NZ793107A - A transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

support structure for use in a transport system to transport one or more items. The support structure comprises a bottom cleat to support the items being transported and a pair of side cleats connected to opposite ends of the bottom cleat. The pair of side cleats configured to constrain movement of the items being transported. The length of the side cleats is adjustable. The side cleats are pivotably connected to the bottom cleat. The transport system comprises a plurality of support structures and at least one base member connected to each bottom cleat. The transport system comprises a liner with a base panel and two side panels. f the items being transported. The length of the side cleats is adjustable. The side cleats are pivotably connected to the bottom cleat. The transport system comprises a plurality of support structures and at least one base member connected to each bottom cleat. The transport system comprises a liner with a base panel and two side panels.

Claims (29)

1. A support structure for use in a transport system to transport one or more items, the support structure comprising: a bottom cleat to support the one or more items being transported; and 5 a pair of side cleats connected to opposite ends of the bottom cleat, the pair of side cleats configured to constrain movement of the one or more items being transported; wherein the length of the side cleats is adjustable.

2. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the side cleats comprise a first portion 10 slideably engaged to a second portion.

3. The support structure according to claim 2, wherein the first portion of the side cleat is hollow and at least a part of the second portion of the side cleat is positioned within the first portion.

4. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the second portion telescopes with respect to the first portion to change the length of the side cleat.

5. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second portion can 20 be secured in a plurality of positions relative to the first portion.

6. The support structure according to claim 5, wherein a length of the side cleat is different in each of the plurality of positions. 25

7. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first portion comprises at least one aperture and the second portion comprises a plurality of apertures.

8. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second portion comprises at least one aperture and the first portion comprises a plurality of apertures.

9. The support structure according to any one of claims 7 to 8, when dependent on claim 5, wherein in each of the plurality of positions, one of the apertures of the first portion and James & Wells ref: 317256 one of the apertures of the second portion align and a removable clip through the apertures secures the first portion and the second portion together.

10. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first portion is fixed 5 at one end to the bottom cleat.

11. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the first portion is fixed to the bottom cleat via a pivotable connection. 10

12. The support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the second portion comprises a U-shaped cut-out at a region furthest from the connection of the side cleat to the bottom cleat.

13. The support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the side cleats 15 is pivotably connected to the bottom cleat.

14. The support structure according to claim 13, wherein the side cleats are pivotably connected to the bottom cleat via a rotatable pin connection. 20

15. The support structure according to claim 14, wherein the pin is moveable between a locked and unlocked position, and wherein when the pin is in the unlocked position the side cleat is able to rotate with respect to the bottom cleat.

16. The support structure according to claim 15, wherein in the unlocked position the side cleat 25 can rotate between a position where longitudinal axes of the side cleat and the bottom cleat are parallel and a position where the longitudinal axes of the side cleat and the bottom cleat are perpendicular.

17. The support structure according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the pin moves into 30 the locked position when the side cleat is rotated 90° from the bottom cleat and in the locked position the side cleat is unable to rotate with respect to the bottom cleat. James & Wells ref: 317256

18. The support member of claim any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the bottom cleat comprises a slot through which the pin extends and is secured, and wherein the pin moves along the slot between the locked and unlocked positions. 5

19. The support member of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the bottom cleat comprises a cavity configured to receive the side cleat in the locked position such that at least one side wall of the cavity abuts a side of the side cleat thereby preventing rotation of the side cleat.

20. A transport system for use in transporting one or more items, the transport system 10 comprising: at least two support structures according to any one of claims 1 to 19; and at least one base member connected to each bottom cleat.

21. The transport system according to claim 20, wherein the base member is elongate.

22. The transport system according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the base member fits through an opening in each bottom cleat.

23. The transport system according to claim 22, wherein each opening comprises an end stop 20 such that the base member only protrudes from one side of each bottom cleat.

24. The transport system according to claim 22, wherein each opening extends between opposite sides of the bottom cleat such that the base member protrudes from both sides of the bottom cleat.

25. The transport system according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the transport system further comprises at least one side member connected to adjacent side cleats to aid in securing the one or more items. 30 26. The transport system according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the transport system further comprises a liner, the liner comprising:

26.James & Wells ref: 317256 a base panel configured to lie on top of the base members and/or bottom cleats; two side panels extending perpendicularly from longitudinal edges of the base panel.

27. The transport system according to claim 26, wherein the liner may further comprise two flexible top panels each connected to the longitudinal edges of the two respective side panels opposite the connection to the base panel. 10

28. The transport system according to any one of claims 26 to 27, wherein the liner is formed from a durable and waterproof material such that it is suitable for multiple uses.

29. The transport system according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the top panels comprise a soft padding configured to contact the one or more items in use.