GB2518847A

GB2518847A - Modular storage and transportation system

Info

Publication number: GB2518847A
Application number: GB1317390.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Samuel Pattison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-01
Filing date: 2013-10-01
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: GB201317390D0

Abstract

A stackable container 10 for a modular storage and transportation system. The container comprises: a body 110; a plurality of upper connectors 120 at an upper side of the body, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked above it; and a plurality of lower connectors 130 at a lower side of the body, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked below it. Fork lift pockets 140 may be provided, and the container may connect to a lifting frame 20 and a wheeled trolley 30. The connectors may be locked together by a pin (52, fig 7) having pivotal securing means (56, fig 7).

Description

DESCRIPTION

MODULAR STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a modular storage and transportation system. It relates in particular to a container for use in such a system, as well as a wheeled trolley and a lifting frame for moving one or more of the containers.

The invention may be particularly relevant for storing and transporting tools, equipment and building materials, in the construction industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On construction sites, there is a need to move around tools, equipment and materials. This includes transporting them horizontally over the ground and raising and lowering them between different vertical levels -for example, from the ground to an elevated platform of scaffolding.

Existing solutions are ad-hoc in nature. Tools are typically carried by hand in a tool box. Building materials may be lifted by crane, depending on whether their packaging is suitable for this.

The existing state of affairs can lead to an untidy construction site, with associated increased risk of accidents and difficulty finding things. Lifting heavy tools, equipment, or materials by ad-hoc methods can present an additional danger that the object being lifted detaches from the lifting means (for example, a crane-hook) and falls, causing injury to workers or damage.

With ad-hoc solutions, there is no way to consistently ensure that the materials are conveyed safely.

Furthermore, manual lifting and handling are leading causes of occupational injury, such as back injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stackable container for a modular storage and transportation system, comprising: a body; a plurality of upper connectors at an upper side of the body, adapted to connect the container with a like container stacked above it; and a plurality of lower connectors at a lower side of the body, adapted to connect the container with a like container stacked below it, wherein the body is adapted to support the weight of a loaded identical container stacked above the container or suspended below it, the lower connectors are adapted to support the weight of a loaded like container suspended below the container, and the upper connectors are adapted to suspend weight of the container, when loaded, in addition to the weight of a loaded like container suspended below it.

This modular container is stackable -that is, its base is adapted to engage with the top of a like container, in order to provide stability when two or more such containers are stacked on top of one another. The engagement means that relative movement in the horizontal plane is resisted, until the stacked containers are separated in the vertical direction. In other words, the upper container needs to be lifted off the lower container(s) in order to move it sideways.

The modular container has connectors for connecting it with like containers above and below it in a stack. The container -in particular, the connectors -is designed to be strong enough that a stack of containers connected together can be suspended from the top of the uppermost container. Preferably, the container and its connectors are strong enough to allow vertical stacks of three, four, five, or more containers to be suspended from the uppermost container. For example, to enable stacks of four containers, the upper connectors of the container must (collectively) be strong enough to suspend the weight of four like containers, each loaded to its intended capacity. Thus, if the container is designed for a gross weight of 1000 kg, when loaded, the upper connectors must (collectively) be capable of suspending a load of 4000 kg. The lower connectors must (collectively) be capable of suspending a load of 3000 kg.

The body of the container is also capable of supporting the weight of one or more like containers stacked above the container. For example, in order to allow four like containers to be stacked, the body of the container should be designed to support four times the design gross loaded weight of one container.

The modular container can provide a unified solution to the problems of storing and stacking diverse tools, equipment, and materials. The connectors on the container facilitate stacking, as well as standardised connection to other apparatus, for transportation. For example, the lower connectors can be used to couple the container securely to a suitably adapted wheeled trolley; and the upper connectors can be used to couple the container securely to a suitably adapted lifting frame, which can then be lifted by conventional lifting apparatus, such as a crane. Since the container and its connections is standardised, and all of the components can be designed according to a common safety specification, the system can reduce the risks inherent in ad-hoc transportation and lifting of heavy items. The system of containers, lifting frame, and trolley can also help to reduce the risk of occupational injury associated with manual lifting. The trolley can enable heavy tools, equipment, and materials to be rolled along the ground. The lifting frame can enable these items to be lifted to the level where they are needed. This can avoid the need for workers to carry tools in their hands when climbing ladders, for example.

Also provided is a stackable container for a modular storage and transportation system, comprising: a body; a plurality of feet projecting from a lower side of the body, each foot comprising a lower connector, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked below it; and a plurality of upper connectors at an upper side of the body, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked above it, by engaging with the feet of the identical container.

Preferably, the body is adapted to support the weight of a loaded identical container stacked above the container or suspended below it, the lower connectors are adapted to support the weight of a loaded identical container suspended below the container, and the upper connectors are adapted to suspend the container when loaded, with a loaded identical container suspended below it The container preferably further comprises a plurality of feet projecting from the lower side of the body, wherein the lower connectors are provided on the feet, and the upper connectors are adapted to engage with the feet of an identical container stacked above.

The engagement of the feet with the upper connectors can resist relative lateral movement of stacked containers. This reduces the likelihood that containers may be knocked off the stack accidentally.

The container preferably further comprises a plurality of upstanding posts projecting from the upper side of the body, wherein the upper connectors comprise the posts, and the lower connectors are adapted to engage with the upstanding posts of an identical container stacked below.

The posts are preferably solid.

Optionally, each lower connector comprises a female part; and each upper connector comprises a male part adapted to engage with the female part of an identical container stacked above.

Optionally, alternatively, each upper connector comprises a female part; and each lower connector comprises a male part adapted to engage with the female part of an identical container stacked below.

In each case, the male part may comprise a solid post, preferably of rectangular external cross section. The female part may comprise a hollow section, preferably of rectangular internal cross section.

The body may comprise corners and the upper and lower connectors may be provided at the corners.

The body may comprise corner pillars, wherein an upper connector is provided at the top of each corner pillar and a lower connector is provided at the bottom of each pillar. When containers are stacked, the pillars may bear the majority of the weight of the multiple containers (both in compression, when supporting the weight of containers resting on top of the container, and in tension, when carrying the weight of containers suspended below.

The container preferably further comprises locking means adapted to lock together each upper connector with a respective lower connector when two containers are stacked.

Each upper connector and respective lower connector has an aperture and the locking means comprises a pin adapted to be inserted through the apertures on both connectors.

The pin is preferably associated with the container by a flexible tie, such as a wire or chain. This helps to avoid losing the pin, when it is not in use locking together the connectors.

The pin preferably comprises securing means, adapted to resist retraction of the pin, after the pin is inserted through the apertures.

This safety feature can avoid accidental retraction of the pin, which could result in stacked containers becoming detached from one another.

The securing means may comprise a securing member pivotally connected to the pin, having a first configuration in which it can pass through the apertures and a second configuration in which it cannot pass through the apertures.

The pin preferably has an eye at the opposite end to the securing member. This may make the pin easier to manipulate manually.

The securing member may be asymmetrically connected to the pin, whereby it can rotate, under force of gravity, into the second configuration.

The may further comprise fork-lift pockets at the lower side of the body, for receiving the prongs of a fork-lift.

This can enable an additional mode of transportation, of a single container, or of stacks of containers.

The body of the container may comprise a box.

The body preferably comprises an open-topped box or crate.

Such a body may be convenient for carrying a wide variety of tools, equipment, and materials.

The box may have walls comprising one or more of a solid panel; mesh panel; or a hinged gate or door (which may comprise a solid or mesh panel).

The body may have a cuboidal shape.

The body may have a square base.

The side of the square may have a length in the range 500 mm to 2000 mm. Preferably, the side-length is in the range 800 mm to 1600mm, more preferably 1100mm to 1300 mm.

The height of the body is preferably in the range 100 mm to 3000 mm, more preferably in the range 200 mm to 2000 mmm, still more preferably in the range 500 mm to 1300 mm.

The container may be adapted to carry a load of at least 200 kg, preferably at least 500 kg, more preferably at least 1000 kg.

The container may be adapted to carry a load of not more than 10000 kg, preferably not more than 5000 kg, more preferably not more than 2000 kg.

The container is preferably made of metal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a container as claimed in any preceding claim; and a trolley having a plurality of connectors adapted to connect with the lower connectors of the container, for bearing the container.

The trolley has a plurality of wheels, preferably casters, more preferably swivel casters.

The connectors on the trolley may be similar to the upper connectors on the container. However, the trolley connectors might not need to be as strong since they will generally not have to suspend significant weight below (unlike the upper connectors on the container).

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a container as claimed in any preceding claim; and a lifting frame having a plurality of connectors adapted to connect with the upper connectors of the container, for lifting the container.

The lifting frame preferably has connectors substantially identical to the lower connectors of the container. However, the connectors on the lifting frame may be designed to be stronger, since they may need to suspend the weight of one more loaded container than the lower connectors of the top container in a stack.

The lifting frame preferably comprises a swivel eye, for engagement with a hook of a lifting apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a container, lifting frame, and trolley, according to an embodiment of the invention, in front elevation; Fig. 2 shows the lifting frame of Fig. 1 in plan view; Fig. 3 shows the trolley of Fig. 1 in plan view; Fig. 4 shows two identical containers of the type shown in Fig. 1, stacked one on top of the other; Fig. 5 shows a lower connector on the container of Fig. 1 in greater detail; Fig. 6 shows an upper connector on the container of Fig. 1 in greater detail; and Fig. 7 shows a pin for locking together the connectors.

It should be noted that these figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A modular storage and transportation system according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to Figs. 1-7.

Fig. 1 shows a container 10, a lifting frame 20, and a wheeled trolley 30, in front elevation. The container 10 is stackable and comprises a body 110. In this example, the body 110 has a square base and substantially flat sides, such that it defines a cuboidal box. The square base has sides of length 1200 mm. The box is 600 mm in height. Corner pillars 125 are provided, extending upwardly from the four corners of the square base. At the top of each corner pillar 125 there is an upper connector 120 for coupling the container to a similar container stacked above it. At the bottom of each corner pillar 125 there is a lower connector 130, for coupling the container to a similar container stacked below it. In this embodiment, the lower connectors are provided by feet projecting from the lower side of the body 110. Fork-lift pockets 140 are also provided at the lower side of the body. These are adapted to receive the prongs of a fork-lift truck, for lifting and transporting the container. In this embodiment, the walls of the box 110 are formed of sheet metal -in particular, steel.

The lifting frame 20 comprises a frame body 210 with a swivel eye 220 attached to it, for suspending the frame 20 from a crane hook. On the lower side of the frame body 210, there are four connectors 230, each of which is adapted to engage with a corresponding upper connector 120 on the container 10. Each connector 230 is welded to one of the four corners of the frame body 210. Since the upper connectors 120 on the container 10 are used both for connecting similar containers in a stack and for connecting the uppermost container to the lifting frame 20, the connectors 230 on the lifting frame 20 have a similar shape and configuration to the lower connectors 130 on the container 10. However, since the connectors 230 on the lifting frame 20 need to support more weight than the lower connectors 130 of the container (when one or more containers are suspended from above, in a stack) the connectors 230 are designed to have greater strength. In this example, gusset plates 240 are provided, to strengthen the attachment of each connector 230 to the lifting frame 210.

The trolley 30 comprises a trolley frame 310. This frame has a similar shape to the base of the container 10 and comprises connectors 320 that are adapted to engage with the lower connectors 130 on the container 10. Caster wheels 330 are coupled to the lower side of the trolley frame 310 via swivel mounts 340. In use, a container 10 can be connected with the trolley 30, by connecting the lower connectors 130 of the container with the connectors 320 on the trolley. The container 10 can then be wheeled along the ground, by means of the swivel-mounted casters 330 of the trolley. Since the lower connectors 130 of the container 10 are used to connect the container with a lower container in a stack as well as to connect the container with the trolley 30, the connectors 320 on the trolley are similar to the upper connectors 120 on the container 10. However, the connectors 320 on the trolley will, in general, not need to be as robust, because the only suspended weight that they would need to bear is the weight of the trolley itself. In contrast, the upper connectors 120 on the container 10 need to bear the suspended weight of the container itself and any lower containers in a stack, when a stack is suspended from above.

Fig. 2 shows the lifting frame 20 in plan view, from above. The frame body 210 comprises four side members 212 joined together at their ends, which form the four corners of the frame 210. In the present embodiment, each side 212 is made of 60 x 60mm rectangular hollow section (RHS) steel, with a thickness of 5 mm. The side members 212 are welded together at the corners.

A pair of cross-pieces 214 is provided between two opposing sides 212. The cross-pieces are formed of the same 60 x 60 x 5 mm RHS steel as the side members 212. The ends of the cross-pieces 214 abut against, and are welded to, the respective opposing sides 212. Midway between the two opposing sides, a steel plate 216 is welded to the underside of the cross pieces 214. In the present embodiment this plate 216 is 320 mm wide (in the horizontal direction, in Fig. 2), 200 mm long (the vertical direction, in Fig. 2) and 12 mm thick. The distance between the two cross-pieces 214 is 200 mm; therefore, a mm wide strip at each width wise end of the plate underlies the respective cross piece 214 and a 200 x 200 mm square of the plate 216 is visible from above, extending between the cross-pieces. A swivel-eye 220 is bolted to the plate 216. The bolt allows the eye 220 to rotate with respect to the frame body 210 in the horizontal plane (that is, about the vertical axis). When a container is suspended from the lifting frame 20, this allows the container to be rotated with respect to the crane hook used to lift the lifting frame 20. The length of each side 212 of the lifting frame is 1200 mm, to match the shape of the container, in plan view.

Referring again to Fig. 1, each gusset plate 240 consists of a triangular piece of steel that is 10 mm thick. One edge of this triangle is welded to the underside of the side member 212 of the frame body 210. The other edge of the triangle is welded to the connector 230. In the present embodiment, each connector 230 comprises 60 x 60 x 5 mm RHS steel. The upper end of this hollow section abuts against the underside of the frame body 210 and is welded to it. The lower end of the section forming the connector 230 is open, for receiving an upper connector 120 of the container 10. The height of the section is 80 mm and a hole of diameter 23 mm is provided in two opposing faces of the rectangular hollow section. These are the two faces that are parallel to the gusset plate 240. The hole is adapted to receive a 20 mm pin, for locking the connector 230 together with a respective upper connector 120 of the container 10.

The wheeled trolley 30 is shown in plan view, from the top, in Fig. 3.

The trolley frame 310 is square and comprises four sides 312. A pair of diagonal cross braces 314 is provided, for reinforcement. The trolley is square, with side 1200 mm, to match the size and shape of the container 10. Each side 312 of the trolley frame 310 comprises angle iron with a horizontal face and a vertical face. The mountings 340 for the casters 330 are attached to the underside of the trolley frame 310 via the horizontal face of the angle iron 312.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the connector 320 at each corner of the trolley frame is provided in the upstanding vertical face of the angle iron. The connector 320 comprises a hole of diameter 23 mm in the vertical face of one side 312 of the trolley. This hole is adapted to receive a pin 50, to lock the connector 320 together with the respective lower connector 130 on the container 10.

Fig. 4 shows a pair of containers ba and lOb connected together in a stack. The upper connectors 120 of the lower container lOb are engaged in the lower connectors 130 of the upper container ba. The upper connectors comprise male parts, and the lower connectors 130 corresponding female parts. When the containers are stacked, each male part engages in a correspondingly adapted female part.

The connectors are locked together by means of pins 50. The body of the lower container lOb is strong enough to support the weight of the upper container ba. Furthermore, the upper container ba is strong enough that the lower container lOb can be suspended below it. This means that the upper connectors 120 of the lower container lOb, the lower connectors 130 of the upper container bOa, and the pins 50 are collectively strong enough to suspend the weight of the lower container lOb. In practice, the upper and lower containers, ba and lOb, are identical, in order that they are completely interchangeable. Therefore, each of these requirements applies equally to both containers. Note also that the requirements apply when the containers are fully loaded (that is, carrying the maximum load for which they were designed). In the present embodiment, the containers are designed for a load of up to 1000 kg.

Fig. 5 shows the lower connector 130 of the container 10 in greater detail. The connector 130 is provided by a foot at the bottom end of the corner pillar 125. In this embodiment, the corner pillar is provided by a 75 x 75 mm angle iron. A horizontal bottom plate 132, 6 mm thick, is welded to the lower end of the angle iron 125. The connector 130 is provided by 60 x 60 x 5 mm RHS steel. This hollow section is 80 mm high. At its upper end, it abuts against and is welded to the bottom plate 132. The lower end of the section is open, for receiving an upper connector 120. A 23mm hole is provided in the middle of the hollow section, in two laterally opposed walls. This is adapted to receive a 20 mm pin 50 for locking the lower connector 130 together with a respective upper connector 120 of the container below.

Fig. 6 shows the upper connector 120 in greater detail. Fig. 6(a) shows an elevation and Fig. 6(b) shows a plan view of the connector 120. The connector 120 projects from the top of the corner pillar 125. A 6 mm thick top plate 122 is welded to the top of the angle iron forming the corner pillar 125.

The connector 120 comprises a solid post, which is welded to the top of this top plate 122. The solid post has a base of 40 x 40 mm and a height of 70 mm.

A hole 124 extends through the full thickness of the post. The hole has a diameter of 22 mm, for receiving the 20 mm pin 50, and the centre of the hole is 30 mm below the top of the post 120. The post 120 is positioned spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the top plate 122. When two containers are stacked, the open end of the hollow section 130 of the upper container ba rests on the exposed area of the top plate 122 around the post 120 of the lower container lOb and the post 120 is received inside the hollow section 130.

In this embodiment, the pin is cylindrical and all of the holes have a circular cross section.

In this embodiment, the body 110 of the container 10 comprises a cuboidal box. The box therefore has four vertical faces, each of which is rectangular in shape. At the top edge of each face, there is a length of angle iron 126, which connects two corner pillars 125. A first face of the angle iron 126 is in the vertical plane (the plane of the wall) and the second face is in the horizontal plane, substantially aligned with the top of the corner pillar 125. The horizontal face of the angle iron 126 is welded to the top plate 122 and the vertical face of the angle iron 126 is welded to the side of the corner pillar 125.

Fig. 7 shows a pin 50 for locking together an upper connector 120 with a respective lower connector 130. The same pin can be used to lock the lower connector 130 together with the connector 320 on the trolley 30. Likewise, the same pin can be used to lock together the upper connector 120 with the connector 230 on the lifting frame 20. The pin 50 comprises a shaft 52 (cylindrical with a diameter of 20 mm, in this embodiment), a head 54, and a securing member 56. The securing member 56 is pivotally coupled to the shaft 52 by means of a pivot 58. The securing member 56 is an elongate member and it is pivotally mounted at a point closer to one of its end than the other.

This asymmetric pivotal coupling means that the securing member 56 will tend to rotate under force of gravity when the pivot 58 is horizontal so that the longer end of the securing member 56 is oriented downwards, below the pivot 58. The shaft 52 is split at the opposite end to the head 54 and the split ends form a yoke for the securing member. The pivot is provided between the split ends of the shaft 52.

Fig. 7(a) shows the securing member in its first configuration, wherein the securing member 56 is aligned with the shaft 52 of the pin 50. In this configuration, the pin can be threaded through the holes 134 and 124 of the engaged lower and upper connectors, respectively. When fully inserted, the head 54 of the pin 50 engages against the outside of the lower connector 130.

Fig. 7(b) shows the securing member 56 in its second configuration, wherein it has fallen under force of gravity to point vertically downwards. In this configuration, the securing member 56 will engage against the opposite side of the lower connector 130 to resist retraction of the pin 50 through the holes.

This helps to avoid accidental retraction of the pin, which could cause the containers to become detached.

In the embodiment pictured in Fig. 7, the head 54 of the pin 50 is flat.

However, in other embodiments, the head may be formed with a circular eye.

This may make manual handling of the pin easier. A use can hook their finger through the eye to manipulate the pin. This may make it easier to insert the pin, in particular. After the pin has been threaded through the connectors, the user can twist it (holding the eye) so that the pivot 58 is oriented horizontally.

When the pivot is horizontal, the securing member will fall into place as shown in Fig. 7(b).

In some other embodiments, the pin may have a cross section that is not circular. For example, the pin 50 may have a square cross section. The holes 124 and 134 may be correspondingly square. In this case, the pin should be inserted with the pivot 58 already oriented horizontally, because it will not be possible to rotate the pin after it has been inserted.

It is not essential that the securing member is pivotally coupled to the pin 50. For example, the securing member could be provided as a securing pin or wedge, adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in the end of the locking pin 50. In this case, the securing member is preferably loosely attached to the locking pin 50 or to one of the upper connector 120 and lower connector 130. This loose attachment may be by means of a flexible cable or

chain, for example.

Suitable methods for constructing a container as described above will be familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, steel parts may be joined by fillet welds, where appropriate.

In Fig. 4, two containers are shown in a stack, and the strength of the containers was selected with this in mind. However, the containers may be designed for stacking (fully loaded) in greater numbers. For example, the containers may be designed for a stack of four. This means that each container should be capable of sustaining its own weight (supported from below, or suspended from above) as well as the weight of three other similar containers (stacked above it, or suspended below it). The trolley 30 should be capable of bearing the weight of four fully loaded containers and the lifting frame should be capable of suspending the weight of four fully loaded containers.

However, in some circumstances, it may be beneficial if the maximum permitted height of a stack on a trolley is less than the maximum permitted height of a stack for free-standing storage or for suspension from a lifting frame. This is because of safety considerations. If the stack of containers on a trolley is too high, the visibility of a user pushing the trolley may be obstructed, because the user cannot see over the top of the stack. Furthermore, if the weight of the stack on the trolley is too great, manual handling of the loaded trolley may become dangerous. In the embodiment described above, with containers of height 600mm and a design gross weight of 1000 kg, the maximum height of the stack on a trolley is preferably two containers. This helps to promote safe handling, which is an important benefit of embodiments of the invention, in general.

The foregoing description has assumed that all of the containers are identical. Of course, the heights of the containers need not all be identical.

Provided that the connectors 120 and 130 correspond to one another correctly (which may imply that the containers have a similar "footprint"), the height of different containers in a stack may vary. For example, a "double" height container may be provided for carrying larger objects or loads, which is twice the height of another container. In the context of the embodiment described above, the "double" height container would be 1200 mm high, such that the body of the container is cube-shaped.

s Of course, extra care may need to be taken when using containers of different height, since these may have different capacities and therefore fully loaded weights. Each container should be designed to support and suspend a load sufficient to enable stacking in the desired combination and number of containers. Preferably, each container is designed to be strong enough that it can be positioned anywhere in the stack. This enables greater flexibility, when choosing the order of stacking.

In the embodiment described above, the walls of the container body 110 were solid metal walls. However, this is not essential. The walls can be formed partially or wholly of mesh (for example, wire mesh). Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the walls may comprise a hinged door or gate. The hinges may provide a horizontal axis of rotation or a vertical axis of rotation.

In the embodiment described above, the box that forms the body of the container is open at the top. However, in some other embodiments, a lid may be provided.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practising the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stackable container for a modular storage and transportation system, comprising: a body; a plurality of upper connectors at an upper side of the body, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked above it; and a plurality of lower connectors at a lower side of the body, adapted to connect the container with an identical container stacked below it, wherein the body is adapted to support the weight of a loaded identical container stacked above the container or suspended below it, the lower connectors are adapted to support the weight of a loaded identical container suspended below the container, and the upper connectors are adapted to suspend the container, when loaded, with a loaded identical container suspended below it.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feet projecting from the lower side of the body, wherein the lower connectors are provided on the feet, and the upper connectors are adapted to engage with the feet of an identical container stacked above.
3. The container of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a plurality of upstanding posts projecting from the upper side of the body, wherein the upper connectors comprise the posts, and the lower connectors are adapted to engage with the upstanding posts of an identical container stacked below.
4. The container of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein: each lower connector comprises a female part; and each upper connector comprises a male part adapted to engage with the female part of an identical container stacked above.
5. The container of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein: s each upper connector comprises a female part; and each lower connector comprises a male part adapted to engage with the female part of an identical container stacked below.
6. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises corners and the upper and lower connectors are provided at the corners.
7. The container of any preceding claim, further comprising locking means adapted to lock together each upper connector with a respective lower connector when two containers are stacked.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein each upper connector and respective lower connector has an aperture and the locking means comprises a pin adapted to be inserted through the apertures on both connectors.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the pin comprises a securing means, adapted to resist retraction of the pin, after the pin is inserted through the apertures.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the securing means comprises a securing member pivotally connected to the pin, having a first configuration in which it can pass through the apertures and a second configuration in which it cannot pass through the apertures.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the securing member is asymmetrically connected to the pin, whereby it can rotate, under force of gravity, into the second configuration.
12. The container of any preceding claim, further comprising fork-lift pockets at the lower side of the body, for receiving the prongs of a fork-lift.
13. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the body of the container s comprises a box.
14. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the body has a substantially cuboidal shape.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the body has a substantially square base.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the side of the square has a length in the range 500 mm to 2000 mm.
17. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the height of the body is in the range 200 mm to 2000 mm.
18. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container is adapted to carry a load of at least 200 kg.
19. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container is adapted to carry a load of not more than 10000 kg.
20. A kit of parts comprising: a container as claimed in any preceding claim; and a wheeled trolley having a plurality of connectors adapted to connect with the lower connectors of the container, for bearing the container.
21. A kit of parts comprising: a container as claimed in any preceding claim; and a lifting frame having a plurality of connectors adapted to connect with the upper connectors of the container, for lifting the container.
22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the lifting frame comprises a swivel eye, for engagement with a hook of a lifting apparatus.
23. A stackable container, lifting frame, or wheeled trolley for a modular storage and transportation system substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.