GB2463328A

GB2463328A - Collapsible curtain sided cargo container

Info

Publication number: GB2463328A
Application number: GB0820361A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dale Botham; Martin Clive-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2008-11-07
Publication date: 2010-03-17
Also published as: GB0813509D0; GB0820361D0

Abstract

A curtain sided intermodal container consists of end frames 2, 3 that fold inwards onto a base structure 1. The end frames 2, 3 may be single pinned, multi pinned or bolted to the base structure, or held by a combination of pins and bolts. There may also be provided a roof structure 4 which is completely detachable, or attached and foldable with the end frames 2, 3. The container may have a multi axis pin jointing system (see figs 8-10) to join the base 1 to the end frame 2, 3. The container may have a multi pin lug jointing system (see figs 11, 12, 14) to join the base 1 to the end frame 2, 3. The container may utilise tapered pin joints (see fig 10). The benefit of the container is said to be reduced shipping and handling costs together with the opportunity to fold the container and ship on the return leg in modules of three or more with significant transportation savings.

Description

Title: Foldin2 Curtain sided Container Issue A

Field of Invention

The invention relates to the world wide transport of goods with curtain sided containers. The invention has the duel benefits of both providing a more durable structure and reduces relocation costs of both new build containers from the factory, empty return and storage costs of the equipment. It is believed that increased efficiency and a lower carbon footprint can be achieved with more efficient operational methodologies.

Background of the Invention

This invention both improves the operation efficiency of curtain sided containers of any length, width of height or combinations thereof as well as providing a means of improving the durability of the container structure. Curtain side units are often wider than standard ISO units and therefore cannot be transported in standard cell guides on containers ships. As for all cargo containers the costs of empty return are a significant part of the operating costs and the aim of this invention is to reduce the transport costs in all modes of transport for both delivery of new equipment and relocation of empty containers after cargo delivery. A primary requirement for a curtain side container is its ability to load standard pallets side by side, termed pallet wide in the industry often requiring widths greater than 2438mm leading to complications when transported on board deep sea vessels as the containers do not fit into standard cell guides so must be transported on deck. This invention will apply to any curtain side unit of differing lengths and widths as there are commercial advantages to units that can be folded reducing shipping costs for the transport of new units and also empty return costs.

Standard width units are easier to transport when fully assembled but as in all containers any reduction in volume will potentially dramatically reduce empty transportation costs on the return leg of any journey that the container may undertake.

With regard to the structural integrity of the equipment it is a known problem for fatigue cracking to occur in highly stressed areas around the base(l) to end frame (2 & 3) connection point and the end frame to roof (4) connection. Careful design of these joints can eliminate the problem but it is a know fact that welded joints are often less durable than properly design mechanical achieved joints. These critical joints must withstand considerable bending loads to control the deflection of the base structure and transmit stacking loads. A multi-pinned or bolted joint has no welds in the area of maximum loading and with the use of close fitting or tapered pins can be made to efficiently transmit the bending loads thus providing all the benefits of a fully welded, rigid joint without the durability (Fatigue life) disadvantage.

Summary of the Invention

A typical curtain side container consists of a base (I), front end frame (2), rear door or end frame (3) and a roof (4). A typical container which exceeds 4Oft in length will have top castings at 4Oft spacing as well as 45ft spacing. These castings are usually replicated in the base structure.

Curtains (7) extend along both longitudinal sides of the container although there is some scope for curtains to replace the front wall and rear doors. The curtains are usually supported at the top via rollers and can be opened by pulling them longitudinally along the container. When closed the curtains are secured and tensioned longitudinally and secured to the base via buckles, loops, eyelets and a wire or some method involving secure clips or clasps.

The container will be certified to be able to withstand all the transportation detailed in 1S01496, This invention allows a full size empty curtain side containers to be easily disassembled and folded into a package that allows the folded unit to be connected together in stacks of 3 or more units (modules) and transported on road rail and sea at much reduced cost. The modules will reduce the transport cost by ship, rail and road vehicles by a factor dependent on the number of containers in each module. For example a module of three containers would reduce transport costs to one third of that for a fully assembled unit. Other cost associated with the transport of the equipment will also be dramatically reduced in the same manner; handling and storage costs will also be reduced proportionally.

Each module will be certified to be able to withstand all the transportation loads detailed in ISO 1496 required for fully assembled containers.

Figure 4 Illustrates a folded unit with reusable short end frames and pivoting end walls and the roof secured to the folded base structure.

The folding operation can be achieved in a number of ways, in Figure 2 the end frames have one pin permanently engaged with the base structure allowing the end frames to be rotated about the pin axis to fold flat to the base structure. The end frames are then secured to the base via bolts, pins or mechanical locking device (10). The roof is then lowered onto the folded base/end frame assembly and bolted, pinned or otherwise into place (9). To allow lifting at the 45ft positions two reusable short end frames (7 and 8) consisting of but not limited to two short posts and transverse connecting members are used which are pinned or bolted to the base and roof structure thereby providing reinforcement to allow the folded structure to react stacking, racking and lifting loads expect to be seen during transportation.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative method where the end frames can be completely removable and bolted or pinned directly to the base but are position at the base ends such that the roof structure can be bolted or pinned to the to the container end wall/door structures without the need for reusable short end frames. The joint mechanisms can be the same as any described previously. As the end wall/door frames are bolted to the base and the roof connected directly to them, the racking and lifting loads applied to the roof casting loads are transferred directly to the end frame end then to the base structure negating the need for additional reusable structural end frames to provide rigidity when the container is in the folded condition. The joint components designed for use when the container is assembled will be utilised with the minimum of additional component. To aid erection where the roof is pinned at one end or completely removable a roller type support can be incorporated between the top of the end frames and the rood such that when the end frames are erected the roller moves along the longitudinal axis of the container roof and lifts the rood into position for final assembly.

Joint types.

In all cases with this type of containers the joints must be able to transmit rotational as well as translational loads to control structural defleetions and minimise the container weight. The following describes the various joint types that have been invented to address these requirements. Whilst is possible to manufacture to very close tolerances and options for this type of manufacture has been taken into account, jointing method have also been included to allow some deviation in manufacture to be taken up in the joint whilst still achieving a tight joint with zero free movement when under load. Whilst the figures included here illustrate the joints at specific positions on the container structure it is not envisaged that this will be the only position where the joint can be utilised. It is also envisaged that features from different types of joint can be combined in a different manner to create a new joint type.

In all types of folding and erection the roof can be fully removable, remain pinned at one end or fold via two or more hinged joint along its length so that it's length is shortened and can remain attached to the container end frames. The hinged joints will be rigidly locked when the container is erected to form and rigid roof structure. Rubber seals or sealant will be incorporated at the hinge positions on the roof structure to ensure a water tight seal is achieved.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a joint used here for the connected between the roof and rear end frame. The casting at 4Oft is supported by a bolt on strut (11) connected to brackets (12) and (15) mounted on the casting and post respectively. The intermediate post is bolted to the roof via multiplicity of bolts (16) which could be replaced by a pinned or mechanical mechanism. The rear frame has less natural rigidity as the doors do not form a rigid shear panel until all gaps are taken up when racking loads are imposed. Because of this it is important to maintain the rotational connection between the corner post and roof structure. This takes the form of a bolted or pinned joint with a male and female side, the male having a single lug a (19) and the female side has twin lugs (17,18).

It is possible to extend such a joint to multiple male Jugs and corresponding female lugs. The Joint can have the male side connected to the roof structure and female to the post or male to post and female part of the joint to the roof. A single pin is able to achieve this to some degree provided that the lug is wide and pin fit is of a close enough tolerance. A superior solution is to use two smaller cylindrical pins and shims to prevent lateral movement of the lug and roof structure. A further refinement on the joint is to use one cylindrical and one tapered pin or two tapered pins (13) that will firstly take up clearances in the joint but also allow more clearance in the joint for assembly. By ensuring that the outer post plate (18) is a close fit to the roof lug then lateral movement is prevented in the outboard direction. Tapered pins are used to locate the lug in the rear corner post and these are inserted with their larger diameter to the inside of the container. The pins have a slot cut in their ends so they can be secured by a bolt and bar arrangement (14) which will also push onto the bottom of the slot in the pin and force the taper pin into its hole ensuring all clearances are removed. By ensuring that the pin taper is increasing in diameter towards the centre of the container the lateral movement of the post is prevented from moving outboard by the taper and inboard by the roof lug. The double pins and lateral location at both pins ensures rotational connection between the roof and rear post is achieved. This arrangement can also be reversed in that the taper pins are inserted from the outside of the container and the support structure rearranged accordingly.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the Multi-axis pin solution. A multiplicity of pins are required to create rotational rigidity The connection of the base to end frames can be achieved in a number of ways one method is via a multiplicity of close tolerance pins (22) and/or bolted tension or friction joints. The multiplicity of connections will provide the required rotational connectivity required to restrict base deflections. Due to inherent manufacturing clearances in pinned joints there is the possibility of movement under load once assembled. This problem can be solved by the use of tapered pins (20) which engage with tapered holes in the joint lugs (25) and have a central hole through which a bolt (21) is positioned. This bolt is tightened into a threaded plate (24) to pull the tapered pin into tight engagement with the lugs forming a rigid connection. This taper pin arrangement has the advantage of allowing closer tolerance pins to be used for other parts of the joint which otherwise would be very difficult to manufacture accurately enough. One pin is positioned with is axis at an angle with respect to the other pin. In this arrangement one pin has transverse loads applied and the other longitudinal loads with respect to the container. The pins combine to provide rotational rigidity. In this illustration a cylindrical pin (22) is utilised but a taper pin could be used as an alternative. If manufacturing tolerances allowed then two cylindrical pins could be utilised.

A similar arrangement is used where the transverse pin (22) is replaced with a multiplicity of bolts whilst retaining the tapers (or cylindrical) pin with its axis arrange to be nominally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

It is possible to manufacture the front end frame connecting joints without the use of tapered pin provided the manufacturing tolerances could be controlled sufficiently to allow the use of close fitting pins. In this manner a tight' joint can be achieved without the expense of the tapered pin arrangements.

The front end frame to roof connection is achieved by a multiplicity of pins and/or bolts. At the front a tapered or cylindrical pin to react lifting and stacking positioned with its axis longitudinal with respect to the container loads. An intermediate post positioned between the 45ft and 4Oft casting positions can be bolted or pinned tot eh roof structure. The tapered pin is included to take up manufacturing clearances and ensure that the joint can transmit rotational as well as direct loading. The connection from the front wall to header and sill is accomplished by a series of bolts which provide the necessary shear transfer capability to stabilise the front end frame under racking loads.

Figure 11, 12 and 14 illustrate a joint where a multiplicity of pins (28, 30) has their axis nominally perpendicular to the longitudinal container axis.

Both pins can be cylindrical if manufacturing tolerances allow but Figure 13 illustrated the cylindrical plus taper pin (30) solution which will once the pin is tightened into the taper hole (34) by bolt (31) take up the clearance and ensure that the joint is rigid.

The front wall provides transverse rigidity by being securely bolted tot eh front sill and front header via a multiplicity of bolts.

Ancillary equipment such intermediate sliding posts (5), side gates (6) etc will be stored within the void created between the roof base and end frames when the container is in the folded condition. It is expected that the curtains will be attached to the roof via its top rollers in the normal manner and folded into the roof space for folded transportation.

A weather proofing system is utilised where a flat plate formed from a welded plate component, angle, C section, box section or other suitable shape has one face pressed against the underside of the roof side beams and together with a runner seal or sealant ensures no water ingress. All other mating parts are weather proofed with either an overlapping rubber seal arrangement or silicon sealant or similar or both.

To accommodate the folding arrangement the version of the container which incorporates side gates (6) and multiple intermediate sliding posts (5) must deviate from the usual arrangement in that the apertures between the posts and therefore the length of the gates are no longer of equal length. The arrangement of the posts is determined by the geometry of the folding ends.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 Typical 45ft curtain side container Figure 2 Pinned end frame folding illustration Figure 3 Removable end frame folding illustration Figure 4 Typical Folded Container Figure 5 Twin pin lug joint inside view Figure 6 Twin pin lug joint outside view Figure 7 Twin pin lug joint sectional view Figure 8 Multi-axis duel pin joint iso view Figure 9 Multi-axis duel pin joint front view Figure 10 Multi-axis duel pin joint section view Figure 11 Single-axis duel pin joint iso view Figure 12 Single-axis duel pin joint front view Figure 13 Single-axis duel pin joint section view

Claims

Claims 1. A curtain sided Intermodal container with end frames that fold inwards to the base structure which are single pinned, multi pinned or bolted to the base structure or a combination of pins and bolts. The roof structure may be completely detachable or fold with the end frames.
2. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain side container with a completely removable roof.
3. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain side container permanently attached roof at one end during folding.
4. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain side container with a pined attached roof at one end roller support at the other.
5. The invention in claim I, further characterised by a folding curtain side with detachable angled support from the corner posts to 4Oft castings.
6. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-axis pin jointing system at front base to end frame.
7. The invention in claim I, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-axis pin jointing system at rear base to end frame.
8. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-axis pin jointing system at front roof to end frame.
9. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-axis pin jointing system at rear roof to end frame.
1O.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-pin lug jointing system at front base to end frame.
11.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-pin lug jointing system at rear base to end frame.
12.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-pin lug jointing system at front roof to end frame.
13.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Multi-pin lug pin jointing system at rear roof to end frame.
14.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container which utilises tapered pin joints.
15. The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with single or multiple Tapered pin and cylindrical pin joints.
16.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Taper pin joint compressed and secured by bar, boltd and profiled hole.
17.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with Taper pins compressed and secured by bolts through the centre of the pin
18.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with a curtain mounted to separate roof.
19.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with a double pinned lug to provide moment transmission at joint.
20.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with a double pinned lug with cylindrical pin and tapered pin.
21.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with a double pinned lug with tapered pins.22The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with a double pin lug with shims and cylindrical pins.23.The invention in claim 1, further characterised by a folding curtain sided container with folding curtain side container with reduced width base for end frame nesting.