FR2930237A1 - Foldable container for e.g. transporting vehicle gearbox, has foldable support maintaining plate in plane parallel to base during displacement of plate between upper usage position and lower folded position in which plate rests on base - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has a base (10) with fixed posts (12) mounted at corners of the base. A movable plate (20) forms a support surface extending parallel to the base, and is connected to the base by a foldable support. The support maintains the plate in a plane parallel to the base during displacement of the plate along a vertical direction between an upper usage position and a lower folded position. The plate is situated remote from the base in direction of free ends of the post when the plate is in the usage position, and rests on the base when the plate is in the folded position.

Description

The invention relates to a collapsible container with two support surfaces, intended for the transport and storage of mechanical parts, and more particularly of vehicle parts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Such a container is used in particular for the transport and storage of parts or assemblies, for example of the gearbox type or the like, useful for the manufacture of machines or vehicles, in particular the chain. There are already containers with two superimposed support surfaces. They generally comprise a c-shaped or rectangular base, forming a first level for loading the pieces, provided with uprights mounted at the corners of the base, and a plate forming a second support surface extending parallel to the base. the base, at a distance from the latter towards the free ends of the uprights. In order to optimize the bulk of such a container when it is not loaded, and thus optimize, for example, the available interior space of a truck trailer carrying the empty container, certain containers were made so as to allow the folding of the plate forming the second support surface on the base. The document EP 1 666 365 describes a container of this type, in which the plate is articulated to upper side walls themselves hinged to the uprights, so as to allow the tray to be folded onto the base. This operation is performed by folding a first upper side wall towards the base, thus causing the side of the plate connected to this wall to be lowered, the plate then being in an inclined position, then folding the second opposite upper side wall towards the base, causing the other side of the tray to lower until it rests substantially horizontally on the base. Such a configuration has the disadvantage of requiring a folding in two stages of the tray, the operator 35 to further support the tray when folding or. its setting in load position.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a collapsible container with two superimposed support surfaces of the aforementioned type, configured to simplify the handling of the plate, thus facilitating the maneuvering of the operator during lifting and lowering. of the plateau. To this end, the object of the invention relates to a collapsible container with two superimposed support surfaces, comprising a base, with a square or rectangular contour, forming a first support surface for loading parts, provided with fixed amounts mounted at the same level. corners of the base, and a movable platen forming a second support surface extending parallel to the base, characterized in that the movable platen is connected to the base by a folding support designed to hold the platen in a plane parallel to the base during its displacement in a vertical direction between an upper position of use in which the plate is located at a distance from the base towards the free ends of the fixed uprights, and a folded lower position in which the plate rests on the base. The tray can thus be raised or lowered simply between its upper and lower positions. Advantageously, the folding support is controlled by a control member whose actuation allows the lifting and lowering of the tray. The operator can thus control the lifting or lowering of the tray in a single operation. Advantageously, the plate is provided with vertical feet mounted at its corners, and the fixed amounts are provided with vertical guide surfaces capable of cooperating with the feet of the plate. This configuration makes it possible to guide the lifting or lowering of the tray parallel to the base. Advantageously, the folding support comprises at least one support element for moving the plate between the use and folded positions. In a particular embodiment, the folding support 35 comprises at least four folding uprights, the ends of each upright being hingedly mounted for one on the tray and for the other on the base, each upright being formed of a part

upper and lower part connected to each other by means of a hinge piece, the folding uprights being interconnected so that they can be folded or raised simultaneously by moving the one or the other closer to each other. 'joint.

For example, the collapsible uprights are connected in pairs by two arms, each arm being articulated between the hinge part of one of the two folding uprights and a common support plate located between the arms, and a central axis, extending in a plane perpendicular to the planes formed by the pairs of folding uprights, rotatably connects the support plates of the pairs of collapsible uprights, each end of the central axis being mounted in free rotation on a support integral with the base. Such a configuration ensures simultaneous movement of the pairs of collapsible uprights during their lifting or crimping. Advantageously, the upper parts of a pair of folding uprights are connected by a spring mounted so as to oppose the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the plate. Preferably, a control lever is secured to the lower part of one of the folding uprights and extends substantially parallel thereto, and the plate is provided with a stop capable of locking the control lever when the tray is in upper position of use. The action on the lever thus causes the lower part of the upright to pivot towards the base or in the opposite direction, and simultaneously the pivoting of the lower parts of the other hinged uprights. Preferably, the tray comprises an I-shaped frame and two tray portions each independently connected to the frame 30 so as to be pivotable about one of their longitudinal edge between a horizontal support position and a raised position. The lifting of one or the other part of the tray facilitates access to the base for loading / unloading. Advantageously, the container comprises side walls 35 mounted on the fixed uprights so as to be pivotable between a raised use position and a storage position folded towards the tray in the folded lower position.

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a container according to the invention in use position; - Figure 2 shows in perspective the container of Figure 1 in the folded position; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mobile plate of the container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as its folding support; FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a front view of the mobile plate of FIG. 3, respectively in the positions of use, half folded, and fully folded; FIGS. 7a and 7b show the control member of the folding support of the movable plate of FIG. 3 in the locking position and in the unlocking position respectively.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 according to the invention ready to be loaded. This container is of the foldable type with two superimposed support surfaces 20. It comprises a base 10, with a rectangular contour in the example shown, forming a first support surface for loading parts and a movable plate 20 forming a second support surface extending parallel to the base. The container is generally placed on a flat horizontal surface so that its base is generally horizontal. Preferably, the base consists of a series of metal tubes. The movable plate 20 has a general shape identical to the shape of the base 10, of slightly smaller dimensions. The base 10 is provided with fixed uprights 12 mounted at the corners of the base, and extending perpendicularly to the base. According to the invention, the movable plate 20 is connected to the base 10 by a folding support designed in such a way maintaining the tray 20 in a plane parallel to the base 10 as it moves in a vertical direction between an uppermost use position (shown in FIG. 1) in which the tray is spaced from the base toward the ends free fixed amounts, and a

folded lower position (shown in Figure 2) in which the plate rests on the base. The movable plate 20 is provided with vertical legs 22 mounted at its corners. In the folded position, the tray. mobile based on the base 10 through these feet 22. In addition, the fixed amounts 12 of the base are provided with vertical guide surfaces 14 adapted to cooperate with the feet 22 of the tray. In the example shown, these vertical guide surfaces extend in pairs in the same vertical plane, in the extension of two fixed amounts 12 (see Figure 1). Preferably, the folding support comprises at least one assistance element to move the plate between the use positions and folded. An example of an assistance element will be described in more detail later in the description.

An embodiment of the folding support is now described in more detail. The folding support shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 comprises four folding uprights 30, the two ends of each upright 30 being mounted articulated for one on the plate 20 and for the other on the base 10. The folding uprights are attached to near the corners of the plate and the base, respectively, so as to be substantially vertical in the position of use of the movable plate. Each folding upright 30 is formed of an upper portion 31 and a lower portion 32 interconnected by means of a hinge piece 33. The hinged uprights 30 are further connected to each other so as to be folded or simultaneously measured by moving their articulation piece closer or further away from each other, respectively.

In the example, each hinge piece 33 is integral with the lower portion 32 of a hinged amount and articulated on the lower end of the upper portion 31 of the same hinged amount. In the example, the hinge parts 33 are each formed of two substantially triangular flanges interconnected and located on either side of a collapsible upright 30. An edge of these flanges is secured to the upper end of the flange. the lower part 32 of

mounting, their upper end being articulated by means of a pivot axis on the lower end of the upper portion 31 of a post and their other end is articulated to the end of an arm 34 described below.

The hinge parts 33 are also connected two by two thus connecting the collapsible uprights 30 in pairs. In the example, the collapsible uprights 30 of a small side of the container are connected in pairs by two arms 34. Each arm 34 is articulated between the hinge part 33 of one of the two uprights 30 and a plate A central axis 36, which extends in a plane perpendicular to the planes formed by the pairs of folding uprights, rotatably connects the support plates 35, as can be seen in FIG. 3. Thus, the support plates 35 of the two pairs of folding uprights are integral in rotation, the rotation of one causing the synchronized rotation of the other through the central axis 36. Each end of the central axis 36 is also mounted for free rotation on a support 37 integral with the base 10, which avoids a displacement of the support plates 35 and the central axis 36 during their rotation. In the example, the support plates 35 have a diamond shape, the center of which is provided with a square section orifice for the passage of the central axis 36 of square section, the two arms 34 being hinged at opposite ends. the diamond along the largest diagonal of the latter (Figure 4). Furthermore, the upper portions 31 of each pair of folding uprights 30 are connected by a spring 38 mounted to oppose the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the plate (Figure 1). Each spring 38 is fixed near the lower end of the upper parts by means of tabs 39 (Figure 4). Finally, a control lever 40 is provided to control the folding support of the plate 20. This control lever 40 is integral with the lower part 32 of one of the folding uprights 30 and extends substantially parallel thereto, towards the free end of the fixed amounts.

The plate 20 is provided with a stop 24 adapted to block the control lever 40 when the plate is in the upper position of use, as shown in Figures 1 and 7a. The control lever 40 is mounted on the lower part 32 of one of the folding uprights 30 so as to: remain permanently in the extension thereof, and is mounted at its lower end on a pivot 42 extending perpendicular to the direction of the lower portion 32, in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the pair of corresponding folding uprights (Figure 7a).

The control lever 40 can thus be rotated in the direction M1 indicated in Figures 3 and 7a, which allows its release of the abutment 24 secured to the plate 20 as shown in Figure 7b. Furthermore, the plate 20 comprises an I-shaped frame 26, the base of which bears the abutment 24, and two plate portions 27, 28 each independently connected to the frame 26 so as to be able to pivot about one of them. their longitudinal edge between a horizontal support position and a raised vertical position (Figure 3). Blocking means (not shown) may be provided to maintain these tray portions in a vertical position.

This arrangement facilitates the loading / unloading of the base by raising one or both parts 27, 28 of the tray. Finally, the collapsible container has upper side walls 2, 3, mounted on the fixed uprights 12 so as to be pivotable between a raised use position and a storage position folded towards the tray. In the example, these side walls are located on the short sides of the container, that is to say on the same side as the collapsible amounts of the support. Blocking means (not shown) are further provided to ensure the maintenance of these side walls in vertical position during use of the container. The description thus clearly shows that the upper side walls 2, 3 are independent of the movable plate 20 and its folding support, the movable plate 20 forming with its folding support, an assembly articulated directly on the base of the container, as visible on Figures 3 to 6. The use of the container is now described. In the use position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the plateau

mobile 20 is in the upper position of use and the upper side walls 2, 3 are vertical. In this upper position, the folding uprights 30 of the movable plate are in the vertical position, as is the control lever 40 which is blocked by the stop 24 (FIG. 7a). The arms 34 connecting the pairs of folding uprights extend substantially horizontally. In order to prevent the folding uprights 30 from bending towards the outside of the container, each leg 22 of the movable plate is provided with a horizontal abutment 23 which bears against the opposite lateral face of the upper part 31 of each folding upright in the position of use of the movable plate (Figures 3 and 4). In the use position, the two deck portions 27 and 28 can be lifted simultaneously, or one after the other, to load the base, or to unload it. To bring the movable plate 20 in the folded lower position, the operator releases the control lever 40 from its stop 24 by pivoting the lever 40 around the pivot 42 in the direction M1 shown in Figures 3 and 7a. Once in the disengaged position shown in Figure 7b, the lever 40 can then be pulled down and the container in the direction M2 shown in Figures 3 and 5, thereby causing the tilting of the lower portion 32 of the folding amount which associated with it towards the center of the base, as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6. By means of the arms 34 and the support plate 35, the lower part 32 of the folding upright forming part of the same pair is simultaneously folded towards the center of the base, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The plates 35 of the two pairs of folding uprights being integral in rotation through the central axis 36, the lower parts 32 of the other pair of folding uprights 30 also simultaneously follow the same movement. This results in a downward movement of the movable plate parallel to the base, facilitated by the guiding of the guide surfaces 14. During the descent of the movable plate, the springs 38 oppose the force of gravity, thus reducing the operator effort.

The movable plate thus descends until its feet 22 rest on the base 10, as shown in Figure 2. The control lever is then in an inclined position that does not protrude

substantially the volume occupied by the container, the upper side walls 2, 3 being folded towards the center of the container against the movable plate 20. In this folded position of the movable plate, the volume of the container is significantly reduced, allowing to reduce the cost of empty transport. The lifting of the movable plate is carried out in a simple way by first raising the upper side walls 2, 3 and locking them in the vertical position, then raising the control lever 40 in a direction opposite to the direction M2 until block it against the stop 24. The springs 38 then also promote the lifting of the movable plate by reducing the effort of the operator.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Foldable container (1) with two superimposed support surfaces, comprising a base (10), with a square or rectangular contour, forming a first support surface for loading parts, provided with fixed amounts (12) mounted at the corners of the base, and a movable platen (20) forming a second support surface extending parallel to the base, characterized in that the movable platen (20) is connected to the base by a folding support adapted to hold the platen ( 20) in a plane parallel to the base (10) during its displacement in a vertical direction between an upper position of use in which the plate is located at a distance from the base towards the free ends of the fixed uprights, and a position folded lower in which the tray rests on the base. Foldable container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding support is controlled by a control member whose actuation allows the lifting and lowering of the tray. Foldable container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate (20) is provided with vertical feet (22) mounted at its corners, and in that the fixed uprights (12) are provided with guide (14) vertical capable of cooperating with the feet (22) of the tray. 4. collapsible container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the folding support comprises at least one assistance element to the displacement of the tray. between the positions of use and folded. Foldable container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the folding support comprises at least four folding uprights (30), the two ends of each upright (30) being hingedly mounted for one on the tray (20) and for the other on the base (10), each foldable amount (30) being formed of an upper portion (31) and a lower portion (32) interconnected by means of a piece d articulation (33), the collapsible uprights (30) being interconnected so that they can be folded or raised simultaneously by moving the joint piece closer to or away from each other. 6. collapsible container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the collapsible uprights (30) are connected in pairs by two arms (34), each arm (34) being hingedly mounted between the hinge piece (33). ) of one of the two folding uprights (30) and a common support plate (35) located between the arms (34), and in that a central axis (36) extending in a plane perpendicular to the formed planes by the pairs of folding uprights, rotatably connects the support plates (35) of the pairs of folding uprights, each end of the central axis (36) being mounted in free rotation on a support (37) integral with the base (10). ). Foldable container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the upper parts (31) of a pair of folding uprights are connected by a spring (38) mounted to oppose the force of gravity exerted by the weight of the plate (20). 8. collapsible container (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a control lever (40) is secured to the lower portion (32) of one of the foldable amounts (30) and s extends substantially parallel thereto, and in that the plate (20) is provided with a stop (24) adapted to lock the control lever when the plate is in the upper position of use. Foldable container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the plate (20) comprises an I-shaped armature (26) and two plate parts (27, 28), each independently connected to the frame (26) so as to be pivotable about one of their longitudinal edge between a horizontal support position and a raised position. 10. collapsible container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises side walls (2, 3) mounted on the fixed amounts (12) so as to be pivotable between a position of use raised and a storage position folded back to the tray (20) in the lower position folded.