GB2329630A - Side-loading multi-deck container - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-deck container 10 comprises a plurality of mutually overlying decks defined by modules 11, 12 each supported at one side by frame sections. Access to the modules 11,12 is from the side, and is through opposite sides in successive layers of modules 11,12. Each deck may comprise a series of modules.

Description

Side-Loading Multi-Deck Cargo Container This invention relates to cargo or freight containers, for transport and shipping, and to container construction and loading configuration.

Whilst containers are generally standardised - in overall profile shape, size and tare or loading weight capacity - there remains scope within the load space or envelope for adaptable load access and storage configurations.

Broadly, objectives may include high packing density, and diverse load carrying capacity.

In container construction, a balance must be struck between rigidity, load-bearing strength, robustness in withstanding handling (and abuse) and 'passive' non revenue-earning weight or volume - consistent with ease of (load) access for loading and unloading.

Redundant 'voids' around loads are wasteful of load volumetric capacity.

Flexibility in re-configuring the load space, to adapt to individual cargoes and minimise such voids, is also desirable, without undue structural complexity.

Some aspects of the present invention are concerned with multi-level or layer containerised cargo storage.

In my earlier UK patent applications nos 9618703.4 and 9707250.8, now pursued as PCT International Application No. PCT/GB97/02319,1 have proposed a multi-deck container configuration adaptable for general cargo or bespoke vehicle carriage.

The present invention addresses integrated side loading and multi-layer or multi-deck configuration.

According to one aspect of the invention a container comprises a plurality of mutually overlying load platforms or decks, supported by open-sided box frame sections, stacked end-on in longitudinal alignment, allowing (load) access from one side, at each of a plurality of different deck layers, with the side access being reversed for successive layers.

Although two such (overlying) layers represent a preferred comprise between additional load space and constructional complexity and ease of access, in principle other multi-platform configurations are feasible.

Thus, for example, in a more bespoke arrangement, suitable for, say, shallow expansive load elements which must be kept separate, to avoid crushing, a tower array of platforms or racking may be provided, with transverse or horizontal platform frames separated by, and supported cantilever fashion from, intervening upright or vertical support frames.

An overall roof (cover) element, spanning overlying platforms can be fitted - for example, supported cantilever-fashion from an upper frame section.

The roof itself may be a load-bearing platform or deck, with vehicle guide tracks - for, say, three (overlying) lines or stacked rows.

With a load-bearing roof, the supplementary (intermediate) deck position may be re-adjusted.

Complementing the vehicle protection afforded by an optional roof, side curtains may be fitted.

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a transverse section or end-on view of a stacked open-sided container box frame sections supporting two overlying load platforms with differential side access; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an end-on stack or succession of longitudinally-aligned box frame sections of Figure 1 to fill a (standard) container footprint; Figure 3 shows a reversed alternating sequential end-on stacking sequence for the open-sided box frame sections of Figure 1, as a stiffer alternative to the symmetrically aligned sequence of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a diversity of space-frame and selective in-fill configurations for the multi (twin) deck container modules of Figures 1 through 3; Figures 5A through 5E show successive stages in collapse of a collapsible variant of the open-sided stacked box section container frame modules of Figure 1; thus more specifically: Figure 5A shows a fully-erected container stacking module box frame; Figure 5B shows the box frame of Figure 4A partcollapsed by folding an upper load plafform about its supporting side wall; Figure 5C shows the part-collapsed box frame of Figure 5B with an upper load plafform side wall folded over upon the upper load plafform floor; Figure 5D shows the folded box frame of Figure 5C further collapsed by lowering the tilted and folded upper load plafform down the support wall to lie upon the lower load plafform floor; Figure 5E shows the folded box frame of Figure 5D finally collapsed by folding over the residual upper plafform support wall over the stacked upper platform floor, upper plafform side wall and lower plafform floor; Figure 6 shows a re-inforced or braced variant of the box frame module shown in Figure 1, with an optional removable support strut or leg; Figure 7 shows an end-on sequence of aligned symmetrical re-inforced box frames of Figure 6; Figure 8 show an alternating reversed end-on sequence of re-inforced box frames of Figures 1 and 3, as a stiffer alternative to the sequence of Figure 6; Figure 9 shows a diversity of box-frame and selective in-fill for the endsn module stack of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows an I-section container frame for twin opposed side loading; Figure 11 shows a symmetrical, aligned, end-on stacking sequence for the I-section frame of Figure 10, with optional curtain side walling; Figure 12 shows a variant of the I-section frame of Figure 10, with periodic intervening transverse divider wall sections, for stiffening; Figure 13 shows a diversity of box frame and selective in-fill for the stacked modules of Figures 1, 6 and 10; Figures 14 through 17 show a diversity of container module stacking configurations for the various module section profiles of Figure 10; thus in particular: Figure 14 shows a vertical stack of 'i'-sections of Figure 10; Figure 15 shows a vertical stack of unbraced and braced sections of Figures 1 and 6; Figure 16 shows an end-on stack of mixed sections of Figures 1, 6 and 10; Figure 17 shows combination vertical and sideways on stacking of sections of Figures 1 and 6; Figures 18A through 18D show progressive stages of erection and loading of a collapsible container variant with folding side walls or struts; thus more specifically: Figure 1 8A shows an erect structure, with opposed side legs or walls located upright in a base plafform, surmounted by braced shallow guide trays for vehicle wheels, as shown loaded in Figure 18D; Figure 18B shows one of the side legs or walls of Figure 18A folded over upon the base plafform; Figure 18C shows the opposite side leg or wall of Figure 18B folded over upon the base plafform; Figure 18D shows the erected container of Figure 18A, loaded with (road) vehicles, whose wheels run in the guide trays surmounting the side legs or walls; Figures 19A through 19D show a variant of the collapsible side wall container module of Figures 18A through 18D, with a general equivalence of views and parts, but with side walls of depth representing some one half the deck span or less, to allow inward folding into abutment and a mixed vehicle and general cargo loading; thus in particular: Figure 1 9A shows one side wall folded so that its end lies at or just short of a base deck mid-span position; Figure 19B shows the opposite side wall folded so that its end abuts or falls just short of the end of the other folded side wall; Figure 19C shows the folded side walls in end-toend abutment; Figure 1 9D shows the fully erected structure with a vehicle load upon upper deck trays and a general cargo load on the base deck.

Referring to the drawings, a multi-deck container module 11 comprises a 'dog-leg', 'b' or 'd'- profile box frame section 20, with spaced load platforms 12 and 14, separated by an upright wall or legs 15.

The upper plafform 14 has an upright side wall or legs 16, on the opposite side from the support wall 15.

The platforms 12 and 14 can be accessed from opposite sides, for individual (self-contained) cargo loads 22 and 24, respectively.

Thus the platforms 12 and 14 can be loaded and unloaded independently.

Cargo loading and unloading can readily be undertaken by, say, proprietary fork lift trucks commonly available at freight stations, of appropriate lift and reach.

Modules 11 can be stacked end-on, in a longitudinally-aligned linear array 10, to occupy collectively a standard container footprint, as shown in Figure 2.

The modules 11 can be detachably secured, by, say, releasable pin couplings (not shown) - or permanently integrated, by, say, by welding together their respective box frames.

In constructional detail, the modules 11 can be fabricated as a hollow space-frame of structural elements joined at their ends - or as stiffened (by, say, corrugations) panels, or some combination of frame and panel elements, as shown in Figure 4.

Thus, in a given module 11, a mixture of frame and in-fill panels may be employed.

In that regard, the platforms 12, 14 themselves need not be continuous - but could rather be an open lattice, with localised in-fill.

Vertical stacking of modules, one upon another, would require temporary deployment of a (collapsible) supplementary upright support from the upper deck, on the opposite side to the existing side wall or frame.

The upper plafform 14 surmounting base wall 15 is effectively cantilevered therefrom - making the corner joint (particularly if collapsible as described later in relation to Figures 5A through 5E) of some criticality, particularly when the container is loaded.

The end-on stacking sequence of abutting modules 11 in a container span may be varied, for example as shown in Figure 3, to alternately reverse the module 11 'orientation', so that an open side section is followed by a closed side section - thus stiffening the overall structure as a unitary whole or entity.

Figures 5A through 5C show the selective deployment of corner joints 31, 32, 33 for controlled collapse of a module 11 - and indeed an entire container span, by phased sequential collapse of multiple successive modules, either incrementally, or together, by linkage of corresponding elements.

In Figure 5A the joints 31, 32, 33 are locked from collapse - preserving the overall structural integrity and rectangularity in section.

Figures 5B and 5C show progressive stages in collapse of an upper plafform 14 and attendant side wall 16, with the plafform 14 initially pivoted about side wall 15 of the base plafform 12.

This is achieved by releasing the (pivot) joint 32 at the juncture of the upper platform 14 and the upper end of the side wall 15 - whereupon the side wall 16 can be folded over the inclined upper platform 14, by releasing the pivot joint 33.

In fact the collapse sequence could be varied - to, say, first collapse the upper side wall 15 upon the upper plafform 14, before it is lowered.

Figures 5D and 5E show final progressive stages in collapse of the module 11, in which the tilted upper plafform 14 is lowered over the base plafform 12, carrying with it the folded upper side wall 16 - by releasing the joint 32 and sliding it down the residual upright base side wall 15, as shown in Figure 5D.

Figure 5E shows final folding of the side wall 15 over the collapsed side wall 16, and platforms 14 and 12, into a compact unitary stack.

Figure 6 shows the deployment of bracing legs or struts 18 around a lower side access opening 28 for the base plafform 12, to supplement the cantilever support of the upper plafform 14 from the base side wall 15.

Figure 7 shows successive end-on module stacking, otherwise corresponding to that of Figure 2, for the braced modules of Figure 5.

Figure 8 shows an alternating reversed end-on stacking sequence, otherwise corresponding to that of Figure 3, for the braced modules of Figure 5.

Figure 9 shows various alternative space-frame, open-lattice and flat panel or stiffened corrugation infill for the end-on stack sequence of Figure 8 - to demonstrate that modules may be tailored to particular loads, of to allow a collective flexibility in loading.

Figure 10 shows an alternative 'I'-section container module, in which an upper plafform or roof 44, is supported by a central divider wall 45 upon a base plafform 42.

The 'I'-section may be fabricated as a space frame, with selective in-fill panels, and/or by stiffened (say, corrugated) thin-wall panelling, in a box-girder assembly.

This sectional configuration, allows side-loading, from opposite sides - with separation of the loads on each side of the base plafform 42.

As shown in Figure 11, multiple 'l'-section modules 41 may be stacked end-on, in aligned linear succession 40, to occupy a standard container footprint - and may be detachably or permanently secured for overall structural integrity.

Divider walls 48 may be fitted between modules 41, for stiffening an end-on stacking sequence, as shown in Figure 12, and to separate load bays or cells 50 of each module 41.

For load security and protection, side-screen, curtain-walling 43 may be fitted, suspended between roof and floor platforms 44, 42, as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows a diversity of space-frame and selective panel in-fill for load carriage flexibility.

Such an 'I'-section also lends itself to stable vertical stacking, one module upon another, where space allows - as shown in Figure 14.

Figures 15 and 17 show 'b'-section modules of Figures 1 through 9 in a variant vertical and horizontal stacking configurations, with fastened abutment of corresponding side faces, to integrate and re-inforce the assembly.

Such abutting opposed module pairs can themselves be stacked end-on in an aligned sequence, in a corresponding fashion to that shown for individual modules in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 8.

Figure 16 shows a variant end-on stacking sequence, combining 'b'-section un-braced and braced modules of Figures 1 and 6, together with 'I'section modules of Figure 10, in a co-operative array.

Thus, the roof of an intervening 'I'-section ties together, and so helps stiffen, the upper side walls of altemating 'b'-sections.

Similarly, the central 'I'-section wall braces the spaced platforms of the 'b'-sections which it adjoins on opposite sides.

Component List 1 0 (end-on) stacked array 11 module 12 base plafform 14 upper plafform 1 5 (base) side wall 1 6 (upper) side wall 1 8 bracing (side) element 22 (base) load 24 (upper) load 28 (side) access 31 joint (base platform - base side wall) 32 joint (base side wall - upper plafform) 33 joint (upper plafform - upper side wall) 40 (container footprint) stacked array 42 base plafform 43 side-screen/curtain-walling 44 upper plafform 45 central support wall 48 divider wall 50 load bay/cell

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1.

   A multi-deck container (10) comprising a plurality of mutually overlying load platforms or decks, supported at one side by intervening frame sections, allowing (load) access from one side, at each of a plurality of different deck layers, with the side access being reversed for successive layers.
2. 2.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a succession of deck modules, each module including multiple decks, spaced by deck supports.
3. 3.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, comprising multiple individual deck modules, disposed in a linear array.
4. 4.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising multiple individual deck modules, stacked one upon another.
5. 5.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including decks of diverse infill, and/or open-sided or filled-panel intervening deck supports.
6. 6.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of mutually-aligned deck modules have a common deck alignment plane, forming a continuous deck ievel selectively filled-panei or open-framed.
7. 7.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including collapsible deck modules, in which the decks and intervening deck supports, may be folded over one upon another, and/or inter-nested, in a compact stack.
8. 8.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a deck module of 'T'-section, defining multiple discrete load bays, on opposite sides of an upright divider wall, supporting stacked decks or deck levels.
9. 9.

   A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which multiple deck modules, of individual 'T'-section, are stacked in end-on alignment, with respective deck divider walls, either aligned, longitudinally or laterally offset, and/or mutually orthogonal.
10. 10.

    A multi-deck container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a base deck, and side supports, on opposite sides of the base deck, to support respective marginal deck portions, for alignment at a corresponding other deck level, such as to fit the wheel tracks of a multiple vehicle cargo.
11. 11.

    A multi-deck container, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.