GB2334943A

GB2334943A - Glass carrying frame

Info

Publication number: GB2334943A
Application number: GB9904727A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Bryan Hodgkinson
Original assignee: HILLBORN ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: HILLBORN ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 1998-03-03
Filing date: 1999-03-02
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Also published as: GB9804459D0; GB2334942A; GB9904727D0

Abstract

A glass carrying frame 1 has a base 2, upstanding A frames 3 along part of the base which can be partially collapsed or disassembled after use so that one such frame can be stacked on another such frame without being of greater size than the base width e.g. as shown in Fig 7 to maximise the number of frames that can be transported back to the glass factory on one vehicle. Preferably, the upper part of each A frame is hinged or pivoted to allow partial collapse when not in use for storing or transporting glass. Disassembled parts can be stored in the remaining part of the A frame as also shown in Fig 7. Other ways of stacking two or more frames are disclosed with respect to Fig 8 and a device comprising two outer support parts (14, Figs 9-14) pivotally linked by a central member (15) may be provided for juxtaposing two such collapsed/disassembled support frames.

Description

IMPROVED STILLAGE OR CARRYING FRAME FOR STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF SHEETS OF GLASS The present invention relates to an improved carrying frame or "stillage" as it is also known in the art, for the storage and transport of numbers of sheets of glass which can be of considerable weight and have to be securely supported.

It is known for storage and transport "stillages or carrying frames for the storage and transport of glass to be provided which comprise a base member which is engageable by a specially constructed handling vehicle or transport vehicle and from which base member there extend a plurality of spaced apart generally "A"-shaped sub-frames and said A-frames may be generally centrally disposed on the base member so that both inclined limbs of the "A" may support glass sheets thereon and such frame is known as an A-frame stillagefl Where the plurality of A-sub-frames are disposed to one side of the base member providing a large supporting region of the base member for sheets of glass on one side only of the A-sub-frames which also receive the sheets of glass on one side thereof, such arrangement is known as an "L-frame stillage". A specially constructed vehicle having a covered part with parallel sides with spaced stillage engaging members and an open bottom is required to transport such stillages one at a time, with glass thereon to a customer who will then either empty the stillage on arrival or retain the stillage until the glass has been used and the stillages are empty and require return. These known transport and storage stillages or carrying frames have the disadvantage that when a load of glass is delivered on the stillage to a customer, the specially constructed vehicle which returns the frame to the supplier can, hitherto only carry a single empty stillage on its return journey which such is very costly from a transportation point of view.

As a consequence, there is a tendency for empty stillages to remain uncollected-especially when such are not on a regular delivery run and thus is a considerable unnecessary financial outlay.

In GB 2202820 a non-collapsible L-frame stillage or carrying frame is illustrated which is of the type which would require a transportation vehicle to return to its collection point with a single such empty stillage for future use.

In EP 0423503 there is disclosed a glass transporting carrying frame or rack with a lattice truss structure (1) extending along its entire length with said structure supporting a row of rigid, non-collapsible and non-dismantleable A-shaped trestles (9) arranged in parallel to one another with the flanks of each A-shaped trestle forming two supporting surfaces for glass sheets.

There are base rails (5) which runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rack and also forming supports for glass sheets. This rack is collapsible in that each A-shaped trestle (A) is installed as a single pivoted unit with its lower leg portions straddling or outside of the lattice truss structure (1) and pivotable on a swivel axle (A) extending at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the rack and parallel to the base rails and the trestles are elevatable about the pivot into an erected state for storage and transport of glass but pivotable into a lowered storage and transport position of the rack. (In Fig. 3 the indicated inward opposite direction collapsing of the opposite half numbers of a trestle 9 would appear inoperative as the two halves would collide). This rack would appear to have the disadvantage in its collapsed condition of not presenting a configuration which is readily storable/transportable and generally would need to be returned individually on a wagon with any additional space provided above the rack by the collapsing being difficult to load with other cargo to obtain additional revenue in view of the configuration.

Also, the structure will be very heavy and the legs and absence of side channels will preclude use with same specially constructed transportation vehicles.

According to the present invention a storage and transport carrying frame for sheets of glass and preferably an "L-frame stillage", comprises a structure which may be collapsed/disassembled into a transport position of the frame and one which is of a size and/or shape as to be capable of being assembled or nested or interfitted with a similar or identical collapsed/disassembled carrying frame also in transport arrangements to occupy reduced or minimum space and preferably one which in such disposition enables stable the disposition of at least a pair of similar interfitted frames therabove and preferably with the narrower dimension being the horizontal width of the two frames.

This collapsed arrangement is especially achievable with an "L-frame stillage" or L-shaped carrying frame wherein the upwardly extending glass supporting frames may be collapsed or disassembled so as to leave each carrying frame with a partly collapsed structure along one part of the base member which may be cooperatively juxtaposed with a similar collapsed frame reoriented through 1800 with the non-collapsed frame parts (will preferably any collapsed frame parts therein), abutting the base member of the juxtaposed carrying frame. This arrangement also allows for the part of the frame which is not collapsed, to carry the strength members responsible for the highloads incurred during braking of the vehicle, thus improving their performance.

According to one broad aspect of the present invention a carrying frame or "L-frame stillage" carrying frame for glass sheets comprises a base member preferably with opposite side flanges or channels for engagement by support members of a special transportation vehicle and along which base member are disposed a row of generally A-shaped trestles or sub-frames along one part of the base member leaving the remaining part of the base member free for supporting glass sheets, characterised by the feature that each A-shaped sub-frame is hinged or pivotably interconnected intermediate its upper and lower ends and the sub-frames are disposable in a partially collapsed condition such that when viewed end-on, the noncollapsed part of the A-shaped sub-frames (forming trestles) together with the part of the base member on which they rest generally form a trapezium, or such that the remaining structure on the base member may be reorientated through 1800 and rest on the free part of a similar/identical "L-frame stillage" carrying frame and preferably without any sub-frame components extending outwardly of the base members and stably when one is inverted over the other. Suitable interconnection means for two L-frame stillages are preferably provided for transportation.

It will be appreciated that a similarly collapsed stillage or carrying frame may be inverted such that the free end of the inverted trapezium parts rests on the free part of the lower base member and the upper base member rests on the top of the parallel trapezium parts of the A-shaped or sub-frame trestles. Thus in such condition, a further pair of similarly disposed or vertically disposed pair of collapsed carrying frames or stillages may be supported therabove and held in position.

Connecting means will preferably be provided to hold a pair of carrying frames together. Also, any removed horizontal spars or diagonal cross-bracing struts may be stored in the spaces in the remaining upstanding parts of the collapsed A-sub-frames and held in position by suitable retaining means.

Also according to a very broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a glass carrying frame or stillage comprising a base member and a row of A-shaped trestles or sub-frames with the upwardly extending legs of the sub-frames being hingedly or pivotably joined at a region spaced from the base member and pivotably collapsible so as to overlay one another.

It will be appreciated that a lattice truss structure is preferably provided on the base member and with the uprights thereof formed by the fixed lower parts of the A-shaped sub-frames or trestles and said lower parts are of different heights and such as to enable compact and level folding-over of the upper parts of the A-frame. For example, the height of the uprights may reduce inwardly from the outermost towards the centre of the base or visa versa. In other words, the lowermost pivot points of the A-frames are disposed at a level so as to permit the remainder of the sub-frame parts to be pivotally collapsed into frame storage locations without collision or interference with other collapsed frame parts, even if overlapping therewith, and preferably to enable a generally parallel disposition of the collapsed/folded parts.

The A-sub-frame or A-trestles when erect provide support for the glass and also are preferably interconnected by removable horizontal bracing members which give both rigidity to the structure and additional support for the glass in transport. All cf these faces line up to provide a flat plane surface.

The pivoted joints of the A-sub-frames and/or the horizontal bracing members will preferably have quickacting securing means to secure the sub frames in the erect positions and preferably such securing means will be captive. Additional locks preferably supply structural reinfcrcement to the joints.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a stillage or carrying frame for supporting glass sheets comprising a base member along which are disposed a row of generally A-shaped sub-frames parallely disposed with each A-shaped sub-frame comprising at least two upwardly extending frame members with each member having a base part fixed to the base member and at least one upper part pivotally connected therewith (or dismantleably connected therewith) and pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the direction of extension of the row, and wherein the height of base parts of the sub-frames diminishes or increases towards the centre of the row to enable pivotal collapsing of the upper part or parts of the A sub-frames.

Preferably the opposite and outermost two pairs of base parts will be the tallest base parts and of different height preferably one of lesser height than the other by the thickness of an A-sub-frame or thereabouts, and then the next inward two pairs of base parts will be of lesser heights with, for example, one being of lesser height than the outermost adjacent by the thickness of the upper subframe parts which may overlay such in the collapsed condition and the other of the pair lower by a substantially equal amount and so as with the inner adjacent pair being the shortest base parts and which may be of equal height and of a height lower than the adjacent outer pair by an amount preferably to enable doubly folded upper sub-frame parts to underlie folded sub-frame parts thereover. Preferably, however, the sub-frame parts will be such as to present a generally horizontal upper surface in the collapsed condition.

As mentioned, the pivots will have securing means to maintain the sub-frames in the erect position and such will preferably includes quick acting securing means such as single spring catches. These catches are also arranged to provide additional structural strength to the joints.

At opposite ends of the row of sub-frames, the fixed base parts of the sub-frames will have secured thereto or securable thereto, retaining frame members which extend across the ends of the glass sheets to prevent forward or rearward movement of the sheets in transit.

These members are fixed to the non collapsing part of the structure to provide improved strength.

Also according to the invention there is provided a device for juxtaposing stillages or carrying frames comprising two support means each for supporting and detachably connectable to the base of a glass carrying frame; a spacing member pivotally connected along opposite sides to adjacent sides of said support means; and means for reversibly displacing at least said two support means from a horizontal to an upright position and/or at least one support means through 10 relative to the spacing member and for displacing said spacing member through 900 relative to the other support means.

Thus, also according to the present invention, a method of assembling two glass carrying stillages or frames comprises juxtaposing two identical collapsed carrying frames according to the invention in identical orientation and at a spaced relationship substantially equivalent to the height of any remaining sub-frames extending above the bases of the frames, and pivoting the support means for the frames towards each other through 900 or thereabouts or pivoting one frame first through 900 to be on top of tbe other frame, or a combination of such displacements, and securing the frames together.

Also according to the present invention, a transportable arrangement of glass carrying stillages or frames comprises at least two said frames each having a base and upwardly extending sub-frames which have been partly reduced in height, such as by disassembly and/or collapsing, and one frame re-oriented relative to the other frame with the reduced height sub-frame parts being juxtaposed side by side and in abutment with the base of the adjacent carrying frame.

Preferably the arrangement comprises two pairs of carrying frames with one pair being disposed with the bases lying in horizontal or substantially horizontal planes and the other pair resting on top of the first pair with their bases extending upwardly and preferably in vertical or substantially vertical planea. Preferably each pair of carrying frames are detachably interconnected.

It is to be appreciated that the weight of the carrying frame and the glass sheets supported thereon is considerable and runs into many tons weight.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation from the direction of arrow A of Fig. 2 of an "L-frame" stillage or carrying frame according to the invention in its erected condition for storing glass sheets (not shown); Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic end elevation of the carrying frame of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the stillage of Figs. 1 and 2 in its collapsed condition ready for return transportation; Fig. 3A is a view similar to Fig. 3 but of a modification wherein the two uppermost frame parts lie in the same plane by virtue of a greater height of the right hand lower part 5F' and a support bar 6G; Fig. 3B is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the joint lines; Fig. 3C is a section on the line X-X of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary deviation of detail of the end of one of the diagonal bracing members shown in broken line in Fig. 1 looked over a cross strut of the A subframe; Fig. 5 is a view of the detail of Fig.4?; Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the collapsed carrying frame viewed from the opposite end to Fig. 2 and showing the bracing structures stored in the spaces of the remaining bottom sub-frame parts; Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of one possibility of a stack of six collapsed stillages or carrying frames as may be returned; Fig. 8 is a preferred similar stacking arrangement of four identical carrying frames or stillages; and Figs. 9 to 14 schematically illustrate the assembly stages involved in arriving at the stacked arrangement of Fig. 8.

An "L-frame" stillage or carrying frame 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 and a plurality of such in various collapsed conditions and arrangements are illustrated in Fig. 7 to 14. Each stillage or carrying frame 1 comprises a base member 2 with sub-frames 3 thereon and each base member 2 is dimensioned and, shaped and has lateral flanges or channels or like receiving means of known kind so as to be engageable by engaging members of a handling/lifting vehicle or device in known manner and the base will be of a length and width to fit in existing stillage-transportation vehicles.

Such road going transportation vehicles, such as used by Pilkingtons Plc, and others have a covered stillage carrying section having an open bottom and lateral elongate parallel engaging members for engaging in channels 2' in opposite sides of the base member 2 to support such during transportation. The vehicle reverses to encompass an elevated stillage and engage therewith and then, after securement of the stillage, may be driven away. In upper regions of the vehicle and on each side of the stillage, hydraulically displaceable pads or pressure members are mounted and are displaceable to press against the glass and the stillage to hold such in position. As a consequence, the space in the upper region of the vehicle is restricted by the pads and hydraulic apparatus. It is to be appreciated that the width of the bases 2 is predetermined and fixed because of the spacing construction of the special vehicle.

A plurality (six shown) of generally "A"-shaped trestles or sub-frames 3A-3F of box section are disposed spaced along the base member 2 and towards one longitudinal edge so as to create a general "L"-shape or reverse thereof when viewed from the opposite end - hence the name "L-frame". The arrangement leaves the top surface 2" free for the lower edges of sheets of glass (not shown) to rest on (via the intermediary of known cushioning and securing means also not shown) and so that the sheets of glass may rest inclinedly on the one adjacent sloping surface 3" of each trestle (known securing and cushioning means being provided but not shown).

Each of the two upwardly extending main members 4 of each sub-frame 3A-3F is formed in at least two parts (SA-5F; 6A-6F, 7C, 7D) which are pivotally interconnected/hinged with the immediately upper part pivotal about a horizontal axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base member 2. Each of lower frame parts 5A-SF is securedly and non-pivotally fixed at its lower end to the base member 2 and forms a lattice truss structure or plurality of upwardly extending fixed, frame base parts but not with a constant height (unlike structure 1 in EP 0423503) . Each of the lower parts 5A-5F has an upper part 6A-6F pivotally or hingedly connected thereto preferably at one edge so as to be pivotal to one side only and in the directions/manner apparent from Figs.

3 and 3A.

The two central sub-frames 3C and 3D are formed with main members 4 each divided into three frame base parts 5C, 6C and 7C and 5D, 6D and 7D with parts 6C and 6D pivotally connected to parts 5C or 5D and parts 7C or 7D pivotally or hingedly connected to parts 6C and 6D so as to be pivotal to be thereover. The height of parts 5A-5F is selected such that the upper surface of folded parts 7C and 7D be in the same horizontal plane and beneath the folded parts 6B and 6D of the four outer frames 3A,3B,3C,3F. The parts 5B and 5E of the two frames 3B and 3E inward of the outermost frames 3A,3F are of unequal length but both longer than the parts 5C,5D of the inner frames 3C and 3D but shorter than the lower parts 5A,5F of the outermost frames 3A,3F so that one part 6B may overlie the other part 6E and be generally horizontal. The fixed part SF of the right-hand frame 3F in Fig. 3 is the same height as that of the part 5B so that part 6F thereof lies in the same plane as 6B. The left-hand frame 3A in Fig. 3 has the highest fixed part 5A so that pivotable part 6A thereof may rest on part 6B on a generally horizontal plane.

At opposite ends of the carrying frame, retaining frame parts 8 are provided to which glass sheet retaining bars (not shown) may be secured. An additional bracing strut 9 is provided in such region.

Fig. 3A illustrates a preferred modification of the arrangement of Fig. 3 where the frame parts are such that the two uppermost parts lie in the same plane because of the increased height of part SF' and support bar 6G. The hinged parts will be such or have support parts welded thereto so that the parts are all supported in the collapsed condition.

Each sub-frame 3 has cross ties and braces and the pivots/hinges will be positioned relative thereto to enable appropriate hinging. In Fig 3B the joint lines are illustrated as 3''' and preferably the hinge is provided as an external hinge on one side of each of the main members 4 which have flat abutting end plates on either side and a reinforced pin extending from one part from a side opposite the hinge releasably engaging in a spring catch on the other part.

When assembled as shown in Fig. 1 with the slh- frames 3 displaced to be erect, horizontal retaining bars 10 are secured to the A-sub-frames 3A-3F to maintain the sub-frames 3 in position and to provide rigidity for the heavy load of glass to be received. Quick-acting latches (not shown) may be provided to hold the sub-frames 3 in the erect position. Also there are inclined cross braces 11 also secured to provide increased rigidity. As the fragmentary detail of Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate, the end of one such brace 11 is hooked over a horizontal tie 3' of an A-sub-frame 3A-3F. The lower ends of braces 11 will be secured by suitable quick acting securing means (not shown).

The faces of the A-sub-frames and of the horizontal members lie in the same plane so as to provide a surface against which the glass sheets may rest.

As mentioned the pivots/hinges will preferably have means for securing such against undesired pivoting.

Fig. 6 illustrates an end elevation of a folded/collapsed stillage 1 with the horizontal bars 10 and braces 11 etc., located and secured in the region of the bottom framework created by the fixed frame parts SA - 5F.

Fig. 7 illustrates an assembly of six collapsed stillages arranged in pairs with one inverted and resting relative to the other. However, such arrangement would require removal of the mentioned pads of the specially constructed carrying vehicle in view of the width of the abase members disposed horizontally in the upper region.

Fig. 8 illustrates a preferred assembly of four collapsed stillages wherein the upper pair of stillages with upwardly disposed bases 2 will fit between the pads of the specially constructed vehicles and without such pads having to be removed.

Figs. 9-14 illustrate a method of assembly to arrive at such arrangement. A stillage assembly device 12 is schematically illustrated comprising two outer, stillage-receiving and supporting outer base parts 13 and 14 of rectangular shape corresponding to the outline of bases 2 and a rectangular central part 15 hingedly connected along opposite sides to base parts 13,14.

Securing means (not shown) are provided to secure stillages 1 to base parts 13, 14 and also means (not shown) to interconnect two juxtaposed stillages 1 and hold such together. Furthermore, displacing means (not shown) such as hydraulic means, which may be hand pumped or electrically pumped, for example, are provided to displace parts 13 and 14 from and to the horizontal to achieve the dispositions of Figs. 9 to 13 and others 11.

In Figs. 9 to 11, two stillages are disposed side by side with the bases extending vertically and the stillages are then interconnected and the bases 2 disconnected to enable parts 13, 14 to be lowered whereupon the stillages can be lifted from part 15 by a fork lift truck or other means. In Fig. 3 both parts 15 and 14 have been pivoted to invert one stillage over the other in interfitting juxtaposition whereupon the two are interconnected and parts 14 and 15 displaced away. The two stillages can then be lifted off as shown in Figs. 14 and the arrangement of Fig. 12 placed thereabove so that four stillages can be transported in the special vehicle without having to remove the parts thereof.

The carrying frame has certain dimensional relationships/ratios which are important to the operation and firstly it might be said that collapsibility and stackability requirements particularly need to be considered where the erect height (b) of the A-sub-frames and base is greater than the width (a) of the base.

Furthermore, dimensioning and arrangement to enable the 1800 reorientation and juxtaposition need to be such that the overall width (w) of pairs of oriented, juxtaposed carrying frames is not greater and thus is the same or less than the width (a) of the base member (2) of the frames.

The distance (d) between the outwardly facing outermost surfaces of the base members 2 of a pair of juxtaposed frames is preferably equal to the height (c) of a carrying frame when collapsed plus the height (h) of the base member 2. When reference is made to the height (b) of an erect carrying frame it should also be taken into account that such may also include the height of any glass which may project slightly thereabove which might be in the order of 4" or so. Also the paired base members distance (d), such as for the Fig. 8 arrangement, should be equal to and preferably less than the width (a/w) of the base member.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A carrying frame or "L-frame stillage" carrying frame for glass sheets comprises a base member having a length and width and height and along the length of which base member are disposed a row of generally A-shaped upwardly extending trestles or sub-frames over one upper part of the width of the base member leaving the remaining upper part of the width of the base member free for supporting glass sheets, characterised by the feature that the base member and sub-frames are arranged and/or dimensioned such that, and each A-shaped sub-frame is hinged or pivotably interconnected intermediate its upper and lower ends and the sub-frames are disposable in a partially collapsed condition such that, the remaining collapsed structure and the base member may be reoriented through 1800 and rest on the remaining free part of a similar/identical partially collapsed "L-frame stillage" carrying frame with the resultant possible combination of carrying frames not being of greater overall width (w) than the width (a) of a said base member.
2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, in which the base member has opposite side flanges or channels for engagement by support members of a special transportation vehicle.
3. A frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the sub-frames are such that when viewed end-on, the noncollapsed part of the A-shaped sub-frames (forming trestles) together with the part of the base member on which they are supported generally form a trapezium.
4. A frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which for a pair of juxtaposed carrying frames the distance (d) between the outwardly facing outermost surfaces of the base members is equal to the height (c) of the carrying frame with collapsed sub-frames plus the height (h) of the base member.
5. A frame as claimed in claim 4, in which the height (c) of a collapsed carrying frame is one third or substantially one-third of the height (b) of an erect frame.
6. A frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the remaining structure rests on said free part without any sub-frame components extending outwardly of the base members.
7. A frame as claimed in claim 3 and any of claims 4 to 6 when dependent on claim 3, such that a similarly collapsed stillage or carrying frame may be inverted such that the free end of the inverted trapezium parts rests on the free part of the lower base member and the upper base member rests on the top of the parallel trapezium parts of the A-shaped or sub-frame trestles.
8. A frame as claimed in claim 7 in which, in said condition, a further pair of similarly disposed or vertically disposed pair of collapsed carrying frames or stillages may be stabley supported thereabove and held in position.
9. A frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which each A-shaped sub-frame comprises at least two upwardly extending frame members with each member having a base part fixed to the base member and at least one upper part pivotally connected therewith (or dismantleably connected therewith) and pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the direction of extension of the row, and wherein the height of base parts of the sub-frames diminishes or increases towards the centre of the row to enable pivotal collapsing of the upper part or parts of the A-sub-frames.
10. A frame as claimed in claim 9, in which the opposite and outermost two pairs of base parts are the tallest base parts and of different height, preferably one of lesser height than the other being by the thickness of an A-sub-frame or thereabouts, and then the next inward two pairs of base parts are of lesser heights with, for example, one being of lesser height than the outermost adjacent by the thickness of the upper sub-frame parts which may overlay such in the collapsed condition and the other of the pair lower by a substantially equal amount and so as with the inner adjacent pair being the shorter baste parts and which may be of equal height and of a height lower than the adjacent outer pair by an amount preferably to enable doubly folded upper sub-frame parts to underlie folded sub-frame parts thereover.
11. A frame as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the sub-frame parts are such as to present a generally horizontal upper surface in the collapsed condition.
12. A frame as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, in which the pivots have securing means to maintain the subframes in the erect position and the securing means are also arranged and/or such as to provide additional structural strength to the joints.
13. A frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which at opposite ends of the row of sub-frames, the fixed base parts of the sub-frames have secured thereto or securable thereto, retaining frame members which extend across the ends of the glass sheets to prevent forward or rearward movement of the sheets in transit and said members are fixed to the non collapsing part of the structure to provide improved strength.
14. A device for juxtaposing stillages or carrying frames comprising two support means each for supporting and detachably connectable to the base of a glass carrying frame; a spacing member pivotally connected along opposite sides to adjacent sides of said support means; and means for reversibly displacing at least said two support means from a horizontal to an upright position and/or at least one support means through 100 relative to the spacing member and for displacing said spacing member through 90 relative to the other support means.
15. A method of assembling two glass carrying stillages or frames comprises juxtaposing two identical collapsed carrying frames according to the invention in identical orientation and at a spaced relationship substantially equivalent to the height of any remaining sub-frames extending above the base of the frames, and pivoting the support means for the frames towards each other through 900 or thereabouts or pivoting one frame first through 900 to be on top of the other frame or a combination of such displacements, and securing the frames together.
16. A transportable arrangement of glass carrying stillages or frames comprises at least two said frames each having a base and upwardly extending sub-frames which have been partly reduced in height, such as by disassembly and/or collapsing, and one frame re-oriented relative to the other frame with the reduced height sub-frame parts being juxtaposed side by side and in abutment with the base of the adjacent carrying frame.
17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, which comprises two pairs of carrying frames with one pair being disposed with the bases lying in horizontal or substantially horizontal planes and the other pair resting on top of the first pair with their bases extending upwardly.
18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 17, in which the other pair rest with their base in vertical or substantially vertical planes.
19. A storage and transport or carrying frame for sheets of glass comprises a structure which may be collapsed/disassembled into a transport or "return empty" position of the frame and one which is of a size and/or shape as to be capable of being assembled or nested or interfitted with a similar or identical collapsed/disassembled carrying frame also in transport arrangement to occupy reduced or minimum space, and wherein the frame is an "L-frame stillage" or "L-shaped carrying frame", and wherein the upwardly extending glass supporting frames are a row of A-shaped trestles or sub-frames with the upwardly extending legs of the sub-frames being hingedly or pivotably joined at a region spaced from the base member and the upper sub-frame parts are pivotably collapsible so as to overlay one another, and being collapsible so as to leave each carrying frame with a partly collapsed structure along one part of the base member which may be cooperatively juxtaposed with a similar collapsed frame reoriented through 180 or thereabouts with the non-collapsed frame parts abutting the base member of the juxtaposed carrying frame.
20. A frame as claimed in claim 19, in which a lattice truss structure is provided on the base member and with the uprights thereof formed by the fixed lower parts of the Ashaped sub-frames or trestles and said lower parts being of different heights and such as to enable compact and level folding-over of the upper parts of the A-frame, and in which the height of the uprights reduces inwardly from the outermost towards the centre of the base or vice versa; or in which the lowermost pivot points of the A-frames are disposed at a level so as to permit the remainder of the sub-frame parts to be pivotally collapsed into frame storage locations without collision or interference with other collapsed frame parts, even if overlapping therewith.
21. A frame as claimed in claim 20, in which the subframe parts are collapsed to enable a generally parallel disposition of the collapsed/folded parts.
22. A frame or arrangement of frames substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.