GB2564411A

GB2564411A - Containerised system with modules

Info

Publication number: GB2564411A
Application number: GB1710917.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jones Ray
Original assignee: HTL Group Ltd
Current assignee: HTL Group Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-06
Filing date: 2017-07-06
Publication date: 2019-01-16
Also published as: GB201710917D0

Abstract

A containerised system comprising a container 1 and at least one module 2 adapted for installation into and removal from a container. Module 2 comprises side walls and a base, at least two support members (4, figure 2), and brace members (3, figure 2), configured to brace the module relative to the side walls of the container. The support members may be retractable castor wheels (4d, figure 2) mounted on a jack. The module may comprise pockets (5, figure 3) for lifting by a fork-lift. The module may be fitted out as a workshop (figures 4 and 5) containing benches, tools, hoists, cranes, shelving, racking, a power supply and sockets. The module may have a roof comprising a flexible sheet 2e that may be removable.

Description

Containerised System with Modules

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a containerised system and in particular such a system that comprises modules which are adapted for ease of handling.

Background of the Invention

Containers are used widely fro the transportation of goods around the world to the extent that handling systems have been developed and widely deployed for moving such containers.

Containers are also used for other purposes. For example, they are often used in place of permanent buildings for storing goods, as shelters for workers or as temporary workshops or semi- mobile workshops.

When configured as a workshop the inner walls of the container will have shelving or racking for the storage of tools and requisites, and will typically have a one or more work benches and a number of tools installed therein. However, this means that once fitted out the use of the container is determined by how it is fitted out. Also, using some of the facilities provided in such containerised workshops requires mechanics to work in cramped spaces.

It would be desirable to provide an improved containerised transport system.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a containerised system comprising: a container having side walls and a floor; at least one module comprising side walls and a base and adapted for installation into and removal from the container; wherein each module includes at least two support members configured to support said module relative to the floor of the container and a plurality of brace members configured to brace the said module relative to the side walls of the container.

Preferably, the at least one support member comprises a wheel. The wheel may be a castor wheel.

Preferably, the wheel is mounted on the module such that the wheel may move between an extended position in which the wheel engages with the floor of the container with the base of the module clear of the floor of the container and a retracted position where the base of the module sits on the floor of the container. The wheel may be mounted on a jack.

The base may comprise a hole for each wheel, the wheel moving at least partially though the hole when moving between the retracted and extended configurations.

Each brace member may comprise a bracket attached to a side wall of the module, and an engagement member for engagement with a side wall of the container and a means to move the engagement member between retracted and extended configurations, the engagement member engaging with the side wall of the container in the extended configuration and being clear of the side wall of the container in the retracted configuration. The engagement member may be a plate.

The means to move the engagement member between the retracted and extended configurations may comprise an elongate threaded element co-operating with a threaded component attached to the bracket.

The module may comprise lifting means. The lifting means may comprise pockets for engagement by forks of a lifting device. The module may comprise a plurality of lifting means to permit the module to be lifted from different positions of a lifting device relative to the module. For example, pockets for engagement by forks of a lifting device may be provided on sides of the module which are perpendicular to one another.

The side walls of the module may comprise a plurality of spaced apart frame members.

The side walls may include material attached to the space apart frame members to form a continuous wall. For example, sheet material such as metal sheet, timber sheet or plastic sheet may be attached to the frame members.

The module may comprise an end wall, which may be of similar construction to the side walls.

The floor and ceiling may comprise spaced apart frame members. The floor may include material attached to the spaced apart frame members to form a continuous wall. For example, sheet material such as metal sheet, timber sheet or plastic sheet may be attached to the frame members.

The module may be provided with a roof. The roof may comprise spaced apart frame members. The roof may further comprise a flexible sheet, which may be removable.

The module may include shelving and/or racking.

The module may have mounted therein work benches, tools, hoists, cranes, test equipment and the like.

The container and/or the module may comprise a power supply such as a generator or be connectable to a power supply and the module may include power distribution calling and sockets.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the Drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and which are by way of example:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a containerised transport system illustrating one module;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a module;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the module illustrated in Figure 2 in a different configuration;

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an equipped module;

Figure 5a is an end view of an alternatively equipped module;

Figure 5b is a cross-sectional elevation on the axis A-A of Figure 5a;

Figure 5c is a plan view of the module illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b; and

Figure 5d is a detail view of part of the cross-sectional elevation shown in Figure 5b.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a container 1 and a module 2. The container 1 is a standard shipping container, which come in a variety of standard lengths, typically 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet and 40 feet. The size of modules 2 can be designed to suit the size of container, or preferably the number of modules is adjusted to the size of the container. The container 1 is typical construction and includes lifting points 1a in its base in addition to lifting point 1b at the top corners of the container 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, the module 2 comprises comprises a frame forming walls, a floor and a ceiling. The side walls are made up of spaced apart upright frame members 2a to which a plate 2c is attached. The plate 2c may be any suitable material, for example metal sheet, plastic sheet, timber sheet. The plate 2c may be a flexible material. The floor and the ceiling are made up of spaced apart horizontal frame members 2b. The floor comprises a plate 2d attached to the frame members 2b to provide a surface on which items may stand and people may walk. In the illustrated example the frame members 2b of the ceiling do not have a plate attached to them.

Instead they are provided with a removable cover 2e (shown in Figures 1 and 5a - 5c). The cover 2e is a flexible sheet material which may be rolled up as shown in Figure 1 so that the ceiling of the module 2 is open.

The plate 2d of the floor includes openings 2e. As is best shown in Figure 3, these openings 2e align with castor wheel assemblies 4. A castor wheel assembly 4 includes a jack which comprises a bracket 4a which is attached to one of the plates 2c and/or and upright frame member 2b and an internally threaded tube 4b which is attached to the bracket 4a. An externally threaded rod 4c is mounted inside the tube 4b. A castor wheel 4d is mounted on the free end of the threaded rod 4c. A hexagonal head 4c’ is attached to the upper end of the threaded rod 4c. It is preferred that the castor wheel 4d may rotate about the vertical axis of the threaded rod 4c, although this is not essential. By engaging the hexagonal head 4c’ with a suitable tool the threaded rod 4c may be rotated one way or the other to raise or lower the castor wheel 4d. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, when the castor wheels are lowered so that they engage a surface beneath them, continuing to turn the threaded rod 4c will result in the module being raised up. Similarly, rotating the threaded rod in the opposite direction will result in the castor wheels 4d being retracted so that the lower frame members 2b rest on a surface.

With the castor wheels lowered the whole module 2 may be wheeled about and put in a desired location.

The module 2 is provided with additional lifting means in the form of fork pockets 5, 5a.

Two sets of fork pockets are provided, one set of two pockets 5 on the long side of the module 2 to the underside of the floor plate 2d and the other set at 90 degrees thereto. The set of fork pockets 5a are formed by holes in the horizontal frame members 2b. The fork pockets may be engaged by the forks of a fork lift device such as a fork lift truck, so that the whole module 2 may then be lifted and moved to a desired location.

The module further includes brace assemblies 3 located on the vertical sides of the module 2. Each brace assembly 3 comprises a threaded rod 3a which mounts a wall engagement plate 3b at one end thereof. The other end of the threaded rod 3a has a hexagonal head 3c attached thereto. Between the plate 3b and the hexagonal head 3c a bracket 3d is mounted. The bracket 3d is threaded internally, those threads engaging with the threads of the rod 3a. The bracket 3d is attached to the wall plate 2c. When the threaded rod 3a, by engaging the hexagonal head with a suitable tool, the plate 3b moves either towards or away from the wall plate 2c depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded rod 3a. With the module 2 located in the container 1, by rotating the rod 3a in the correct direction the plate 3b may be moved until it engages the inner surface of the wall of the container 1. Repeating this at each of the four brace assemblies 3 fixes the position of the module 2 in the container 1. When it is desired to move the module 2 the threaded rods 3a are rotated in an opposite direction until there is a suitable clearance between the inner surface of the container wall and the outer surface of end plate 3b to allow the module to be moved relative to the container.

Modules 2 may be equipped with any desirable set of tools or equipment. The module 2 illustrated in Figure 4 is configured as a working area and is provided with hoist assemblies 10, 11 and a work bench 12. The hoist 10 is located at the open end of the module and comprises a swing arm 10 mount on a bracket 10b, which is attached to an upright frame member 2a. A hoist 10c is attached to the free end of the swing arm 10a and is provided with a hook 10d on the end of of a chain 10e.

The hoist assembly 11 is mounted on a cross beam 11a by means of a slider 11c, the hoist 11 d, which is of similar design to the hoist 10d, hangs from the slider 11 c. The beam 11 a is supported by A-frames 11b. As can be seen from Figure 4, the A frame 11 b comprises side members 11b’ joined together by cross members 11 e. The A-frames 11 b are supported on wheels 11 f. The whole hoist assembly may therefore be moved back and forth along the length of the module 2, and the hoist itself may be moved side to side across the module 2 on the beam 11a by means of the slider 11c.

Figures 5a to 5d illustrate a module 2 configured for storage of tools 21 -24.

One advantage of the invention over containerised workshops of the prior art is that the modules may be removed from the container 1 to a larger space, so that whilst a mechanic may still need to work within the confines of the module 2, the module may be situated within a space much larger than that afforded by a container 1. The modules when removed from the container may be position relative to one another so that using the equipment provided in the modules is convenient. Also, by providing a retractable cover 2e, the module may be opened to natural light.

Another advantage of the invention over containerised workshops of the prior art is that when there is a requirement for a containerised workshop the tools, equipment and requisites may be matched to the requirement by selecting appropriate modules, which may be different for different requirements. Hence, by using modules more appropriately equipped containerised workshops may be provided and fewer containers will be necessary.

Another advantage of the invention over containerised workshops of the prior art is that equipment may be maintained by removing the module housing the equipment requiring repair from the container and replacing the removed module. If a hoist were out of action in a containerised workshop of the prior art then the whole containerised workshop would be out of action, whereas the containerised system of the present invention would require only one module to be changed.

Another advantage of the containerised system of the present invention is that it may not be necessary to own a stock of containers since no alterations are made to the containers.

The containerised system of the invention simplifies greatly the provision of off site workshops.

Claims

Claims
1. A containerised system comprising: a container having side walls and a floor; at least one module comprising side walls and a base and adapted for installation into and removal from the container; wherein each module includes at least two support members configured to support said module relative to the floor of the container and a plurality of brace members configured to brace the said module relative to the side walls of the container.