US20140042044A1 - Convertible container - Google Patents

Convertible container Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140042044A1
US20140042044A1 US13/983,146 US201213983146A US2014042044A1 US 20140042044 A1 US20140042044 A1 US 20140042044A1 US 201213983146 A US201213983146 A US 201213983146A US 2014042044 A1 US2014042044 A1 US 2014042044A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
deployed configuration
box
container according
boxes
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/983,146
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English (en)
Inventor
Georges-Paul Deschamps
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deschamps SARL
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Deschamps SARL
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deschamps SARL filed Critical Deschamps SARL
Assigned to ETS A. DESCHAMPS ET FILS reassignment ETS A. DESCHAMPS ET FILS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DESCHAMPS, GEORGES-PAUL
Publication of US20140042044A1 publication Critical patent/US20140042044A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/52—Large containers collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
    • B60F3/00—Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water
    • B60F3/0061—Amphibious vehicles specially adapted for particular purposes or of a particular type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/34—Pontoons
    • B63B35/36—Pontoons foldable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
    • B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
    • B63B7/08—Inflatable
    • B63B7/082—Inflatable having parts of rigid material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C13/00—Equipment forming part of or attachable to vessels facilitating transport over land
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
    • E01D15/00—Movable or portable bridges; Floating bridges
    • E01D15/14—Floating bridges, e.g. pontoon bridges
    • E01D15/20—Floating bridges, e.g. pontoon bridges collapsible, expandable, inflatable or the like with main load supporting structure consisting only of non-rigid members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
    • B63B2007/003—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels with foldable members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2221/00—Methods and means for joining members or elements
    • B63B2221/20—Joining substantially rigid elements together by means that allow one or more degrees of freedom, e.g. hinges, articulations, pivots, universal joints, telescoping joints, elastic expansion joints, not otherwise provided for in this class
    • B63B2221/22—Joining substantially rigid elements together by means that allow one or more degrees of freedom, e.g. hinges, articulations, pivots, universal joints, telescoping joints, elastic expansion joints, not otherwise provided for in this class by means that allow one or more degrees of angular freedom, e.g. hinges, articulations, pivots, universal joints, not otherwise provided for in this class
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2241/00—Design characteristics
    • B63B2241/02—Design characterised by particular shapes
    • B63B2241/10—Design characterised by particular shapes by particular three dimensional shapes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2241/00—Design characteristics
    • B63B2241/20—Designs or arrangements for particular purposes not otherwise provided for in this class
    • B63B2241/24—Designs or arrangements for particular purposes not otherwise provided for in this class for facilitating transport, e.g. hull shape with limited dimensions

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a convertible container which in its non-deployed configuration can be picked up, manipulated or secured like any transport container and which in its deployed configuration forms an autonomous floating structure.
  • Floating containers (“conteneurs”) are known which when they are secured to each other enable a boat to be formed for fighting an accidental oil spill at sea, in rivers or lakes. These containers advantageously allow very rapid routing of means for fighting oil slicks by aircraft or by ship. In the latter case, and when the ship that has caused the accidental oil spill is a container ship, these floating maritime containers may already be on board.
  • this type of boat necessitates a plurality of different containers each having a specific function and the whole being indispensable to the formation and correct operation of the boat.
  • the time necessary for assembling the various containers constituting the boat is particularly long, arduous and even impossible when the sea is rough, whereas the intervention of the fighting means must be as rapid as possible to circumscribe as soon as possible the area contaminated by the oil.
  • the latter may be used for disembarking the equipment and/or goods onboard the ship. Conversely, they may further be used for loading the ship.
  • these amphibious vehicles may then shuttle between the land and the ship.
  • the amphibious vehicles should finally be loadable onboard these ships with conventional harbour infrastructures and consequently without necessitating recourse to dedicated installations.
  • the objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a floating transport device of simple design and mode of use, having the dimensions of a container for transporting goods in a non-deployed configuration, including fittings for holding, handling and fixing this device with standard harbour installations, for example, and forming a boat in its deployed configuration.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating transport device of this kind which from a given longitudinal dimension and a given transverse dimension in its non-deployed configuration, i.e. those of a container, has an increased deck area in order significantly to increase the loading capacity of the boat and a maximized hull volume in order to have the best possible buoyancy in its deployed configuration.
  • the transport device comprises, the greater its weight and its complexity.
  • this transport device in its non-deployed configuration, i.e. in its container configuration, are therefore advantageously small, allowing its transport by truck, ship or cargo aircraft.
  • Another imperative for a container of this kind, as in all containers for transporting goods, is then to have all of its structural components contained within, and consequently not projecting from, the parallelepiped defined by the free walls of this container so that a plurality of such containers can be stacked and/or juxtaposed.
  • the present invention aims to maximize the longitudinal and/or transverse dimensions of the boat obtained by expansion of a transport container having ISO standard dimensions whilst assuring good buoyancy of this boat.
  • a further object of the present invention is a self-propelled amphibious vehicle that can be transported by sea or air, being loadable and unloadable very easily.
  • the invention concerns a container including fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container, each of these fittings being placed at one corner of this container in a non-deployed configuration of the container.
  • the consequence of the maximization of the length, respectively the width, of the floating structure is improvement of the degree of speed of the hull, respectively increase of the metacentric radius (and therefore the initial stability), operative to the power of two for the length (reduced Froude number), respectively to the power of three for the width (increased buoyancy transverse inertia).
  • the fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container are also known as corner fittings enabling holding, securing and transhipment of the container.
  • At least part of the central box and the extension units is watertight so that at least part of the hull is watertight.
  • the extension units can thus each be constituted of a single box.
  • one of the extension units can include a single box forming an end box intended to be moved along the longitudinal axis of the central box while the other extension unit is to the contrary constituted of two box advantageously placed one against the other in the non-deployed configuration of the container, these boxes being intended to be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the central box.
  • the hull of said floating structure has a longitudinal dimension from the prow to the poop greater than twice the longitudinal dimension of the central box.
  • the extension units are advantageously connected in an articulated manner to the central box by a hinge.
  • This hinge is preferably a hinge with two axes.
  • This hinge with two axes also known as a biaxial hinge, includes two articulated parts that are connected to an intermediate part carrying the two offset hinge pins.
  • these actuators are preferably motorized hinges or hinges including means for opening and closing said hinges.
  • these means for opening and closing said hinges include, for example, rotary actuators fed by a source of electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power.
  • This power source and its distribution circuit are preferably placed in the central box or one of the extension units of the container.
  • the means for opening and closing the hinges may be remotely sited, and thus not integrated into the hinges themselves.
  • they may be linear actuators or a cable system or an external crane.
  • extension units may therefore have a triangular or truncated triangular profile.
  • this parallelepiped may not be solid when the extension units have a truncated triangular profile, for example. It is in this sense that the free walls then define substantially a parallelepiped.
  • the triangular shape of the mobile boxes ensures that there is no preferential direction of movement of the floating structure, which is then advantageously double-ended.
  • This first extension box is a right-angle triangle truncated or not while the other extension box has its side forming one end of the container in its non-deployed configuration that is inclined towards the interior of the container.
  • This propulsion system preferably allows at least movement of the floating structure in a direction transverse or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the floating structure.
  • inflatable elements are advantageously received in housings provided for this purpose in the lateral edges of this container. Accordingly, in an emergency, the container may pass from its deployed configuration to its non-deployed configuration without having to deflate these inflatable elements.
  • these inflatable elements may be deployed from housings placed in the bottom of the central box and/or the extension units, the inflatable elements then being placed under these elements when they are deployed.
  • These inflatable elements are preferably sized to ensure the stability and buoyancy of the floating structure.
  • the container preferably includes a feeder circuit for inflating these inflatable elements independently or otherwise from a power source, for example a pneumatic power source.
  • a power source for example a pneumatic power source.
  • these inflatable elements are inflatable pudding fenders.
  • This power source may be placed in one of the boxes, for example.
  • the inflation pressure of the inflatable elements is controlled and adjusted thanks to servocontrol of the power source by probes such as pressure sensors verifying the pressure to which each inflatable element is inflated.
  • these ramps may not be integrated into the volume of the extension unit, but be demountable to be stored inside the extension units and/or the central box.
  • This container preferably includes at least two wheels, retractable or not, per extension unit.
  • the central box can include at least one pair or wheels, retractable or not, for movement of the container in its non-deployed configuration by road.
  • At least two of the wheels of the container are advantageously steerable. Moreover, at least two of said wheels are preferably driving wheels.
  • This container then forms an amphibious vehicle in its deployed configuration.
  • These locking means may comprise locks designed to cooperate with two or more fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container placed face-to-face. They therefore enable fastening of the extension units and the central box in the deployed configuration of the container.
  • these locks may be rotary double locks (also known as “twist-locks”), mounted tips facing, and disposed between two holding fittings placed face-to-face and put into place before complete expansion of the container.
  • the locking means may include attachments such as pins or bolted fixing lugs.
  • the container may be self-lockable in its deployed configuration, the self-locking being ensured by the force resulting from the expansion actuators.
  • the self-locking may be ensured by load maintaining valves on the hydraulic actuators for expanding the container.
  • the container includes one or more probes connected to a hydraulic power circuit, for example, for feeding the hinges and assuring their movement from their open position to their closed position.
  • These probes detecting the presence of the container in the water, ensure its good stability and, in the affirmative, send a message to the hydraulic power source to feed the hinges to activate them. Their activation causes the container to pass from its non-deployed configuration to its deployed configuration.
  • the container includes at least one receiver, or transmitter/receiver, connected to a control unit, the latter controlling activation of the hydraulic source to feed the hinges and activate them.
  • the invention also concerns a floating craft including at least two containers as described above in their deployed configuration, these containers being connected to each other to form a unitary floating structure.
  • These containers in their deployed configuration can be assembled end-to-end and/or edge-to-edge.
  • FIG. 1 represents diagrammatically a perspective view of a container According to a first embodiment of the invention in its non-deployed configuration
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the container from FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 represents diagrammatically the container from FIG. 1 in its deployed configuration
  • FIG. 4 is a partial view to a larger scale of the connection between the central box and one of the end boxes of the container from FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a partial view to a larger scale of the connection between the central box and one of the end boxes of the container from FIG. 1 , abutments being in place;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of a container According to a second embodiment, this container being in its deployed configuration, the inflatable elements for improving the buoyancy of the floating structure also being deployed;
  • FIG. 7 represents diagrammatically a floating craft including six containers in their deployed configuration, these containers being connected to each other to form a unitary floating structure;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of the floating structure from FIG. 6 in its deployed configuration, the retractable wheels being visible;
  • FIG. 9 represents diagrammatically a perspective view of a container According to a third embodiment of the invention in its non-deployed configuration
  • FIG. 10 represents diagrammatically the container from FIG. 9 in its deployed configuration
  • FIG. 11 represents diagrammatically a perspective view of a container According to a fourth embodiment of the invention in its non-deployed configuration
  • FIG. 12 represents diagrammatically the container from FIG. 11 in its deployed configuration
  • FIG. 13 represents diagrammatically a perspective view of a container According to a fifth embodiment of the invention in its non-deployed configuration
  • FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the container from FIG. 13 ;
  • FIG. 15 represents diagrammatically the container form FIG. 13 in the process of expansion
  • FIG. 16 represents diagrammatically the container from FIG. 13 in its deployed configuration.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and perspective views of a convertible container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its non-deployed configuration.
  • This container is constituted only of a central box 1 having a longitudinal dimension and at the ends of which are placed extension units 2 , 3 that are connected to the central box 1 by biaxial hinges 4 - 7 .
  • Each extension unit 2 , 3 is constituted of a single box, also referred to as an end box hereinafter, which is connected in an articulated manner to the central box 1 by a pair of biaxial hinges 4 - 7 .
  • hinges 4 - 7 include rotary hydraulic actuators.
  • the container therefore includes a hydraulic power source and a circuit for distribution of this hydraulic fluid (not represented) for feeding the various hinges 4 - 7 and thus enabling opening and closing thereof.
  • the container is consequently perfectly autonomous.
  • the end boxes 2 , 3 which have a truncated triangular profile, are placed in part one on the other, being superposed on the central box 1 .
  • Each end box 2 , 3 has a length greater than half the longitudinal dimension of the central box 1 .
  • At least one of these boxes 1 - 3 is advantageously hollow to receive loads and/or equipment or devices necessary for the correct operation of the container.
  • Each box 1 - 3 which is watertight, forms a floating box.
  • the free exterior walls of the end boxes 2 , 3 and the central box 1 substantially define a right-angle parallelepiped. No structural element of the container is placed projecting from this parallelepiped so that this container can be stacked on and/or placed against other containers with a view to its storage or transport.
  • this right-angle parallelepiped has dimensions equal to those of an ISO 20-foot maritime transport container so that it can advantageously be picked up, transported, manipulated, transhipped or secured like any ISO standard container without necessitating any specific infrastructure or equipment.
  • This container includes, at each of its corners, a fitting 8 for holding, handling and fixing the container. It therefore includes eight fittings 8 that are placed at the extreme corners of the container in its non-deployed configuration.
  • the activation of the biaxial hinges 4 - 7 ensures the passage from the non-deployed configuration of the container to its deployed configuration.
  • the end boxes 2 , 3 form longitudinal extensions of the central box 1 , said assembly expanded in this way then forming a floating structure the hull of which has a longitudinal dimension greater than twice the longitudinal dimension of this central box 1 .
  • first end box 2 effects a rotation of 180° between the non-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration of the container
  • the other end box 3 effects a rotation of less than 180°, here equal to approximately 167°, between these two configurations.
  • the end wall 9 of the central box 1 intended to placed against the end box 3 in the deployed configuration of the container has an inclined shape complementary to the inclined face 10 of this end box 3 coming into contact, so that the angle formed between these two inclined walls 9 , 10 is equal to the value of the angle of rotation.
  • Each box 1 - 3 has aluminium walls forming its watertight exterior envelope.
  • Each box 1 - 3 formed in this way is structured by a longitudinal and transverse network of stiffeners designed to withstand the local forces and the overall forces to which the container is subjected as much in the non-deployed configuration as in the deployed configuration.
  • Each of these boxes 1 - 3 therefore forms a load-bearing structure able to receive heavy loads such as a hut, vehicles (truck, etc.), equipment and/or personnel.
  • the triangular shape of the end boxes 2 , 3 moreover ensures good bearing of loads by the central box 1 allowing the use of the ends, or tips, of these boxes 2 , 3 to carry loads.
  • the loading area of the load-bearing structure is therefore significantly increased, which is advantageous.
  • the biaxial hinges 4 - 7 are sized to withstand high loads as much in the deployed configuration, i.e. in the floating structure configuration, as in the non-deployed configuration, i.e. in the container configuration.
  • these boxes 1 - 3 could be made of steel, stainless steel, copper-nickel alloy, polymer or more generally composite materials.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show a partial view to a larger scale of the container in its deployed configuration in which it forms a floating structure.
  • the biaxial hinges 4 , 7 are received in housing 11 provided for this purpose in the structure of the boxes 1 - 3 so that their upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the boxes 1 - 3 defining the deck of the floating structure.
  • the deck of the floating structure is plane which guarantees the stability of goods, equipment and/or vehicles received on the deck of the floating structure.
  • Each hinge with two axes 4 - 7 also called a biaxial hinge, includes two fixed parts 12 , 13 , each attached to a box 1 , 3 or forming an integral part thereof and supporting one of the two hinge pins 14 , 15 of this hinge. These two hinge pins are connected by one or more links 16 , 17 assuring the offsetting of the hinge pins 14 , 15 .
  • Abutments 18 limit the relative movement of the hinge when it reaches one of its two extreme positions (open or closed). In these two positions, no element of said hinge projects from the faces of the container, respectively the boat, left visible.
  • the fixed frame elements preferably include an actuator coaxial with the hinge pins 14 , 15 such as a rotary actuator, gear-motor, etc., in order to allow opening and closing of the container without other exterior action. It may equally be a question of a drive such as a chain or belt, in order to be able to site the actuator remotely.
  • the container includes a propulsion system (not shown) so that this floating structure is self-propelled.
  • This propulsion system preferably includes at least one jet propulsion unit such as a pump jet in which the water jet expelled by the nozzle can be oriented to ensure propulsion and steering of the floating structure in varied directions.
  • this propulsion system may be of the propeller or paddle-wheel type.
  • This propulsion system is preferably placed in the central box 1 of the container and/or in the end boxes 2 , 3 .
  • the appendages of this propulsion system are advantageously foldable by rotation, translation or demounting to enable not only conformance with the ISO container load gauge but also to ensure folding of the floating structure in an emergency.
  • the floating structure is adapted to be moved in either longitudinal direction (double-ended) and also transversely to the longitudinal axis of the floating structure in both directions.
  • FIGS. 6 and 8 show perspective views of a container According to a second embodiment, this container being in its deployed configuration and forming a boat.
  • the elements from FIGS. 6 and 8 bearing the same references as elements from FIGS. 1 to 5 represent the same objects which will therefore not be described again hereinafter.
  • This boat includes inflatable pudding fenders 19 , here shown deployed, for improving its buoyancy and its stability.
  • inflatable pudding fenders 19 are made from a watertight and strong plastic material such as rubber.
  • these inflatable elements 19 which may have half-cone shapes, are advantageously produced in one piece so as to increase their mechanical strength.
  • Each inflatable element 19 is then a woven structure produced from a single material which is then coated with a watertight material such as a material based on polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane or even better a material based on plasticized fireproofed PVC.
  • PVC polyvinylchloride
  • This one-piece woven structure can be produced by a weaving process developed by the present applicant.
  • this woven structure includes at least two woven walls connected to each other by at least one non-attached binding thread.
  • the variation of the length between two consecutive sinkers of said at least one binding thread, each of said sinkers corresponding to a riser by a weft thread of a different wall, is continuous over at least part of said structure in the warp and/or weft direction.
  • the end boxes of this container each include retractable wheels 20 , 21 that can be seen in FIG. 8 .
  • the pair of wheels 20 of the end box 2 placed in the non-deployed configuration of the container, between the central box 1 and the other end box 3 , are advantageously positioned so as to allow folding of the container in an emergency even if these wheels 20 are not retractable.
  • the truncated triangular shape of the end boxes 2 , 3 leaves a space allowing the passage of non-retractable wheels 20 whilst enabling compliance with the ISO container load gauge.
  • these wheels 20 , 21 are steerable and equipped with a braking system.
  • the container may include only two wheels, retractable or not, that are not motorized. By adding a tractor or pusher vehicle, the container is therefore used as a single-axle trailer. This type of configuration may notably be used to launch the craft (or to remove it from the water), or again to manipulate it in an open area or a storage area.
  • FIG. 7 represents diagrammatically a floating craft including six containers in their deployed configuration these containers being connected to each other to form a unitary floating structure.
  • floating structures of large size are obtained simply by the addition in the lengthwise and/or widthwise direction of other floating structures.
  • locking elements (not shown) enable all these floating structures to be fastened to each other in order to constitute such a unitary floating structure.
  • These locking elements are for example locks designed to cooperate with fittings for holding, handling and fixing facing containers.
  • these locking elements may include bolted fastenings, attachments such as pins or shafts.
  • Using flexible connections, such as straps, rubber collars, braces, etc may also be envisaged.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 show perspective views of a container According to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the elements from FIGS. 9 and 10 bearing the same references as elements from FIGS. 1 to 5 represent the same objects which will therefore not be described again hereinafter.
  • the container from FIGS. 9 and 10 differs from that from FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the end boxes 2 , 3 have a width, or transverse dimension, greater than the half the width, or transverse dimension, of the central box 1 .
  • the floating structure In the deployed configuration of the container, the floating structure has a deck area increased in the widthwise direction of the central box 1 .
  • the biaxial hinges 4 - 7 are disposed on the lateral edges of the central box 1 . These biaxial hinges 4 - 7 are received in housings 11 provided for this purpose in the lateral edges 22 , 23 of the central box 1 .
  • one of the lateral edges 22 of the central box 1 is inclined toward the interior of this central box 1 while the wall 24 of the end box 3 adapted to be placed against this lateral edge 22 has an inclined shape complementary to this inclined lateral edge 22 of the central box 1 so that the angle formed between these two inclined walls 22 , 24 is equal to the value of the angle of rotation of the end box 3 relative to the central box 1 , here of the order of 167°.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 show perspective views of a container According to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • the elements from FIGS. 11 and 12 bearing the same references as elements from FIGS. 1 to 5 represent the same objects which will therefore not be described again hereinafter.
  • the container from FIGS. 11 and 12 differs from that from FIGS. 1 to 5 in that one of the end boxes 2 , 3 includes ramps 25 , 26 that are integrated into the volume of this box.
  • these ramps 25 , 26 are received in the non-deployed configuration of the container in a housing 27 of the corresponding end box 3 so that the exterior surface of these ramps 25 , 26 is flush with the surface of the free wall 28 of this end box 3 to conform to the load gauge of the container.
  • These ramps 25 , 26 are mounted to rotate about a shaft 29 so that they can be deployed by rotation into the deployed configuration of the container to increase the size of the deck of the floating structure.
  • FIGS. 13 to 16 show a convertible container according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • Each extension unit 30 , 31 is constituted of a single end box the dimensions of which are equal to those of the central box 32 , these boxes 30 - 32 being superposed on each other in the non-deployed configuration of the container, forming a stack of boxes.
  • These boxes 30 - 32 are moreover articulated relative to each other so that two consecutive boxes are connected to each other by at least two connecting arms 33 - 38 mounted on the same lateral edges of these boxes, one of these connecting arms 34 , 37 being common to the three boxes 30 - 32 .
  • Two consecutive connecting arms form with the two consecutive boxes that they connect a deformable regular parallelogram so that the movement of one of these boxes relative to an immediately lower box in the stack from said non-deployed configuration of said container leads to circular translation of that box relative to the immediately lower box of the stack.
  • the connecting arms 34 , 37 connecting the three boxes 30 - 32 advantageously ensure simultaneous and uniform movement of all of the boxes of the container between the non-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration and vice versa.
  • These connecting arms 33 - 38 are advantageously received in lateral housings 39 provided for this purpose in order for no structural element of the container to be placed projecting from the parallelepiped 40 defined by the free walls of the boxes 30 - 32 so that this container can be stacked on and/or placed against other containers for its storage or its transport.
  • These lateral housings 39 correspond here to recesses in the lateral edges of the boxes 30 - 32 .
  • the connecting arms 33 - 38 are mounted to be mobile in rotation on the boxes 30 - 32 to allow relative movement of each of these boxes.
  • These connecting arms 33 - 38 include links, for example.
  • the face or faces 41 - 43 of the boxes 30 - 32 intended to come into contact with a face of another box when these boxes are placed end-to-end in the deployed configuration of the container each have a shape complementary to the face with which it is intended to cooperate in the deployed configuration of the container. As a result, the faces of two consecutive boxes coupled in this manner are locked in position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
US13/983,146 2011-02-17 2012-02-09 Convertible container Abandoned US20140042044A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1151310 2011-02-17
FR1151310A FR2971776B1 (fr) 2011-02-17 2011-02-17 Conteneur transformable
PCT/EP2012/052237 WO2012110401A1 (fr) 2011-02-17 2012-02-09 Conteneur transformable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140042044A1 true US20140042044A1 (en) 2014-02-13

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/983,146 Abandoned US20140042044A1 (en) 2011-02-17 2012-02-09 Convertible container

Country Status (17)

Country Link
US (1) US20140042044A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2675700A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2014509979A (fr)
KR (1) KR20140047584A (fr)
CN (1) CN103380052A (fr)
AU (1) AU2012217255A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112013021708A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2826042A1 (fr)
EA (1) EA201300921A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2971776B1 (fr)
IL (1) IL227968A0 (fr)
MA (1) MA34848B1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2013009491A (fr)
SG (1) SG192810A1 (fr)
TN (1) TN2013000344A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012110401A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA201305857B (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111535150A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2020-08-14 武汉理工大学 刚柔组合折叠浮桥
NL2027267B1 (nl) * 2021-01-05 2022-07-22 R Kloosterman Holding B V Drijvende inrichting, werkwijze voor het assembleren van een drijvende inrichting, en gebruik van een drijvende inrichting.

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CN103803155B (zh) * 2012-11-08 2016-04-27 大连中集物流装备有限公司 用于托盘箱的双轴铰接装置和具有双轴铰接装置的托盘箱
EP3075912A1 (fr) 2015-03-31 2016-10-05 Peter Högl Module de pont routier et procédé de construction de pont
CN106741736B (zh) * 2016-12-01 2019-04-26 深圳市易特科信息技术有限公司 可扩展救生船
CN206265268U (zh) * 2016-12-07 2017-06-20 深圳市易特科信息技术有限公司 便携式水上急救装置
WO2018225135A1 (fr) * 2017-06-05 2018-12-13 中国電力株式会社 Flèche à dèchets du type à jetée flottante
CN107323629A (zh) * 2017-07-20 2017-11-07 青岛迪玛尔海洋工程有限公司 一种光伏变压器水上平台
CN108528651B (zh) * 2018-03-28 2020-05-01 合肥凯石投资咨询有限公司 飞行器电磁跑道
CN108532443A (zh) * 2018-06-08 2018-09-14 中国船舶重工集团应急预警与救援装备股份有限公司 一种玻璃钢外板和钢质结构复合的带式浮桥箱体

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US4809636A (en) * 1984-08-17 1989-03-07 Robishaw Engineering, Inc. Construction transportation assembly
US20070144805A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Steve German Intermodel truck
US7320289B1 (en) * 2006-08-17 2008-01-22 Clarke Robert A Autonomous swimming cargo containers
WO2008104644A1 (fr) * 2007-02-27 2008-09-04 Constructions Industrielles De La Mediterranee-Cnim Vehicule amphibie pour franchir une breche humide
US20090106917A1 (en) * 2005-07-27 2009-04-30 Elisabeth Richeux System for transporting a span on a road vehicle capable of being transformed into an amphibious vehicle enabling the crossing of a dry or water-filled gap by any road vehicle
US20100031454A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2010-02-11 Ets A. Deschamps Et Fils Temporary bridge

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FR2926822B1 (fr) 2008-01-29 2010-05-28 Deschamps A & Fils Ets Procede de tissage et metier a tisser pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
FR2926821B1 (fr) 2008-01-29 2010-04-02 Deschamps A & Fils Ets Structure tissee et panneau ou recipient comportant une telle structure
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2963310A (en) * 1959-01-20 1960-12-06 Strick Trailers Vertical container couplers
US3978812A (en) * 1974-11-14 1976-09-07 Magirus-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft Self-propelled crossing and floating bridge implement also usable as a land vehicle
DE3204473A1 (de) * 1982-02-09 1983-08-18 Magirus-Deutz Ag, 7900 Ulm Amphibisches bruecken- und uebersetzfahrzeug
US4809636A (en) * 1984-08-17 1989-03-07 Robishaw Engineering, Inc. Construction transportation assembly
US20090106917A1 (en) * 2005-07-27 2009-04-30 Elisabeth Richeux System for transporting a span on a road vehicle capable of being transformed into an amphibious vehicle enabling the crossing of a dry or water-filled gap by any road vehicle
US20070144805A1 (en) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 Steve German Intermodel truck
US20100031454A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2010-02-11 Ets A. Deschamps Et Fils Temporary bridge
US7320289B1 (en) * 2006-08-17 2008-01-22 Clarke Robert A Autonomous swimming cargo containers
WO2008104644A1 (fr) * 2007-02-27 2008-09-04 Constructions Industrielles De La Mediterranee-Cnim Vehicule amphibie pour franchir une breche humide

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111535150A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2020-08-14 武汉理工大学 刚柔组合折叠浮桥
NL2027267B1 (nl) * 2021-01-05 2022-07-22 R Kloosterman Holding B V Drijvende inrichting, werkwijze voor het assembleren van een drijvende inrichting, en gebruik van een drijvende inrichting.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2675700A1 (fr) 2013-12-25
JP2014509979A (ja) 2014-04-24
SG192810A1 (en) 2013-09-30
MX2013009491A (es) 2013-11-20
MA34848B1 (fr) 2014-01-02
BR112013021708A2 (pt) 2016-11-01
TN2013000344A1 (fr) 2015-01-20
CA2826042A1 (fr) 2012-08-23
ZA201305857B (en) 2015-03-25
FR2971776A1 (fr) 2012-08-24
KR20140047584A (ko) 2014-04-22
IL227968A0 (en) 2013-09-30
AU2012217255A1 (en) 2013-09-12
WO2012110401A1 (fr) 2012-08-23
CN103380052A (zh) 2013-10-30
EA201300921A1 (ru) 2014-01-30
FR2971776B1 (fr) 2013-03-29

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Owner name: ETS A. DESCHAMPS ET FILS, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DESCHAMPS, GEORGES-PAUL;REEL/FRAME:031386/0376

Effective date: 20131007

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION