GB2294453A

GB2294453A - Collapsible Flatrack

Info

Publication number: GB2294453A
Application number: GB9520192A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Clive-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-24
Filing date: 1995-10-03
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Also published as: GB9520192D0; GB9421349D0

Abstract

A flatrack is of the type having end post(s) 2 or wall(s) 4 which can be folded down onto the platform or erected and locked in a vertical position and in which the end post(s)/wall(s) can be removed by removing a hinge pin 10. To assist insertion or removal, the hinge pin can be tapered, have a threaded hole (27, Fig 4B) or an end shoulder. The pin can be held in position by a cover plate of catch (Figs 3 or 4D). The post(s)/wall(s) can be held in the erect position by a latch such as a tapered pin (20, Fig 3). Preferably the erection is spring assisted. The spring can be leaf, coil or a torsion bar and may be releasable e.g. by unhooking (Fig 6) or releasing a clamped mount (Figs 7A and B). Preferably the post(s)/wall(s) are provided with an abutment (43, Figs 5 to 7B) which help to position or keep them in position whilst attaching or removing the hinge pin. Preferably the end wall(s) are pivoted outwardly to provide a ramp portion or a separate part of the deck 15 may be provided for this purpose. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: A collapsible flatrack with removable walls.

In the field of shipping containers there is a series of containers called collapsible flatracks comprising a platform base with erect posts normally at either end though sometimes toward the middle. The posts fold down onto the base to allow the folded flatracks to be stacked one upon another for economical transport and storage. Such collapsible flatracks have been around for decades and are described in many an earlier patent. It is sometimes desired to load the flatrack from one end rather than from the side.

Since flatracks are often used for cargos which are too wide or high to fit inside a common enclosed freight container, then to make a door in the end of the flatrack would not be of sufficient size for cargo access. If a simple removable post system could be devised, then this would allow cargo to be loaded from the end of the flatrack.

However post removal is not the only need for the collapsible flatrack. The post must also be able to be folded down onto the base, and in its folding, the post must have counterbalance springs or other resilient biassing to enable the post to be folded and erected manually. There are many types of known springs which are connected to the posts or walls of collapsible flatracks to provide such a function. But to be able to remove the post or wall easily, the spring system must also be easily disconnected.

Another problem arises with end wall removal. The walls pivot on fairly substantial pivot pins, and over the years, these pins begin to corrode or seize up with dirt. Thus their removal from engagement with the post hinge elements after some time can be problematical. So some improvement in the ability of a pivot pin to be withdrawn is also a preferable feature.

During the removal and fitting of the wall, it is important that personnel and cargo are not hurt. So some safety features to prevent the wall falling down on these is a further advantage.

Within the normal operating environment of a shipping container, tools are limted those that operate the flatracks cannot always receive instruction before operating the mechanisms. So simplicity and obviousness of operation are useful features.

The present invention seeks to address these problems and provide a practical platform based shipping container having one or more posts, the posts being pivotally connected to the base so that they can be folded down to the base and erected to a vertical position, once in the erect position there being means to lock the wall erect, the locks and pivotal device being releasable so that the posts can be removed from their erect andlor folded working position.

The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures.

In figure 1 there is seen a perspective view of a typical collapsible flatrack in the erect position, dotted lines indicating the folded position of the posts.

In figure 2 the same collapsible flatrack has one end erect, one end removed and a vehicle being driven onto the base.

In figure 3 there is seen a detailed view of a corner hinge arrangement in perspective view.

In figure 4A there is seen in outline locking holes out of alignment.

In figure 4B, 4B and 4D there are seen a pivot pins with improved features.

In figure 5 there is seen the side elevation of a hinge and counterbalance spring.

In figure 6 there is seen a view similar to figure 5 with a different spring and hinge.

In figure 7A there is seen a view as figure 5 with a different spring.

Figure 7B shows an alternative detail to figure 7A.

In figure 8 there is seen a collapsible flatrack with alternative end walls fitted.

In figure 9 there is seen a side elevation of another arrangment where the posts or walls are used as a ramp.

In figure 1 there is seen a typical collapsible flatrack having a platform base 1, and posts 2 at each corner of one end. The posts 2 can operate independently of each other.

At the far end another typical arrangement is seen in which posts 3 are connected to each other and form part of a wall 4. The wall 4 includes frame members 5 and optional cladding sheet 6.

The posts 2, 3 are connected to the base 1 by hinges 7 which in this example comprise a male part 8 welded to the posts 2, 3 and a female part 9 welded to the base 1. The male 8 is pivotally connected to the female 9 via a pivot pin 10.

The hinge 7 can be locked by many a known device so that the posts 2, 3 are fixed in the erect position for handling and stacking one container upon another.

The posts 2,3 and in particular the wall 4 are too heavy to fold and erect manually typically weighing almost half a tonne. So it is usual to connect springs suitably orientated between the base 1 and posts 2, 3 to counterbalance the weight of the posts 2, 3 as they rotate to the folded position. Such springs might comprise a tension or compression spring 11, or torsion springs 12 described later.

Folding of the posts 2, 3 takes them down onto the base 1 shown in dotted line 2', 3'. Once the posts 2, 3 are in the folded position 2' 3', then the collapsible flatrack can be transported or stacked with other similar flatracks for economical transport and stowage.

Referring to figure 2, it is desired that the posts 2, 3 or wall 4 be removable so that large vehicles can be driven onto the base 1. So wall 4 has been lifted off the base 1 by means of a hoist 13 connected to a lifting machine such as a crane or forklift truck not shown here. A vehicle 14 is shown driving onto the base 1. Ramps 15 have been provided to allow the vehicle 14 to drive from ground level 16 to the floor 17 of base 1. The base 1 comprises a floor 17 often of timber supported on a peripheral frame comprising side rails 18 and end sills 19. The upper most surface of the side rails 18 and end sills 19 are arranged so as to be close to the surface of the floor 17. In this way the vehicle 14 can easily drive onto the base 1 without meeting substantial obstacles.Ideally the width of the base 1 is substantially the same as the width across the posts 2, 3 within a margin of 10cm though sometimes much less.

It is envisaged that the ramp 15 might be carried within the base 1 in some form of locker or recess 56 within the floor 17 and brought out when needed. Ramp 15 might be mounted to the base 1 by hinges or operated by sliding it into position.

In figure 3 there is seen a close up perspective view of one of the hinges 7. There is seen a locking pin 20 which is partly shaped as a frustum which is fixed to a bar 21. The bar 21 carries the locking pin 20 and is mounted for sliding within apertures in plates 22 fixed to sill 19. A dumbbell shaped hammer 23 slides on bar 21 and when hammer 23 impacts stop 24 fixed to bar 21, it drives the bar 21 and thus pin 20 into holes 25, 26 formed in male 8 and female 9 thereby locking hinge 7. Because of the tapered nature of the pin 20, the holes 25, 26 can be misaligned to some degree and the tip of pin 20 still enter both holes 25, 26 and as it is hammered in further, the pin 20 draws female 9 into correct alignment. This ability to draw the posts 2, 3 to the base 1 is a great practical advantage when re-fitting posts 2, 3 to base 1 after it has been removed.

Alternatively the conical shaped pin 20 might be tapered in some other way such as in a wedge shape and operating in rectangular apertures would acheive the same purpose of drawing misaligned apertures together.

To remove the posts 2, 3 from the base 1, it is necessary to withdraw pivot pin 10 from engagement with male 8 as well as unlock pin 20. To aid the removal of pin 10, a tapped hole 27 as seen in figure 4B or other connector is featured on pin 10. Thus a tool 42 might be attached to pin 10 for the withdrawal of the pin 10. Alternatively the retaining plate 58 shown removed and in suspension in figure 3 which is used to retain pin 10 by being screwed to female 9 by screws 59 can be fixed directly to pin 10 as seen in figure 4C by screw 59 to assist in the removal of pin 10.

In another arrangement seen in figure 4D the pin 10 is seen to ahve an annular groove 67 cut into it. Part of male 8 and female 9 are seen in section and mounted pivotally to female 9 is a catch plate 68 which can be rotated into and out of engagement with groove 67. Thus such a plate as 68 can be devised to retain pin 10 within the hinge 7 yet be unlocked to allow release of pin 10 without need of special tools.

It is envisaged however that the withdrawal of pin 10 would be made easier under the dirty and corrosive environment of containers if the pin 10 have at least some portion of its surface tapered similar to that of pin 20 with pivot holes 45, 46 formed in male 8 and female 9 similarly tapered to seat on the pin 10 in the locked position. Alternatively as an aid to re-fitting pin 10 or 20, a larger (typically 10mum oor more) shallower angled (typically 15 degrees or less) taper portion 40 may be formed greater than a typical 3mm by 45 degree taper 41 used in the manufacture of pins 10, whereby the taper is devised specifically for drawing together substantially misaligned holes requiring some considerable mechanical advantage to draw them into alignment.It is envisaged that the pin 10 rather than being withdrawn outwards from the base (with frustum portions tapered in a direction accordingly) might be mounted with a bar and hammer system as bar 21 and hammer 23 within the base 1. Thus the pin 10 could be released within base 1 but retained and hammered back into pivotal position when the posts 2, 3 were re-fitted.

In figure 5 there is seen a typical arrangement or the resilient biassing comprising a leaf spring 28 mounted on a block 29 fixed to side rail 18. Fixed to male 8 is a follower 30. In the erect position shown the follower is free from contact of spring 28 and thus the post 2, 3 with male 8 can be lifted away from the spring 28 without any work being needed to disconnect spring 28 from male 8. If the post 2, 3 is folded down towards the base 1, then the follower 30 follows an arc denoted by dotted line 31 thereby pressing on spring 28 towards position 28' and building up the biassing forces in spring 28 which urge the posts 2, 3 towards the erect position.

In figure 6 there is seen another arrangement of biassing comprising a coil spring 32 either mounted for compressin or in this example tension. Such springs are sometimes mounted within the wall 4. It is envisaged that such springs 32 which are hooked to posts 2, 3 and base 1 might have releases mechanisms to enable the springs 32 to be released from their connection to base 1 or posts 2, 3 to enable the posts 2, 3 to be lifted away from the base 1.

Such mechanisms envisaged comprise a tie 60 being a rod or tube section passing through the hook 62 formed at the end of spring 32. The tie 60 is retained by known means within a couple of arms 61 fixed to male 8. The size of the tie 60 is determined so that it is greater than the gap 63 between body of spring 32 and hook 62 to prevent the hook from disengaging from the tie until tie 60 has been withdrawn to release male 8 from the spring for the lifting off of the post.

In figure 7A, there is seen another counterbalance spring comprising torsion bar spring 12 having a bar portion 33 (possibly itself comprising a number of leafs or bars to form one bar assembly) and a lever portion 35, the bar portion 33 being fixed at the furthest end (not seen) from the hinge 7 to the base 1 and at the other end fixed to the male 8 by screw clamps 34 seated over lever portion 35.

To release the male 8 and raise it outwards to the free position 8' in dotted line, the clamps 34 can be unscrewed.

Alternatively some other form of quick release system might be devised such as the replacement of the clamps 34 by a tube 36 shown in section of figure 7B so that the lever portion 35 might slide in and out of engagement with the tube 36. Even the tube 36 might be dispensed with since the lever portion 35 might be arranged to bear on male 8 or an extension of it so as to interact with the lever portion 35 when male 8 is folding down towards the base 1.

Once a spring 32, 33 is disconnected at one end, preferably there is a means to retain the spring end in its working location unitl it is once again connected to male 8. It is envisaged that a stop plate such as 64 in figure 4 might be used, or if some degree of movement is need for the release of the spring, then a retainer such as spring 65 might be employed to support the bar 33 in the right position. Guide plates or other constructions might form all or part of this guidance and support position to ease the connecting of the springs.

In some operations, different types of walls or posts might be needed connected to the base 1. In figure 8 there is seen a base 1 to which has been fitted bale bars 37 and a walls 4 complete with bale bar 37. These might be supplied to be interchangeable with conventional walls 4 or posts 2, 3 so that when bale bars are needed for some operations, these would be fitted, later coverting the flatrack back to the orginal wall configuration.

Returning to figure 6A and considering the safety aspect of the removable post system, should the pin 10 be released from engagement with male 8, and the posts 2, 3 not supported by crane or other means, the posts 2, 3 might fall inward or outward to or from the base 1 causing harm to personnel or cargo. Thus abutments 43 and 44 are provided to act as a couple with the locking device such as pin 20 to prevent posts 2, 3 from falling over inadvertently. As post 2, 3 starts to fall, it reacts with pin 20 and the male 8 is brought into contact with abutment 43 or 44 depending on the direction of the fall, and is thus prevented from falling further.

Abutment 43 might be tapered or conical shaped and received ina corresponding aperture 70 formed in male 8 so that during the lowering of male 8 to female 9 the male 8 is guided into the correct location to ease the fitting of pins 10 and locking devices.

However it might be desired to fold the post 2, 3 outward.

Thus if abutments 44 were omitted or made removable or retractable, then the male 8 could rotate outwards through the female 9 and the posts 2, 3 take up the ramp position shown in figure 9. The abutment 44 is envisaged that is sometimes plays another role in the collapsible flatrack in that it forms one side of a handling aperture of the folded flatrack.

If wall 4 should be lifted off the base 1 it can be placed in a ramp position similar to ramp 15 with either the inner most surface 51 or outermost surface 52 of the wall 4 facing up to form the rolling surface of the wall 4 in a ramp position. It can be seen in figure 9 that the top of floor 17 is susbtantially level with the top of female hinge 9.

Thus vehicles rolling up the ramp 15 would have little obstruction in mounting the base 1. If the tiop of the hinge female 9 was significantly higher that the surface of floor 17 then the sill 19 could be shaped to be as high as female 9 yet have an integal surface sloping down to floor 17 to ease the rolling of vehicles onto base 1.

It is envisaged that the locking pin 20 or pivot pin 10 be used to lock the male 8 to the female 9 although it could be that the pivot hole 47 of male 8 be locked thus to the locking hole 48 of female 9. Alternatively the male 8 might rest in or adjacent to female 9 retained by hook plates 49 affixed to male 8 engaged with abutment 44 or some other secure point 50 on female 9.

In figure 9, post 2 has been partly cut away to show an inner edge 54 such that wehn used as a ramp, the vehicle 14 rolling up the ramp is guided by the vertical part 53 of the post 2 and supported either on sheet 6 or inner edge 54. For wider vehicles, the projecting edges 53 of posts 2, 3 would interfer with the vehicle wheens and thus it would be more convenient to turn the posts or wall over so as to present a more continous flatter surface of sheet 6 or inner edge 54 for vehicle rolling.

It is envisaged that the hinge 7 might comprise many othe types of configuration so that male 8 might be read as that part of hinge 7 attached to the post 2, 3 and likewise female 9 that part of the higne 7 attached to the base 1.

Similarly although posts 2, 3 have featured, walls 4 are equally acceptable as a structure.

Anither type of flatrack is called a platform flat and this is essentially a platform base only as base 1 but with not posts 2, 3 or walls 4. It has at its corners handling apertures and it is envisaged that with posts 2, 3 removed, such handling apetures would be formed as an integral part of female 9. Thus the collapsible flatrack would be convertable to a platfrom flat.

Claims

1. A platform based shipping container having one or more posts, the post being pivotally connected to the base by hinges incorporating a pivot pin so that they can be folded down to the base and erected to a vertical position, once in the erect position there being means to lock the post erect, the lock and pivot pin being releasable so that the post can be removed from the erect and/or folded working position.

2. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which there is an abutment which acting as a couple with the locking device prevents the falling of the post in or outward from the base when the pivot pin is released from engagement with the hinge.

3. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the abutment acts as a guide to locate the post into a positon where in the pivot pin andlor locking pin can be engaged.

4. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which there is provided means to resiliantly biasse the posts during the folding of the posts.

5. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the connection of the resiliant biassing means comprises a release mechanism.

6. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the release mechanism comprises a removable tie passing through the hook of a spring.

7. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the release mechanism comprises a receptical arranged to receive part of a spring.

8. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the resiliant biassing is engable but not connected to one or other of the post or base.

9. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim hereins in which the means to resiliantly biasse the posts comprises a leaf spring.

10. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the means to resiliantly biasse the posts comprises a torsion bar spring.

11. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the means to resiliantly biasse the posts comprises a coil spring.

12. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the pivot pin is mounted so as to be able to slide in and out of engagement with at least part of the hinge.

13. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the locking means comprises a pin with tapered portion.

14. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the pin is engaged and disengaged using a shock hammer mounted on bar fixed to the pin.

15. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the pin includes a tapered portion.

16. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the pin includes an aperture for the connection of a tool.

17. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the aperture comprises an annular groove into which a retaining plate can engage.

18. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the aperture comprises a tapped hole to which a retaining plate can be screwed.

19. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which walls or posts can be substituted for normal walls.

20. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which when the posts are removed from the base, the floor is substantially level with the part of the hinge which is fixed to the base.

21. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which when all the posts are removed the base forms a platform flat container.

22. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the posts form a loading ramp when laid between base and other support.

23. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the posts are retained to the base when in the ramp position.

24. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the means for retaining the posts comprises a hook to link to the base.

25. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the means for retaining the posts comprises the locking pin engaged with one or other of the pivot hole or locking aperture in the post hinge.

26. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim herein in which the posts arrive at the ramp positon by virtue of articulation about the locking pin acting as a pivot.

27. A platform based shipping container as in any as in any claim herein herein in which there is provided an independant ramp stowed within a recess in the base.

28. A platform based shipping container as in as in any claim hereins in which two or more posts are connected to each other by structure to form wall.