GB2256630A

GB2256630A - Folding flatrack

Info

Publication number: GB2256630A
Application number: GB9206848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Clive-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-27
Filing date: 1992-03-27
Publication date: 1992-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-27
Also published as: GB2256630B; GB9206848D0; GB9106510D0

Abstract

A folding flatrack shipping container has walls 3, 4 which fold down onto the floor of its platform base (1) and in that position, the wall is arranged to support and secure cargo placed upon it by means of lashings and framework (4) specially arranged to do so. The frame has holes to allow stanchions (16) to pass and recessed hoops (15). The wall has a panel (13) which may be of wood or metal and can be recessed or flush with the frame (4). <IMAGE>

Description

Title:- WALL FOR A FOLDING FLATRACK In the field of shipping containers there is a type of container or cargo carrier called a folding flatrack which comprises a horizontal platform base with a wall having vertical posts, typically one at each corner, with a panel connecting the posts. The wall can either be locked in the vertical position or can be unlocked and folded down on to the base. Once the wall is folded the container can be stacked with other folded flatracks to enable economical storage and transport.

It is a desirable feature of a folding flatrack that once the wall is folded, the container can be used as a simple platform container whereby cargo can be placed on top of the wall. However the strength requirements of a wall in the erect position are normally such that it would not be strong enough to support very heavy cargo when folded down, without the wall becoming damaged. Furthermore, once the wall is folded down, the wall covers the normal points provided for lashings which are accessible when the wall is in the erect position.

In known flatrack designs where the walls fold substantially flush with the floor of the base, it is necessary to provide recesses and toughs in the floor surface to receive the frame members. These recesses interfere with cargo support and also weaken the base structure. The reinforcements needed to overcome the weaknesses add weight and cost to the base.

According to the present invention there is provided a folding flatrack comprising a platform base with one or more walls each comprising a panel mounted on a framework, the framework being pivotally attached to the base to facilitate the folding down of the wall onto the floor of the base such that the panel and at least part of the framework in the folded position rests on the floor when cargo is placed upon it.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a folding flatrack in the erect position.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a folding flatrack in the folded position.

Referring to figure 1, the flatrack comprises a base 1 having side rails 6 and sills 8 and a floor 9. The walls 10 comprise a panel 3 mounted on a framework 17 comprising corner posts 2, top rail 4, bottom rail 5. At the top of each post 2 is a corner fitting 7. At the end of each side rail 6 there is a corner fitting 7. When the wall 10 is erect, cargo 11 placed on the floor 9 is typically held in place by lashings 12 tied around the cargo 11 and fixed to the base 1 through hoops 13. To prevent the cargo 11 slipping longitudinally, typically the cargo 11 is supported by bracing 14 which can bear on the wall 10 or is nailed directly into the floor 9, being typically made of timber to receive nails for this purpose.

In the outer facing side of the wall 10 there can be seen hoops 15 fixed to the posts 2 within the recess formed by the panel 3, top rails 4 and bottom rails 5 so that they do not project outside the rectangular box envelope formed by the position of the corner fittings 7.

Attached to the base 1 side rails 6 are stanchion pockets 16 comprising a hollow vertically aligned box open at the top.

stanchion pockets 16 are used as sockets to receive temporary posts (not shown) to add further to cargo restraint.

In figure 2, the walls 10 are folded down on to base 1 and it' can be seen that the floor 9 is partly covered by the walls 10 and the hoops 13 and stanchion pockets 16 are obscured by the posts 2. Therefore to secure cargo 11 to the flatrack now requires additional lashing hoops 15. Hoops 15 are fixed to the outer surfaces of wall 10 so that they are accessible when the wall 10 is folded. The bottom rail 5 and top rail 4 project above the panel 3 so that bracing 14 can be placed between the rail 5 and cargo 11 to provide longitudinal restraint. The panel 3 is typically fairly flexible and lies close or directly on the floor 9. Under the weight of the cargo 11 the panel 3 deflects down onto the floor 9 and is thus able to support the heaviest cargo 11.

In addition, stanchion pockets 16' recessed within the posts 2 fall in a suitable position for use when the walls 10 are folded down.

Similar pockets and lashings might be set into any suitable part of the framework 17 or panel 3.

The posts 2 can either be set as shown in figure 2 where they project above the panel 3, or alternatively, they might lie flush with the surface of panel 3 enabling the width of the cargo to be increased yet lie on a continuous surface comprising the panel 3 and posts 2. In this example the lashings 15 would be recessed within the posts 2 or set into the top rail 4 and/or rail 5.

It can be seen that the surface of the floor 9 can be continuous without the need to cut troughs and recesses into its load bearing structure in order to receive the framework 17. This is because the top rail 4 and rail 5 lie on or above the floor 9 and the posts 2 can be arranged either to lie on or above the floor 9 or they can drop partly or wholly beside the base 1.

It is envisaged that other special lashing or fastening points might be fixed to the outer face of the wall 10 to facilitate the retention of cargo on the folded flatrack.

The wall 10 need not necessarily be placed at the end of the base 1 but could be at the side or at some intermediate position to suit any particular application. There might be several walls 10 or just one.

Claims

1. A folding flatrack comprising a platform base with one or more walls each comprising a panel mounted on a framework, the framework being pivotally attached to the base to facilitate the folding down of the wall onto the floor of the base such that the panel and at least part of the framework in the folded position rests on the floor when cargo is placed upon it.

2. A folding flatrack as in claim 1 in which at least part of the framework projects above the outer surface of the panel.

3. A folding flatrack as in claim 1 or 2 in which at least some of the outer surface of the framework lies substantially flush with the outer surface of the panel.

4. A folding flatrack as in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which in which there are no recesses formed in the floor of the base to receive any part of the framework.

5. A folding flatrack as in claim 1 to 4 in which there are lashing points built in and recessed within the outer surfaces of the wall.

6. A folding flatrack as in claim 5 in which the lashing points comprise stanchion pockets.

7. A folding flatrack as in claim 5 in which the lashing points comprise hoops.

8. A folding flatrack as in claim 1 to 3 in which the panel comprises a substantially flat metal sheet.

9. A folding flatrack as in claim 1 to 3 in which the panel comprises a substantially flat timber sheet.