FR2732668A1 - CONTAINER, IN PARTICULAR OF THE TYPE A PALLET SHAPED - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container, in particular of the type with a base in the form of a pallet. Container, comprising a base in the form of a pallet, vertical uprights and at least one side wall each extending between two vertical uprights, characterized in that at least one side wall (4) or each of the side walls (4 ) present is secured, at its lower edge, to the lower ends of the two uprights (3) adjacent to said side wall (4) or to vertical tube portions integral with the base (2) and supporting said uprights (3) ) adjacent, by means of two opposed lateral fingers engaged in corresponding openings made in the walls of said uprights (3) or said tube portions, each of said fingers having a bent end portion extending substantially parallel to the internal faces of the walls aforementioned, at a short distance from the latter or in contact with them.

Description

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of storage and handling of parts or sets of parts and relates to a pallet-shaped base container and at least one side wall. There are currently already various stackable containers comprising a pallet base, vertical uprights, foldable or not, shaped tubes and mounted at the corners of said base and at least one side wall extending, each between two uprights, being foldable or not to

inside said container.

  However, these existing containers often have side walls whose flexural strength is insufficient, especially at the base of said walls, the latter being furthermore very difficult to dismantle or even to be dismounted when

  the container is filled or integrated in a stack.

  It has been proposed to fasten the lower edge of the side walls to the lateral edges of the base by means of elements of

  hinge females fixed on said edges.

  Nevertheless, these hinge elements are irremovable and constitute troublesome protuberances for loading after removal of the side walls. Moreover, they do not allow a

  removal of the side walls when the containers are stacked.

  Moreover, when the amounts are of the collapsible or retractable type, their locking device in the raised vertical position is generally not actuated positively for its engagement and requires separate and individual handling

  at the level of each amount, in particular with a view to their release.

  The present invention is intended in particular to overcome the

aforementioned drawbacks.

  For this purpose, it relates to a container of the type comprising a base in the form of a pallet, vertical uprights, foldable or not, shaped tubes and mounted at the corners of said base and at least one side wall extending , each between two vertical uprights, being foldable or not inwardly of said container, characterized in that the at least one side wall or each of the side walls present is secured, at its lower edge, to the lower ends of the two posts adjacent to said side wall or to vertical tube portions secured to the base and supporting said adjacent posts, by means of two opposite lateral fingers engaged in corresponding orifices formed in the walls of said uprights or tube portions, each said fingers having a folded end portion extending substantially parallel to the inner faces of said walls s, low

  away from them or in contact with them.

  The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below.

  Next, which refers to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention ; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the container shown in Figure 1, with some side walls removed; FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the container represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an amount locked and locked in a vertical position; FIG. 4A and 4B are detailed perspective views showing the securing means of the side walls at their level; lower edges, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 5A and 5B are detailed perspective views showing the securing means of the side walls at their lower edges, according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 6A to 6C are perspective views of detail A of FIG. 2 showing the cooperation of an automatic locking and locking device with a locking member of the lateral walls in a vertical position; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in section of a two-part hinge element shown in particular in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, in assembled position, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the two parts forming

  the hinge element shown in FIG. 7.

  As shown in Figures I and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the container 1 is of the type comprising a base 2 in the form of a pallet, vertical uprights 3, foldable or not, shaped tubes and mounted at the corners of said base 2 and at least one side wall 4 extending, each between two vertical uprights, being foldable or not inwardly of said container 1. In accordance with the invention, and as shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5 in connection with with FIG. 1, the at least one lateral wall 4 or each of the lateral walls 4 present is secured, at its lower edge, to the lower ends of the two uprights 3 adjacent to said lateral wall 4 or to vertical tube portions 5 integral with the base 2 and supporting said adjacent uprights 3, by means of two opposite lateral fingers 6 engaged in corresponding orifices 7 formed in the walls of said uprights 3 or said po 5, each of said fingers 6 having a folded end portion 6 'extending substantially parallel to the internal faces of said walls, at a short distance from the latter;

or in contact with them.

  According to a first characteristic of the invention, the lateral fingers 6 may advantageously be constituted by extensions of the ends of a lower transverse elongated element 8 'of a frame 8 delimiting the edges of the lateral wall or walls 4. The latter may be provided with locking members 9 in the vertical position by hooking to the adjacent posts 3, in the form of at least one pair of opposite side latches whose bolts 9 'are intended to be releasably engaged in corresponding holes 10 arranged in the adjacent walls of the uprights 3 or in the form of at least one pair of opposed fixed rods whose ends protruding from the side walls 4 are held in said orifices 10. With support on the inner faces of the walls of the uprights 3 or portions of tube 5 by end portions 6 'of their lateral fingers 6, when subjected to a force of bending resulting from a thrust exerted on the base of the corresponding side wall 4, the elongate transverse elements 8 ', for example in the form of rods, have a resistance to

  significantly increased deformation.

  The side walls 4 of the container 1 may consist, for example, either of partially or completely solid walls surrounded by a frame 8, or of screened walls (FIG. 1), or else of a mixture of these two types of walls, this according

intended uses.

  In order to further increase the flexural strength of the base of the side walls 4, the lower transverse elongate member 8 'of each frame 8 may be doubled, on the inward facing side of the container 1 when the side wall 4 concerned is

  in vertical position, of a reinforcing bar or rod 1 1.

  In addition, in order to allow any stacking of the side walls 4 after folding by pivoting inwardly of the container I around their base and the separation of said side walls 4, the orifices 7 of the walls of the uprights 3 or portions of the tube 5 receiving the lateral fingers 6 have an oblong shape oriented substantially vertically or in a direction having an acute inclination angle with respect to the vertical and whose length L is at least slightly greater than

  that of the end portions 6 'of the lateral fingers 6.

  With regard to the side walls 4 pivoting in the same direction as the uprights 3 for their folding and can therefore be folded simultaneously with the latter, it should be noted that the oblong holes 7 formed in the walls of the tube portions 5 supporting said uprights 3 must have a length sufficient to allow said side wall 4 to follow the pivoting movement of the uprights 3 when

their folding.

  In addition, there must be sufficient clearance behind the walls of the uprights 3 or tube portions 5 comprising the oblong orifices 7 to permit sufficient depression of the folded end portion 6 'of a lateral finger 6 when the extraction of the opposite lateral finger 6 of the corresponding oblong orifice 7. According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 4A and 4B of the accompanying drawings, the folded end portions 6 'of the lateral fingers 6 are arranged in the plane of the corresponding side wall 4 or slightly inclined towards the inside the container I with respect to said plane, the orifices

  oblong 7 being inclined towards the outside of the container 1.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B of the appended drawings, the folded end portions 6 'of the lateral fingers 6 are inclined with respect to the plane of the side wall 4 concerned, so as to be directed towards the interior of the container 1 when said lateral wall 4 is in a vertical position, the oblong orifices 7 having an orientation

substantially vertical.

  In the two aforementioned embodiments, the extraction of the lateral fingers 6 can only be performed in a position inclined outwards of the corresponding lateral wall 4, therefore in a position distinct from its vertical position of use and its

  non-use position folded horizontally.

  In addition, the removal of the side walls 4 can be operated even in the presence of a load inside the container I and / or when the latter supports one or more upper containers I,

  in the case of a stack of containers 1.

  As shown in particular in Figures I and 6 of the accompanying drawings, the orifices 10 of the walls of the uprights 3 receiving the bolts 9 'of the side latches 9 or the projecting ends of the corresponding rods have an oblong shape oriented substantially vertically, said bolts 9' or projecting ends including, where appropriate, folded end portions 9 "extending parallel to the inner faces of said walls of the

amounts 3.

  This arrangement makes it possible to secure the locking of the fastening of the lateral walls 4 with the uprights 3 and, where appropriate, to provide attachment points for the lateral walls 4 on said uprights 3 thus increasing the flexural strength of said walls 4 during an outward thrust exerted on them. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the uprights 2 are hinged relative to the base 2 with the ability to pivot relative to a section body in FIG. Vertical U 12, integral with the base 2 and ensuring their maintenance in vertical position, each upright 3 comprising an automatic locking and locking device 13, in the raised vertical position, which can be unlocked by action on the side wall 4

  adjacent to the wall of the upright 3 comprising said device 13.

  The U-section body 12 may for example be part of a container base foot as described in the patent.

French No. 2,673,600.

  In this case the tube portion 5 having the orifice 10 may consist of a tube portion open on one side and formed by the lower part of the U-section body 12 (Figure 3) below the pivot point of the upright 3 As shown more precisely in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, each automatic locking and locking device 13 consists of a bolt 14 whose functional end 14 is oriented towards the lower end of the upright. 3 corresponding rectangular section and mounted in a slide, adapted 15, fixed on one of the walls of the upright 3 adjacent to a side wall 4, with sliding ability between a lower deployed position and an upper folded position being subjected to an elastic force directed towards the lower end of said upright 3, said functional end 14 'of the bolt 14 latching, when said upright 3 arrives in position vertical, in a cutout 16 forming a striker formed in the upper part of one of the wings 12 'of the U-section body 12 ensuring the holding in position

vertical of the amount 3 considered.

  The elastic force acting on the bolt 14 to move it into a downward extension position of its front part, whose functional end 14 'is bevel-shaped, may, for example, consist of a spring compression 29 housed in an oblong orifice formed in the median part of the bolt 14 surrounded by the slide 15 and bearing on a fixed pin 29 '

  through the aforementioned oblong hole (Figure 3).

  In the engaged position of the automatic locking and locking device 13, the beveled functional end 14 'of the bolt 14 is engaged, with shape conjugation, in the cutout 16 remaining even after engagement by being subjected to a delastic force, the beveled side being directed the opposite of the meaning of

  pivoting the corresponding amount 3 when folding.

  In addition, the free end of the wing 12 'of the U-section body 12 may also include an inclined plane 30 facilitating the retraction of the bolt 14 cooperating with the bevel of the functional end 14' during the introduction said amount 3 in the room 12 at the end of recovery. In order to allow the manipulation of the two automatic locking and locking devices 13 simultaneously and thus to allow the unblocking and folding of the two uprights 3 concerned in a single operation, it can be advantageously provided that the bolts 14 of said automatic device 13 automatic locking and locking comprise a rear portion 14 ", opposite to the functional front portion 14 'and disengaged from the corresponding slide, provided with an orifice 17 for the passage of the end of a fastening member 9 removable or not mounted on the adjacent side wall 4 and extending into an orifice 10 of the

amount 3 considered (Figure 2).

  Advantageously, the securing members may consist of side latches 9 for locking the side walls 4 in a vertical position that can be engaged in oblong holes 10 formed in the adjacent walls of the uprights 3 and extending at least partially under the rear portions 14 "of the bolts 14 of the automatic latching and locking devices 13. These latches 9 may comprise, in addition to their sliding and partially pivoting bolts 9 ', an operating handle ensuring, in the folded position against the sidewall flank. 4 concerned, the locking of the bolts 9 'in the orifices 10 of the

amounts 3 (Fig. 6C).

  However, the locking members 9 may also consist of rods rigidly fixed to the side walls 4 and whose projecting ends are permanently engaged and non-removably in the orifices 10 of the corresponding uprights 3. The orifices 17 formed in said rear portions 14 "of said bolts 14 have an oblong shape oriented vertically and are aligned with the orifices 10 of oblong shape formed in the walls of the uprights 3, the relative positions and the dimensions of the oblong orifices 10 and 17 arranged in the walls of the uprights 3 and in the rear portions 14 "of the bolts 14 being such that, on the one hand, the upper end of the oblong orifices 17 formed in the rear portions 14" of the bolts 14 is shifted downwards by relative to the upper end of the oblong orifices 10 for receiving the ends of the bolts 9 'of said side latches 9 or the projecting ends of the corresponding rods, in the latched position of the bolts 14 of the automatic locking and locking devices 13, from a distance sufficient to allow a vertical displacement of the adjacent side wall 4 to bring said bolts 14 into a folded or retracted unlocked position and that, on the other hand, the lower end of the oblong orifices 17 households in the rear portions 14 "of the bolts 14 is at most level with the lower end of the oblong holes 10 for receiving the ends bolts 9 'of said lateral latches 9 or projecting ends of the corresponding rods, when said latches 14 of the locking and locking devices 13

  automatic are in folded or retracted position.

  Therefore, by pulling vertically on the side wall 4 carrying the side latches 9 or the corresponding rods through the orifices 17 of the bolts 14 of the automatic devices 13 of the two uprights 3 adjacent to said side wall 4, said latches 9 or said rods act on said bolts 14 and cause a retraction of the latter and the unlocking of the two uprights 3, thus allowing a folding of the latter

  sets with said common side wall 4.

  Similarly, the vertical repositioning by pivoting said two uprights 3 and the common side wall 4 can be performed in one operation by raising said side wall 4 and forcing it in a vertical position until elastic engagement

  two bolts 14 in the two corresponding cutouts 16.

  However, in order to also be able to fold the aforementioned lateral wall 4 independently, without having to fold up the adjacent uprights 3, it can be provided that, when the latches 14 are engaged in the latch-forming recesses 16 of the corresponding U-section bodies 12, the distance between the upper end of the oblong holes 17 formed in the rear portions 14 "of the bolts 14 of the automatic locking and locking devices 13 and the lower end of the oblong orifices 10 formed in the wall of the uprights 3 under said rear portions 14 "of said bolts 14, is sufficient to allow the passage, in a suitable rotational position of the sliding side locks 9 concerned, folded end portions 9" of the bolts 9 'of said

side locks 9.

  In addition, each bolt 14 may also include, at its rear portion 14 ", a lug 31 for individually actuating the automatic locking and locking device 13 of an amount 3considered for its unlocking by retraction of its bolt 14 and the subsequent folding of the

amount 3 alone.

  Thanks to the arrangements described above, it is possible to obtain automatic locking and locking devices 13 acting in a positive manner in the locked state and having a simple and compact structure, being

  contiguous to the corresponding amount 3 and protected by the latter.

  In addition, these automatic devices 13 allow the folding and deployment, with automatic locking in the vertical position, of an entire pan (a side wall 4 and two uprights 3) of the container in a single manipulation, while also allowing the folding or independent deployment of various

elements constituting said pan.

  According to a further feature of the invention, shown in particular in Figures I and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the container I may comprise at least one side wall 4 constituted by at least two panels 18, 18 'provided, each, from minus a pair of opposite side latches 9 and articulated together about a horizontal axis H at their adjacent horizontal edges connected by means of hinge members 19 to

  two parts, facilitating in particular their assembly and disassembly.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings, each hinge element 19 is composed, on the one hand, of a first part 20 consisting of a plate-shaped main body 20 'extended in its upper part by an edge bent "forming a housing for the rod constituting the lower frame portion 21 of the upper panel 18 and, secondly, a second plate-shaped member 22 'having an upper tongue 22" double bent which can be inserted into a corresponding slot 23 formed in the free end of the curved edge 20 ", the rod constituting the upper frame portion 24 of the lower panel 18 'being clamped between the two plates 20' and 22 'mentioned above during assembly of the hinge element 19 under the clamping action resulting from the cooperation of a nut 25 attached to the face of the second piece 22 facing said first piece 20 with a screw 26 passing through said first piece 20 and bearing on its opposite side to said second piece 22, being level

  with said opposite face after clamping.

  Thus, said hinge element 19 has no protruding part and can be mounted using a single tool (screwdriver). In order to ensure a rigid attachment of the hinge element 19, the plate 20 'constituting mainly the first part 20 and / or the plate 22' constituting mainly the second part 22 comprises (nt) a recess portion 27 allowing the pinch at least one wire 28 of lattice forming part of the lower grid panel 18 ', during the clamping assembly of said

pieces 20 and 22 between them.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (14)

  Container, of the type comprising a pallet-shaped base, vertical uprights, folding or not, in the form of tubes and mounted at the corners of said base and at least one side wall extending, each, between two uprights vertical, being foldable or not inwardly of said container, characterized in that the at least one side wall (4) or each of the side walls (4) present is secured, at its lower edge, to the lower ends of the two uprights (3) adjacent to said lateral wall (4) or to vertical tube portions (5) integral with the base (2) and supporting said adjacent uprights (3) by means of two opposite lateral fingers (6) engaged in corresponding openings (7) formed in the walls of said uprights (3) or said tube portions (5), each of said fingers (6) having a folded end portion (6 ') extending substantially parallel to the faces internal said walls, at a short distance from them or in contact therewith. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral fingers (6) are constituted by extensions of the ends of a lower transverse elongate member (8 ') of a frame (8) delimiting the edges of the or side walls (4), the latter being provided with locking members (9) in vertical position by hooking to the adjacent uprights (3), in the form of at least one pair of opposing side latches including the bolts (9 '). ) are intended to be detachably engaged in corresponding orifices (10) in the adjacent walls of the uprights (3) or in the form of at least one pair of opposed fixed rods whose ends projecting from the walls   side are held in said orifices (10).   Container according to any one of claims 1 and   2, characterized in that the elongated element (8 ') is doubled, on the side facing the inside of the container (1) when the side wall (4) concerned is in a vertical position, of a bar or a reinforcement rod (11) and in that the orifices (7) of the walls of the uprights (3) or of the tube portions (5) receiving the lateral fingers (6) have an oblong shape oriented substantially vertically or in a direction presenting a Angle of inclination that is acute with respect to the vertical and whose length (L) is at least slightly greater than that of the end portions   linked (6 ') of the lateral fingers (6).   Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the folded end portions (6 ') of the lateral fingers (6) are arranged in the plane of the corresponding side wall (4) or inclined slightly towards the inside of the container. (1) with respect to said plane and in that the oblong holes (7) are inclined towards the outside of the container (1).   5. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the folded end portions (6 ') of the lateral fingers (6) are inclined relative to the plane of the side wall (4) concerned, so as to be directed towards the the interior of the container (1) when said side wall (4) is in a vertical position, and in that the oblong holes (7) have a substantially vertical orientation.   Container according to one of Claims 2 to 5,   characterized in that the orifices (10) of the walls of the uprights (3) receiving the bolts (9 ') of the lateral latches (9) or the projecting ends of the corresponding rods have an oblong shape oriented substantially vertically, said bolts (9'). or said projecting ends including, where appropriate, folded end portions (9 ") extending parallel to the inner faces said walls of the uprights (3).   Container according to one of Claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the uprights (3) are each hinged relative to the base (2) with the ability to pivot relative to a vertical U-section body (12), integral with the base (2) and ensuring their holding in vertical position, each upright (3) comprising an automatic locking and locking device (13) in the raised vertical position, which can be unlocked by action on the side wall (4) adjacent to the wall of the upright   (3) comprising said device (13).   8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the automatic device (13) for locking and locking consists of a bolt (14) whose functional end (14) is oriented towards the lower end of the upright (3) corresponding rectangular section and mounted in a slide, adapted (15), fixed on one of the walls of the upright (3) adjacent to a side wall (4), with sliding ability between a lower deployed position and an upper folded position being subjected to an elastic force directed towards the lower end of said upright (3), said functional end (14 ') of the bolt (14) latching, when said upright (3) arrives in a vertical position, in a cutout (16) forming a striker formed in the upper part of one of the wings (12 ') of the U-section body (12) ensuring the holding in position   vertical of the amount (3) considered.   Container according to one of claims 2 to 7   and 8, characterized in that the bolts (14) of the automatic locking and locking device (13) comprise a rear part (14 ") opposite to the functional front part (14) and disengaged from the corresponding slideway (15). , provided with an orifice (17) for passing the end of a removable fastening member (9) mounted on the adjacent lateral wall (4) and extending   in an orifice (10) of the upright (3) considered.   10. Container according to claim 6 and claim 9, characterized in that the removable securing members consist of side latches (9) for locking the side walls (4) in a vertical position which can be engaged in holes (10) of oblong shape formed in the adjacent walls of the uprights (3) and extending at least partially under the rear portions (14 ") of the bolts (14) of the automatic locking and locking devices (13) and in that the orifices ( 17) formed in said rear portions (14 ") of said bolts (14) have an oblong shape oriented vertically and are aligned with the orifices (10) of oblong shape formed in the walls of the uprights (3), the relative positions of the oblong orifices. (10 and 17) formed in the walls of the uprights (3) and in the rear portions (14 ") of the bolts (14) being such that, on the one hand, the upper end of the oblong holes (17) formed in therear portions (14 ") of the bolts (14) is offset downwards relative to the upper end of the oblong holes (10) for receiving the ends of the bolts (9 ') of said latches (9) side, in the engaged position of bolts (14) of the automatic locking and locking devices (13), a distance sufficient to allow a vertical displacement of the adjacent side wall (4) for bringing said bolts (14) into a folded or retracted position of unlocking and that, on the other hand, the lower end of the oblong holes (17) formed in the rear portions (14 ") of the bolts (14) is at most level with the lower end of the oblong orifices (10) of receiving the ends of the bolts (9 ') of said lateral locks (9), when said bolts (14) of the locking and locking devices (13)   automatic are in folded or retracted position.   11. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that, when the bolts (14) are engaged in the recesses (16) latches bodies (12) corresponding U-section, the distance between the upper end of the oblong holes (17) formed in the rear portions (14 ") of the bolts (14) of the automatic locking and locking devices (13) and the lower end of the oblong holes (10) formed in the wall of the uprights (3) under said rear portions (14 ") of said bolts (14), is sufficient to allow the passage, in a suitable rotational position of the lateral locks (9) concerned, folded end portions (9") of the bolts (9 ') of said locks lateral (9).   Container according to one of claims 2 to   11, characterized in that it comprises at least one side wall (4) constituted by at least two panels (18, 18 ') provided, each, with at least one pair of opposite lateral locks (9) and articulated between them around a horizontal axis (H) at their adjacent horizontal edges connected by means of hinge elements (19) in two parts.   Container according to claim 12, characterized in that each hinge element (19) is composed, on the one hand, of a first part (20) consisting of a plate-like main body (20 ') extended in its upper part by a curved edge (20 ") forming a housing for the rod constituting the lower frame portion (21) of the upper panel (18) and, on the other hand, a second piece (22) in the form of a plate (22 ') having a double bent tongue (22 ") which can be inserted into a corresponding slot (23) in the free end of the curved edge (20"), the rod constituting the upper frame portion (24) of the lower panel (18 ') being clamped between said two plates (20' and 22 ') when mounting the hinge element (19) under the clamping action resulting from the cooperation of a nut (25) attached to the face of the second piece (22) facing said first piece (20) with a screw (26) passing through said first piece (20) and bearing on its face opposite to said second piece (22).   Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the plate (20 ') constituting mainly the first part (20) and / or the plate (22') constituting mainly the second part (22) comprises (nt) a part of recess (27) for clamping at least one wire (28) of lattice forming part of the lower grid panel (18 '), during the clamping of said pieces (20 and 22) between them.