flap very close to the vertical position of the side wall. In this position, the hook-like projection 42 is located at the upper end of the inclined surface 36 of the ramp 34. A kinematic reversal of the arrangement of ramp and projection is also possible.

In a further expedient embodiment, which, however, is again not mandatory, a second positive guide is provided which has a second ramp 44 with an inclined surface 46, the inclined surface likewise running obliquely upwards from the outside to the inside. The ramp 44 is undercut on the inside of the side wall, the undercut being indicated in the form of a groove with the reference numeral 48. Here, the relationships are even clearer due to the enlarged illustration of the upper region of the flap 12 shown on the left Fig. 7 evident.

Furthermore, the forced guidance on the side of the flap 12 has a second, again hook-like projection 50 on the side edge of the flap, which, like the projection 42, is directed downward. How out Fig. 7 As can be seen, in this pivoted position of the flap 12, the second projection 50 runs straight onto the inclined surface 46 of the second ramp 44 and, when the flap 12 is pivoted further, runs upwards on the incline, so that the flap 12 is raised further by the second inclined surface 46, until finally the in Fig. 9 position shown is reached, in which the projection 50 has overrun the ramp 44 and engages or engages with its outwardly directed nose or hook 52 below the inclined surface of the ramp, whereby the The flap 12 is locked in this closed position in which the flap 12 closes the flap opening 26. In this position after Fig. 9 the flap 12 has fallen translationally downwards, with, as also from Fig. 9 It can be seen, in this position, the first hook-shaped projection 42 engages behind the first ramp 34 and thus the flap 12 is also locked in this position. By lifting the flap 12 upwards, the flap 12 can be unlocked in that, in the case of the embodiment with both ramps, the corresponding projections are correspondingly raised further upwards, so that the flap 12 is pivoted outward into the outward direction Fig. 3 apparent position is possible.

According to the invention, a spring preload is provided for the flap 12 in the closed position, which is explained purely by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described in more detail here purely by way of example, a spring 54 is provided on each of the two edges 38, 40 of the side wall which laterally delimit the flap opening 26 and can expediently be clipped into the wall. Depending on the design of the spring 54, it can be tensioned vertically upwards when the flap 12 is moved into the closed position, so that a downward tension is produced. This ensures that the flap 12 is securely locked in the side wall 2. To raise the flap 12, it is then necessary to pull the flap 12 vertically against the biasing force of the spring 54 upwards in order to then be able to pivot it.

In an alternative embodiment, when the flap 12 is moved into the closed position to block the flap opening 26, the spring can also be pressed horizontally in the direction of the inside of the flap, with the result that when the flap 12 is pulled up to unlock the flap 12 is virtually automatically transferred into the flap position, so to speak, since the spring then pushes the flap 12 into the open position. The function of the spring and its arrangement are also quite clear from the enlarged illustration in Fig. 8 can be seen, which also shows the clip-in part 56 of the spring.

Versions with only one ramp to move the flap 12 upwards in a corresponding translatory manner during the pivoting movement, for which the ramp can also be provided, for example, at the lower edge of the flap opening 26 or at the lower edge of the flap, so that when the flap is closed, this due to the Ramp effect is moved upwards as a result of an inclined surface, do not belong to the invention.

According to the invention, the ramp can expediently be provided on both lateral edges of the flap 12 be.

In a particularly advantageous manner, two ramps arranged one above the other can be provided so that an upward movement occurs when the first ramp is driven over and, finally, a further upward movement occurs when the second ramp is passed over, which is particularly advantageous in the case of narrow side walls and flap walls, in order to avoid a corresponding lifting movement of the To generate flap.

the Figures 10 to 16 show a further exemplary embodiment with, in principle, the same mode of operation as the previous exemplary embodiment, but with modifications explained below, the same reference numerals being used for the same or comparable components as in the preceding exemplary embodiment.

In particular, in this exemplary embodiment, both the ramp 34 with the inclined surface 36 and elements 42 for locking the flap 12 in its vertical position downward in the direction of the lower flap edge 14 are arranged or formed. Figure 11 shows the flap 12 in a slightly offset section with respect to the cutting plane Figure 10 , the flap being in the same functional position, that is to say in a vertical position in alignment with the side wall 2. On the side edge of the flap 12, the guide groove 28 for the translational guidance of the flap 12, again preferably designed as an elongated hole, is shown. Figure 13 shows the flap in an inclined position, the projection 42 running over the ramp 34 in this position. Figure 14 shows the same functional position as Figure 13 , but in a sectional plane according to Figure 11 so that the guidance of the hinged bolt 20 on the flap side in the elongated hole 28 can be seen. Figure 15 finally shows a position of the flap 12 close to the fully folded down position, the hinge pin 20 being in the upper region of the guide 28. In the representation after Figure 16 the flap 12 is completely folded onto the side wall, that is to say completely folded out downwards.

From the Figures 10 to 16 it can be seen that in this embodiment the flap has a tongue-like extension 58 on the outside of the container at the lower edge of the flap, which in the from Figures 10 and 11 apparent vertical position of the flap 12 engages behind an upwardly directed wall projection 60 of the side wall. Here, the tongue-like projection 58 delimits a receiving pocket 62, as best shown Figure 13 and 14th it can be seen in which in the Figures 10 and 11 apparent position engages the upwardly directed wall projection 60, which is formed in the area of the lower flap edge 24 directed upward. This shows how from the Figures 10 and 11 is illustrated, a lock for positioning the flap 12 in the vertical position, in which position the flap 12 is moved downwards.

Figure 12 shows a position in front of the functional position according to FIGS Figures 10 and 11 with a position of the flap 12 where it is currently in a vertical position and can move translationally downward, so that the receiving pocket 62 then the wall projection 60 according to FIGS Figures 10 and 11 overlaps.

Figure 13 shows a folded position, wherein the flap 12 is raised and can be folded outwards. The wall projection 60 finally moves out of the receiving pocket 62 with the further flipping down, as is best Figure 14 emerges, and the flap 12 then rotates, so to speak, about the wall projection 60 downwards, which takes place here with the interposition of the coupling members 18.

In the position after Figure 16 the flap 12 is completely transferred into the folded down vertical position, where it runs parallel to the outer surface of the side wall in the illustrated embodiment. In this position it is not possible to lift the flap 12 in the vertical direction, since this is blocked by the coupling members 18. To open it, the flap 12 must first be pivoted upwards until finally the blocking contact according to FIG Figure 16 between extension 58 and coupling member 18 is canceled and finally with further folding up the flap joint is guided in the guide 28 and thus a movement of the pivoting flap 12 upwards is made possible by the projection 42 running on the ramp 34 or the inclined surface 36 into the position according to Figure 12 , in which the flap 12 can then fall down in the direction of the lower edge of the flap opening 24 and in this position then the locking position according to the Figures 10 and 11 occupies.

the Figures 17 and 18th show a slightly modified embodiment in which the flap 12 is hinged to the lower edge 24 of the flap opening via only two flap hinges 64 and 66. Figure 18 shows the flap 12 in its completely folded down position to release the flap opening 26. Aus Figure 18 the ramps 34 can also be clearly seen. Figure 17 Finally, FIG. 3 shows a practicable embodiment of the articulation arrangement of the pivotable side wall 2 via three articulation formations in a construction known per se on the bottom of the large container.

Claims (11)

1. Heavy load carrier comprising a base (10) and peripherally arranged side walls (2, 4, 6, 8), at least one of the side walls (2) having a flap (12) which seals a flap opening (26) in the side wall (2) in a closed position and is transferable by pivoting into an open position in which the flap (12) is flapped against the side wall (2) from the outside,

   the flap (12) being articulated to the side wall (2) by coupling elements (18), the coupling elements (18) being articulated to the side wall by side wall joints and to the flap by flap joints, and

   at least one forced guide (28, 34, 42) for the flap (12) being provided and, when the flap (12) is pivoted, simultaneously bringing about a translational flap movement in the plane of the flap, in such a way that the flap (12) is moved upwards towards the upper edge of the side wall (2) when the flap opening (26) is closed,

   the forced guide being arranged on each of two lateral edges (38, 40) of the flap opening (26) and of the flap (12) and comprising at least one first run-up ramp (34, 44) arranged on the side wall (2) or the flap (12),

   a first run-up ramp (34) being formed on each of the lateral edges (38, 40) of the flap opening (26) and cooperating with a first projection (42) on each of the two lateral flap edges, or there being a kinematically reversed arrangement,

   characterised in

   that the first run-up ramp (34) is in each case formed in such a way that after travelling over a ramp the flap (12) moves translationally towards the base (10) under gravity and/or a spring bias,

   a spring (54) being arranged on each of the lateral edges (38, 40) of the side wall (2) which delimit the flap opening and being biased towards closing the flap (12) in such a way that the flap (12) is held in a locking position,

   the spring (54) being tensioned vertically upwards, resulting in an upward bias, or being pressed horizontally towards the flap interior, resulting in an outward bias, when the flap (12) enters the closed position.
2. Heavy load carrier according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the flap (12), the coupling element (18) or the side wall (2) has at least one guide groove (28), which cooperates with a joint of the coupling elements (18), for the translational flap movement.
3. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the first projections (42) are formed hook-like.
4. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that a second run-up ramp (44) is provided on each of the lateral edges (38, 40) of the flap opening (26) and cooperates with a preferably hook-like second projection (50) on each of the two lateral flap edges, or there is a reversed arrangement of these components.
5. Heavy load carrier according to claim 4,
   characterised in
   that the second run-up ramp (44) and the second projection (50) cooperating therewith in each case are arranged vertically offset, towards the upper edge of the side wall (2), above the first run-up ramp (34) and the first projection (42) cooperating therewith.
6. Heavy load carrier according to either claim 4 or claim 5,
   characterised in
   that the second ramp (44) is formed in such a way that the second projection (50) cooperating therewith runs up onto the second ramp as soon as the first projection (42) reaches the tip of the first ramp (34), and in that the flap (12) moves downwards as soon as the second projection (50) in each case runs over the corresponding second ramp (44), the second ramp (44) preferably in turn in each case being formed with an undercut (48), preferably in the form of a groove, behind which the second hook-like projection (50) engages, preferably by way of a tab (52), in each case.
7. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the ramps (34, 44) are each formed by oblique faces (36, 46) which preferably extend obliquely upwards, towards the upper edge of the side wall (2), from the outer wall of the side wall towards the side wall inner face.
8. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the joints of the coupling elements (18) are respectively formed by pivot bolts (20, 22).
9. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that the coupling elements (18) are respectively received in recesses (16) on the flap edge (14) which is lower in the closed position of the flap.
10. Heavy load carrier according to claim 8, optionally in connection with claim 9,
    characterised in
    that the pivot bolts (20, 22) of the coupling elements (18) each engage in guide grooves (28), preferably formed in lateral faces of the recesses (16), for the translational flap movement.
11. Heavy load carrier according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterised in
    that in each case a stop tongue (32) protrudes in the region of the coupling elements (18) on the face of the flap (12) which is innermost in the closed position, and engages above the corresponding coupling element (18) when the flap is pivoted up, in such a way that excessive pivoting of the coupling elements (18) is blocked by the flap (12) when the flap is pivoted up.

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