GB2421480A - Roll cage base plate - Google Patents
Roll cage base plate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2421480A GB2421480A GB0428345A GB0428345A GB2421480A GB 2421480 A GB2421480 A GB 2421480A GB 0428345 A GB0428345 A GB 0428345A GB 0428345 A GB0428345 A GB 0428345A GB 2421480 A GB2421480 A GB 2421480A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- base plate
- roll cage
- chassis
- cage
- roll
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 235000004443 Ricinus communis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 240000000528 Ricinus communis Species 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000071 blow moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920001179 medium density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004701 medium-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000001175 rotational moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/002—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by a rectangular shape, involving sidewalls or racks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/14—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/02—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/14—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
- B62B3/18—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys nestable by means of pivoted supports or support parts, e.g. baskets
- B62B3/184—Nestable roll containers
- B62B3/188—Z-shaped when nested
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2501/00—Manufacturing; Constructional features
- B62B2501/06—Materials used
- B62B2501/065—Plastics
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
- Packaging Of Machine Parts And Wound Products (AREA)
Abstract
A base plate (14) for a roll cage (2) is made substantially or wholly of a plastics material. The base plate (14) preferably includes a plurality of hinge structures (16) located adjacent different edges of the plate, allowing it to be repositioned for continuous use if one of the hinge structures becomes damaged.
Description
ROLL CAGE BASE PLATE
The present invention relates to a roll cage base plate and to a roll cage that includes such a base plate.
Roll cages are widely used in the retail industry for storing and distributing goods to and within shops and other retail outlets. A typical roll cage consists of a wheeled, two-sided cage mounted on a steel chassis having either wheels or castors. The cage includes two vertical side panels and a square or rectangular base plate that is attached to the chassis with a horizontal hinge. The hinge allows the base plate to be folded flat against one of the side panels, allowing the empty roll cage to be nested with other similar cages, to reduce the space occupied by the empty cages. The chassis typically has a Z- or U- shaped configuration to allow nesting. Optionally, the roll cage may include one or two hinged doors, to provide a three- or four-sided cage.
Another common type of roll cage has a three-sided cage comprising a rear panel and two side panels that are attached to the edges of the rear panel with vertical hinges, and a base plate that is attached to the chassis by a horizontal hinge. The hinges allow the side panels and the base plate to be folded flat against the rear panel, so that the empty roll cage can be nested with other similar cages. The roll cage may also include a pivotable shelf attached to the rear panel to accommodate additional goods. The shelf can be folded against the rear panel for nesting. The fourth side of the cage is normally left open. However, the roll cage may optionally include a door that is hinged to one of the side panels and a top hinged to the upper edge of the rear panel, which can be closed and locked for secure storage of valuable goods.
In both of the existing roll cages described above, the panels and the base plate, as well as the optional shelf, door and top are normally constructed from welded steel wire.
There are a number of problems associated with existing roll cages. First, they tend to be very noisy to use, as the vertical panels and the base plate rattle loudly when the roll cage is moved around, and the base plate may be dropped heavily onto the chassis when a nested cage is being made ready for use. This can cause enviromnental problems, particularly where shops are located in residential areas, and their use can be restricted by laws banning noisy activities at night or in the early hours of the morning. The existing roll cages are also prone to rust or damage, and repair costs tend to be high owing to the welded construction of the cage components. Such roll cages are also quite heavy (for example 40- kg), which makes them difficult to move and has an impact on the useful payload that can be carried by delivery vehicles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a roll cage, and a base plate for a roll cage, that mitigates at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a base plate for a roll cage that is made substantially or wholly of a plastics material, for example medium density polyethylene (MDPE).
A plastics base plate provides numerous advantages over previous metal base plates. In particular, the base plate is much quieter in use, as it is softer and less resonant than the wire base plates previously used. It is also lighter and cheaper, rustproof and resistant to accidental damage Advantageously, the base plate includes a hinge structure located adjacent at least one edge of the plate. This enables the base plate to be raised, allowing the roll cage to be nested with similar roll cages.
The hinge structure is preferably moulded integrally with the base plate.
The hinge structure may include a plurality of pivot pins, and each pivot pin is preferably located in a recess in one edge of the base plate. The base plate may include a plurality of hinge structures located adjacent different edges of the plate. In the event that one of the hinge structures becomes damaged, the base plate can be easily removed and relocated using another one of the hinge structures, thereby considerably extending the lifetime of the product.
Advantageously, the base plate comprises a blow moulding. This results in a plate that is light and strong, and has good sound-absorbing properties. Alternatively, the base plate may be made by other moulding processes, for example injection moulding or rotational moulding.
The base plate may include a number of strengthening formations for example corrugations.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a roll cage including a chassis having wheels or castors, a plurality of vertical panels attached to and supported by the chassis, and a roll cage base plate according to any one of the preceding claims.
Advantageously, the roll cage base plate is attached to the chassis by means of a hinge structure.
We have found that by making the base plate of the roll cage from a plastics material, the roll cage can be made much quieter in use. This is because in a traditional wire roll cage, most of the noise arises from the base plate banging against the chassis and the two side panels. The plastics base plate is softer than a wire cage base plate and does not resonate so much when banged against the chassis or the side panels, therefore making the roll cage much quieter to use. The plastics base plate is also lighter than a metal base plate, it does not rust and has good resistance to damage. Furthermore, fabrication costs are lower, as it can be moulded as a single unit (for example by blow moulding) whereas the metal base plate is constructed from many parts, which have to be welded together.
One disadvantage of using a plastics material for the roll cage base plate is that the moulded hinge structure used to attach the base plate to the chassis can eventually become damaged, if subjected to excessive loads. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the roll cage base plate is provided with more than one hinge structure, to provide an alternative hinge structure if the first hinge structure becomes damaged. This feature significantly extends the potential useful lifetime of the plastics roll cage base plate.
The use of a plastics material also provides a number of other advantages over traditional steel wire cages. For example, the base plate can be made in desired corporate colours, and logos or advertising slogan can easily be incorporate into the design of the base plate.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a roll cage in a loading configuration; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a roll cage in a nesting configuration; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a roll cage base plate; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the roll cage base plate.
The roll cage 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes two vertical side panels 4 mounted on a tubular steel chassis 6, which is supported on four castors 8. The chassis has a Z-shaped configuration, comprising two parallel side members 10 and a diagonal cross-member 12 that interconnects the side members. The cage 2 also includes a substantially rectangular base plate 14 that is attached to one of the chassis side members by means of a horizontal hinge structure 16, comprising two pivot pins 18 that are engaged in steel tubes 19 welded to the chassis. The hinge structure 16 allows the base plate 14 to be laid horizontally so that it lies on top of the chassis 6 for loading as shown in Figure 1, or raised to a vertical position as shown in Figure 2 so that it stands flat against one of the side panels 4. In this vertical position, the empty roll cage can be nested with other similar cages, to reduce the space occupied by the empty cages. The Z-shaped configuration of the chassis 6 allows nesting. Optionally, the roll cage 2 may include one or two doors (not shown), which are attached by hinges to the side panels 4 of the cage to provide a three- or four-sided cage.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the base plate 14 consists essentially of a rectangular panel, having two longer sides 20a and two shorter sides 20b. The corners of the panel are rounded. The panel is made wholly or substantially of a plastics material such as medium density polyethylene (MDPE), for example by blow moulding, rotational moulding or injection moulding. On its underside, the panel includes strengthening formations 22 (for example, corrugations) and a Z-shaped formation 24 that is configured to engage the side members and the cross-member of the chassis 6 when the base plate is in the horizontal loading position.
A hinge structure 16 is provided on each of the two longer sides of the base plate. Each hinge structure includes two pivot pins 18, which are of similar construction. Each pivot pin 18 is formed in a recess 26 provided in the edge 20a of the base plate 14 and extends from one side of the recess towards the other side of the recess, the axis of the pin being parallel to the longer edge 20a of the base plate.
In use, the pivot pins 18 are located within cylindrical steel tubes 19 that are welded to the chassis 6 of the roll cage. The pivot pins 18 can rotate within the tubes, allowing the base plate 14 to be pivoted from the horizontal loading position in which it lies against the chassis, to the vertical nesting position. The base plate 14 can be removed from the roll cage by sliding it in the direction of the hinge axis, to disengage the pins from the tubes.
If one set of pivot pins becomes damaged, the base plate 14 can be removed and turned around so that the alternative set of pivot pins can be engaged in the pivot tubes. If desired, locking devices (for example, split pins) can be inserted through the ends of the pivot pins 18 to prevent unintended disengagement.
The base plate 14 also includes a pair of hand holes 28, which are used when lifting or lowering the base plate. These hand holes are optional and may be omitted, if not required.
Each hand hole includes a short spigot 30, which can be attached to a retaining ioop or strap (not shown) provided on one of the side panels 4, to retain the base plate 14 in the vertical nesting position.
The base plate 14 includes a pattern of raised bumps 32 on its upper surface for increased friction, and on each of the shorter sides 20b of the base plate a raised ridge 34 is provided, to prevent goods from sliding off the base plate. These bumps 32 and ridges 34 may be omitted if not required.
The plastics base plate 14 described above is equally applicable to other types of roll cage that require a hinged base plate. For example, the base plate may be used with a three-sided roll cage having a rear panel and two side panels attached to the edges of the rear panel.
In this case, the base plate would be attached to the chassis by means of a horizontal hinge that extends parallel to the rear panel.
Various modifications of the invention are of course possible. For example, the plastics base plate may include a reinforcing frame of metal or any other suitable material, encased within the plastics material. Each of the hinge structures may include more than two pivot pins, for example three or four pivot pins. The hinge structures may also take other fonTis: for example, piano-hinges may be used. Hinge structures may also be provided on more than two sides of the base plate for an even longer lifetime.
Claims (12)
- I. A base plate for a roll cage, wherein the base plate is made substantially or wholly of a plastics material.
- 2. A base plate according to claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a hinge structure located adjacent at least one edge of the plate.
- 3. A base plate according to claim 2, wherein the hinge structure is moulded integrally with the base plate.
- 4. A base plate according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the hinge structure includes a plurality of pivot pins.
- 5. A base plate according to claim 4, wherein each pivot pin is located in a recess in one edge of the base plate.
- 6. A base plate according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the base plate includes a plurality of hinge structures located adjacent different edges of the plate.
- 7. A base plate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate comprises a blow moulding.
- 8. A base plate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate includes a number of strengthening formations.
- 9. A roll cage including a chassis having wheels or castors, a plurality of vertical panels attached to and supported by the chassis, and a roll cage base plate according to any one of the preceding claims.
- 10. A roll cage according to claim 9, wherein the roll cage base plate is attached to the chassis by means of a hinge structure.
- 11. A base plate for a roll cage, the base plate being substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
- 12. A roll cage substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0428345A GB2421480B (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2004-12-24 | Roll cage base plate |
| PCT/GB2005/005026 WO2006067479A2 (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2005-12-21 | Roll cage |
| EP05846527A EP1833713A2 (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2005-12-21 | Roll cage |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0428345A GB2421480B (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2004-12-24 | Roll cage base plate |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0428345D0 GB0428345D0 (en) | 2005-02-02 |
| GB2421480A true GB2421480A (en) | 2006-06-28 |
| GB2421480B GB2421480B (en) | 2008-09-17 |
Family
ID=34130913
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0428345A Expired - Fee Related GB2421480B (en) | 2004-12-24 | 2004-12-24 | Roll cage base plate |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1833713A2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2421480B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006067479A2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2454004A (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2009-04-29 | Domestic Refuse Services Ltd | A sound absorbing material and improvements in and relating to delivery trolleys |
| WO2009071867A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-11 | Haywood Materials Handling Limited | A roll container |
| GB2501776A (en) * | 2012-05-05 | 2013-11-06 | Haruo Okamoto | Space saving chassis |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2472866B (en) | 2009-08-21 | 2013-05-08 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Network elements, integrated circuits and methods for routing control |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2454943A1 (en) * | 1979-04-26 | 1980-11-21 | Coat Jean | Fixing for metal rails on trolley floor - has U=shaped plate at base of tubular rail grips angles of moulded plastics floor |
| NL1002868C1 (en) * | 1996-04-15 | 1997-10-17 | Wavin Trepak B V | Roller-mounted container with metal frame |
| US20030173320A1 (en) * | 2002-02-13 | 2003-09-18 | Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc | Space-saving rack |
| WO2004050450A1 (en) * | 2002-12-05 | 2004-06-17 | Italfil Di Guerra Walter & C. S.N.C. | Side of a trolley |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4222579A (en) * | 1976-08-31 | 1980-09-16 | Elopak A/S | Nestable trolley with volume regulation |
| NL7806543A (en) * | 1978-06-16 | 1979-12-18 | Stichting Melkverpakking | ROLL-IN CONTAINER. |
| DE3010366A1 (en) * | 1979-04-09 | 1980-10-23 | Campisusa Spa | ROLLER CONTAINERS WITH SWIVELING SIDEWALLS AND WITH THE SWIVELING ROLLERS CARRYED IN THE AREA OF THE SWIVELING ENDS |
| GB0305404D0 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2003-04-16 | Neppco Ltd | Demountable,modular,substantially all-plastic,roll container |
-
2004
- 2004-12-24 GB GB0428345A patent/GB2421480B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2005
- 2005-12-21 EP EP05846527A patent/EP1833713A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-12-21 WO PCT/GB2005/005026 patent/WO2006067479A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2454943A1 (en) * | 1979-04-26 | 1980-11-21 | Coat Jean | Fixing for metal rails on trolley floor - has U=shaped plate at base of tubular rail grips angles of moulded plastics floor |
| NL1002868C1 (en) * | 1996-04-15 | 1997-10-17 | Wavin Trepak B V | Roller-mounted container with metal frame |
| US20030173320A1 (en) * | 2002-02-13 | 2003-09-18 | Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc | Space-saving rack |
| WO2004050450A1 (en) * | 2002-12-05 | 2004-06-17 | Italfil Di Guerra Walter & C. S.N.C. | Side of a trolley |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2454004A (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2009-04-29 | Domestic Refuse Services Ltd | A sound absorbing material and improvements in and relating to delivery trolleys |
| GB2454004B (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2009-11-11 | Domestic Refuse Services Ltd | A sound absorbing material and improvements in and relating to delivery trolleys |
| WO2009071867A1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-11 | Haywood Materials Handling Limited | A roll container |
| GB2464901A (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2010-05-05 | Haywood Materials Handling Ltd | A roll container |
| GB2464901B (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2012-08-15 | Haywood Materials Handling Ltd | A roll container |
| GB2501776A (en) * | 2012-05-05 | 2013-11-06 | Haruo Okamoto | Space saving chassis |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2421480B (en) | 2008-09-17 |
| WO2006067479A2 (en) | 2006-06-29 |
| EP1833713A2 (en) | 2007-09-19 |
| WO2006067479A3 (en) | 2006-08-24 |
| GB0428345D0 (en) | 2005-02-02 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6634668B2 (en) | Collapsible display cart | |
| US7100780B1 (en) | Display assembly | |
| US5988725A (en) | Foldable tailgate ramp for pickup trucks | |
| US5392718A (en) | Wheel lifting assembly for mobile folding stage unit | |
| EP1833712B8 (en) | Roll cage | |
| US8109526B2 (en) | Convertible A-frame cart | |
| CA2510438C (en) | Storage carts | |
| US8267018B2 (en) | Load support | |
| US20060219746A1 (en) | Vehicle storage box with flat access | |
| US20150344222A1 (en) | Modular transportation systems, devices and methods | |
| US20030197165A1 (en) | Expandable and contractible barrier | |
| US20070278169A1 (en) | Frame adapted to be fitted inside an outer container | |
| WO1993006017A1 (en) | Collapsible cage | |
| US5273337A (en) | Article rack | |
| EP3284624B1 (en) | Support beam | |
| AU659908B2 (en) | Apparatus for partitioning a storage space | |
| CA2363989C (en) | Collapsible cart with shelf | |
| EP1833713A2 (en) | Roll cage | |
| US7516855B2 (en) | Storage carts | |
| US20050263969A1 (en) | Load leveler for a cart | |
| US20180155078A1 (en) | Display container | |
| WO2008086410A2 (en) | Composite stake racks for flatbed truck body | |
| NL2026636B1 (en) | A roll container comprising a first beam, a body and a connector for connecting the first beam and the body to each other | |
| EP3133025A1 (en) | Support structure for supporting a big-bag | |
| AU2006100271B4 (en) | Trailer support posts |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: LINPAC MATERIALS HANDLING LIMITED Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): LINPAC MOULDINGS LIMITED |
|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20100121 AND 20100127 |
|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20170511 AND 20170517 |
|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20201224 |