US3575456A - Modular shipping and storage units - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular and expandable device for multiple stacking of sheet metal rooftop air conditioning units or other units having a structure of such integrity as to resist moment loadings as occur in handling, storing and shipping of said units. This device may be used for stacking any standardized rigid container which is used for housing and/or storing and shipping. The modular devices consist of a support column with sloping ram portion to guide the upper stored unit onto a support foot, a plurality of ear members on both sides of the columnar device and one brace member associated with each columnar device which may be switched to either side ear member of the columnar device to form either a right- or left-hand member. When two or more columnar devices are operated in conjunction with each other these braces are connected from the top of one columnar device to the bottom of the other columnar device to provide cross braces between the columnar devices.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventor Therian E. Austin 646 W. Walnut Ave., El Segundo, Calif. 90245 [21 Appl No. 843,999

[22] Filed July 23, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [54] MODULAR SHIPPING AND STORAGE UNITS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,728 10/1929 Fullerton 294/67(.4) 214/ 10.5

3,231,103 1/1966 Tantunger Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Lyon & Lyon ABSTRACT: A modular and expandable device for multiple stacking of sheet metal rooftop air conditioning units or other units having a structure of such integrity as to resist moment loadings as occur in handling, storing and shipping of said units. This device may be used for stacking any standardized rigid container which is used for housing and/or storing and shipping. The modular devices consist of a support column with sloping ram portion to guide the upper stored unit onto a support foot, a plurality of ear members on both sides of the columnar device and one brace member associated with each columnar device which may be switched to either side ear member of the columnar device to form either a rightor lefthand member. When two or more columnar devices are operated in conjunction with each other these braces are connected from the top of one columnar device to the bottom of the other columnar device to provide cross braces between the columnar devices.

Patented April 20, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l MODULAR SHIPPING AND STORAGE UNITS OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention isto provide shipping and storage devices which are light in weight, yet can support at least two heavy large units.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide shipping storage devices which may be easily disassembled and returned for reuse.

A further object of the present invention is to provide shipping and storage devices which are in themselves easily transported and stored.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the ensuing description together with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one of the modular shipping and storage devices which are used to support the units to be stored.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation taken through lines 2-2 of FIG. 3 illustrating top supporting member and guide ramp.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation illustrating a combination of two modular devices and cross braces.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front elevation of a columnar device broken down to illustrate mounting of the freely pivoting engagement ring.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view taken through lines 5-5 of FIG. 3 illustrating the assembly of the quick release pin which is used to attach the cross braces to the columnar devices.

Referring now the drawings, the modular shipping and storage device comprises a columnar support member with a foot member 12 which may be covered with any suitable vibration absorbing material 14. At the top of the columnar member 10 is a downwardly slanting ramp l6 beneath which is a second foot member 18. On the sides of the columnar supporting devices 10 and beneath the top foot member 18 are a pair of laterally spaced ear members 20. In a plane with these ear members 20 near the base of the columnar device 10 are a second pair of laterally spaced ear members 22. The top ear member 20 generally supports a hinged cross brace 24' storage area.

used to join these modular columnar devices into a supporting structure such as shown in FIG. 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hinge means 26 for the cross brace comprises quick disconnect-type engagement pins 28 for quick and easy removal so that the cross brace may be changed from a rightto left-handed device as the storage situation warrants. Longer cross braces can also be used to increase centerline distance between columnar devices. Likewise, similar quick disconnect-type engagement pins 30 are provided for joining the cross brace 24 to the bottom of a neighboring columnar device. A storage position hole 32 is provided in each cross' brace 24 and when stored in quick disconnect-type engagement pins 30 are utilized to secure these crossmembers 24 to the lower ear members 22 of the individual columnar device as shown in FIG. 4.

At the top outer side of each columnar supporting device a free pivoting engagement ring 34 has been provided and is used to tie down the units during shipping or storage and also used as lift points when it becomes necessary to lift the stored OPERATION OF THE INVENTION When it becomes necessary to store or ship units the bottom foot 12 of each columnar supporting device is placed under the bottom unit to be supported. The quick disconnect-type engagement pins 30 are removed and the crossbraces 24 are joined to the ear members 22 of the adjacent columnar device to provide lateral support.

Next, a second unit to be stored is lifted above the first and contacts the slantin ramp 16 of the columnar supporting device and IS allowe to slide down onto the top foot member When storage of these units is no longer necessary these modular shipping and storage devices may be disassembled and stacked or laid aside for future use and require less space than conventional devices for handling cargo such as the usual pallets, gondolas and the like.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the appended claims, they are to be considered as part of the invention.

Iclaim: l. A modular shipping and storage device comprising: vertical columnar devices with a top end and a bottom end having a foot member at the bottom end to support a stored load;

a downwardly sloping ramp at the top of said columnar device;

s second foot member below said downwardly sloping ramp to support a second stored load;

a plurality of ear members laterally spaced from said foot members on each side of said vertical columnar devices;

at least one cross brace member attached to said laterally spaced ear members;

means for attaching said cross brace member to a second columnar device; and

means for attaching a cross brace member from said second columnar device to the first vertical columnar device to provide for the lateral support between said vertical columnar devices.

2. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said downwardly sloping ramp comprises and is integral with the top end of said columnar devices.

3. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 having a free pivoting engagement ring afiixed opposite said second foot member to provide means for securing said columnar devices and means for hoisting said columnar devices.

4. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said bottom and foot member is provided with a vibration absorbing material.

5. The modular'shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said cross brace members comprises quicltdisconnect-type engagement pins.

6. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said ear members are provided with a plurality of holes for adjustment of said cross brace members between said vertical columnar devices.

Claims (6)

1. A modular shipping and storage device comprising: vertical columnar devices with a top end and a bottom end having a foot member at the bottom end to support a stored load; a downwardly sloping ramp at the top of said columnar device; s second foot member below said downwardly sloping ramp to support a second stored load; a plurality of ear members laterally spaced from said foot members on each side of said vertical columnar devices; at least one cross brace member attached to said laterally spaced ear members; means for attaching said cross brace member to a second columnar device; and means for attaching a cross brace member from said second columnar device to the first vertical columnar device to provide for the lateral support between said vertical columnar devices.

2. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said downwardly sloping ramp comprises and is integral with the top end of said columnar devices.

3. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 having a free pivoting engagement ring affixed opposite said second foot member to provide means for securing said columnar devices and means for hoisting said columnar devices.

4. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said bottom end foot member is provided with a vibration absorbing material.

5. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said cross brace members comprises quick disconnect-type engagement pins.

6. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said ear members are provided with a plurality of holes for adjustment of said cross brace members between said vertical columnar devices.

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