WO2001083329A1

WO2001083329A1 - Containment system

Info

Publication number: WO2001083329A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000506
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Christakos
Original assignee: George Christakos
Priority date: 2000-05-03
Filing date: 2001-05-03
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: AUPQ726700A0; AU2001254526A1

Abstract

A side-loading cargo storage container (10) or trailer. The container (10) has a floor member (11), upwardly extending frame members (12) and spaced apart first and second side walls (14a, 14b) supported by the frame members (12). At least one of the side walls (eg. 14a) is mounted to the container (10) such that it is relatively movable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container (10) from a closed position to at least a first open position and vice versa. The container (10) includes at least one locking means (21) adapted to releasably lock the at least one side wall (14a) in position once it has moved to the closed position.

Description

"Containment system"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cargo and shipping containers and trailers and, in particular, to containers and trailers having side doors which open to allow loading and unloading of cargo from the side of the container or trailer. Background of the Invention

Shipping containers are widely used to transport cargo and goods both on land and sea. Traditional containers have a length of either about 6 or 12m, a height of about 2.4m and a similar width. The traditional container has a pair of hinged doors at one end that allow access to the interior of the container.

While traditional containers are suitable for transporting many goods, the provision of a set of end doors does present a number of problems in certain instances. For example, it is difficult to quickly and appropriately position and later remove heavy loads from the end of the container distal the end doors.

Because of the disadvantages of traditional containers, it is still quite common when goods are to be transported by semi-trailer or truck for the goods to be simply loaded onto the tray of the truck or trailer, covered with canvas or other appropriate tarpaulins and then tied down with chains or rope. For example, cotton bales are still normally loaded onto semi-trailers in this fashion. The necessity to cover and tie down the load is tedious, time consuming and also presents a danger to the driver or person required to tie down the load.

The traditional pantechnicon also normally has a set of rearwardly positioned end doors. The position of these doors, like in the traditional container, present a number of disadvantages. While pantechnicons have been developed with side doors, including flexible retractable doors or slidable doors, such arrangements do not provide full and ready access to the entire length of the storage area of the pantechnicon from its side.

The discussion above has been included in the present specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this application. Summary of the Invention

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is a side-loading cargo storage means including at least a floor member and spaced apart first and second side walls, at least one of the side walls being mounted such that it is relatively movable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container from a closed position to at least a first open position and vice versa, and at least one locking means adapted to releasably lock the at least one side wall in position once it has moved to the closed position.

In one embodiment, the cargo storage means can be a shipping container. In another embodiment, the cargo storage means can be a cargo trailer. The shipping container can have dimensions substantially identical or identical to those of traditional shipping containers and be formed from similar or the same materials. The cargo trailer can have dimensions substantially identical or identical to those of traditional cargo trailers and be formed from similar or the same materials.

The floor member can comprise a planar member. The floor member can be flat and be adapted, in use, to remain substantially parallel to the ground. The floor member can comprise a solid plate, including a perforated plate. The floor member can also be made of a plurality of cross beams. The cross beams can extend parallel to and/or perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cargo storage means.

A first endwall preferably extends upwardly from or adjacent a first end of the floor member. The first endwall preferably extends between frame members extending upwardly from corners of the floor member at or adjacent the floor member's first end. A second endwall also preferably extends upwardly from an end of the floor member distal the first end. Again, the second endwall preferably extends between frame members extending upwardly from corners of the floor member at or adjacent the floor member's second end. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second endwalls are substantially parallel. One or both of the endwalls can comprise or incorporate a door to allow access to the interior of the container or trailer. The first and second endwalls are preferably planar and parallel to each other. The first and second endwalls can comprise solid plates, including perforated solid plates, or be formed from a plurality of crossbeams. Where the endwalls are formed from crossbeams, the crossbeams can extend vertically and/or horizontally.

The first and second sidewalls each also preferably extend between respective pairs of frame members at the corners of the floor member and can be parallel to each other. As with the endwalls, the sidewalls can be formed from solid plates or be formed from a plurality of cross beams. In the case of solid plates, the plates may be perforated by a plurality of small holes to reduce the weight of the sidewalls. Alternatively, the sidewalls may be formed from a suitable strength mesh material. The container and trailer can have a roof member. The roof member can extend from the first to the second endwall. The roof member can also extend from the first to the second sidewalk In another embodiment, the roof member can extend from the first to the second endwall but not extend fully between the first and second sidewalls. In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the roof member is connected to said at least one sidewall such that it is also relatively movable about said axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cargo storage means. For example, a pivotal connection may be provided between the fixed portion of the roof member and the relatively movable portion of the roof member. Preferably, a plurality of pivotal connections are provided between the fixed and movable portions of the roof member.

Movement of said at least one sidewall is preferably controlled by an actuator means. Examples of suitable actuator means include one or more mechanical actuators, hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic rams. In one embodiment, an hydraulic cylinder is mounted to each of the endwalls of the container or trailer, with the cylinder arm extending to a plate mounted to the movable portion of the roof member. Extension of each cylinder arm relative to the hydraulic cylinder causes the movable portion of the roof member and its associated sidewall to rotate about the pivotal connections with the fixed portion of the roof member extending between the support members. The locking means preferably includes one or more longitudinal tensioning members adapted to be engaged with or adjacent a lower edge of said at least one sidewall. The tensioning members once engaged with the sidewall are tensioned thereby locking the sidewall in the closed position. The tensioning members can comprise chains that extend from an end normally positioned adjacent the longitudinal edge of the floor member to a end engaged with a tensioning rod positioned distal the longitudinal edge and extending preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cargo storage means. The tensioning rod is preferably positioned adjacent and outside the floor member and is, further, preferably rotatable about its longitudinal axis such that on rotation in one direction the chains are wrapped around the tensioning rod and when rotated in the counter direction, the chain are unwrapped from the tensioning rod. A ratchet and pawl mechanism can be used to hold the chains in their tensioned configuration until release is desired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, a preferred mode of carrying out the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

Fig. la is an enlarged view of a portion of the lower edge of the sidewall of the container of Fig. 1;

Fig. lb is an enlarged view of the locking means for the side wall according to the present invention; Fig. lc is an enlarged view of the tensioning means of the locking means according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a further simplified perspective view of the container according to the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the container of Fig. 2. Preferred Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

A side-loading cargo container is generally depicted as 10 in the drawings. While for the purposes of this description, no drawings are provided of a trailer, it will be appreciated that the container 10 could be mounted on or be suitably modified so as to be used as a trailer. Such a trailer could be towed by a prime mover. The depicted container 10 includes a flat floor 11 that is adapted, in use, to normally remain substantially parallel or parallel to the ground. The depicted floor 11 is formed from solid plate. It will be appreciated that the floor 11 could be formed from perforated plate or be made from a plurality of cross beams.

The container further has a plurality of frame members 12 that extend upwardly from the four corners of the floor member 11. Each end of the container 10 has a solid endwall 13 extending between respective frame members 12. The respective end walls 13 are substantially parallel or parallel to each other.

The container 10 further has a pair of spaced apart and parallel side walls 14a, 14b. The sidewalls 14a, 14b are formed from solid plate. It will, however, be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the sidewalls 14a, 14b could be formed from perforated plate, a plurality of cross beams, or a suitable strength mesh material.

The depicted container 10 has a roof 15. The roof 15, in the depicted embodiment, is comprised of a fixed portion 15b and a movable portion 15a. As is depicted in Figs 1 and 2, the movable portion 15a is joined to sidewall 14a such that they together define an L-shaped side door for the container 10. The movable portion 15a is pivotally connected to the fixed portion 15b by a plurality of hinges 16 such that the side door is relatively movable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 10 from a closed position to at least a first open position (such as depicted in Fig. 2) and vice versa. Movement of the side door is controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 17 (depicted in Figs 2 and 3 only) respectively mounted on the end walls 13 of the container 10. The hydraulic cylinders 17 are mounted on the outside of the container 10 so as to not impinge on the capacity of the cargo space within the container 10. In another embodiment, the cylinders 17 could be mounted within the container 10. A cylinder arm 18 extends out of each cylinder 17 to an end mounted to plate 19 welded to the movable portion 15 a of the roof 15. Extension of each cylinder arm 18 relative to the hydraulic cylinder 17 causes the movable portion 15 a of the roof 15 and its associated sidewall 14a to rotate about the hinges 16 mounted to the fixed portion 15b of the roof 15 that extends between the endwalls 13. The container 10 further incorporates a locking means adapted to releasably lock the movable L-shaped side door of the container 10 once it has been moved to the closed position.

In the depicted embodiment, the locking means includes a plurality of chains 21 that can be engaged by a user of the container 10 with respective hooks 22 positioned along the lower edge of the sidewall 14a when the sidewall 14a is in a closed position. Each chain at an end distal the hooks 22 is mounted to a rotatable cylindrical tensioning rod 23 that is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and extends below the floor 11 of the container 10. Once the respective chains 21 are engaged with the hooks 22, the tensioning rod 23 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis so causing each chain 21 to wrap around the rod 23.

As is schematically depicted in Fig. lc, a ratchet and pawl mechanism 24 can be used to releasably lock the rod 23 in position so causing each of the chain 21 to be held in a tensioned configuration until release is desired.

When the container 10 is to be unlocked, the pawl can be disengaged from the ratchet so releasing the tension on the chains 21. The rod 23 can then be counter-rotated such that the chains 21 have enough slack to allow them to be disengaged from the hooks 16. Use of the container 10 will now be described with reference to its application for carrying cotton bales. In this use, the container 10 will normally be carried on a trailer towed by a prime mover. The L-shaped side door comprised of sidewall 14a and movable roof portion 15a is pivoted upwardly by the driver or another operator using hydraulic cylinders 17. Once opened, a forklift or other suitable lifting device is used to load the bales directly into the container 10. Once loaded, the driver or operator closes the side door and then engages each chain 21 with its respective adjacent hook 16. In the depicted embodiment, the tensioning rod 23 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as to wrap a portion of each chain 21 about the rod 23. Once suitable tensioned, the chains 21 will hold the side door closed during subsequent transport of the container 10.

Once at its destination, the tensioning rod 23 is released from the ratchet and pawl mechanism 24 so allowing the driver or operator to quickly disengage each of the chains 21 from the hooks 16. The L-shaped side door can then be opened using the hydraulic cylinders 17 as described above to allow another forklift to remove the bales from the container 10. Use of the present container 10 in this application leads to a significant reduction in time taken in loading the cotton bales for transport in comparison to the traditional method of covering the bales with appropriate tarps and then tying the load into place using chains and/or ropes. It also reduces the risk to the driver of potential serious injury that can be caused by a fall from the load during the covering and tying down process.

The depicted container 10 has dimensions substantially identical or identical to those of traditional shipping containers and is formed from similar or the same materials. While a container having a single side door has been described, it will be appreciated that the container 10 could have movable side doors on each of its long sides. Further, the container 10 could be modified such that the sidewall 14a and movable roof portion 15a were divided into two or more portions that could be individually opened or closed if required. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A side-loading cargo storage means including at least a floor member and spaced apart first and second side walls, at least one of the side walls being mounted such that it is relatively movable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container from a closed position to at least a first open position and vice versa, and at least one locking means adapted to releasably lock the at least one side wall in position once it has moved to the closed position.

2. The cargo storage means of claim 1 wherein the cargo storage means is a shipping container.

3. The cargo storage means of claim 1 wherein the cargo storage means is a cargo trailer.

4. The cargo storage means of any one of the preceding claims wherein the floor member is flat and adapted, in use, to remain substantially parallel to the ground.

5. The cargo storage means of any one of the preceding claims wherein a first endwall extends upwardly from or adjacent a first end of the floor member.

6. The cargo storage means of claim 5 wherein the first endwall extends between frame members extending upwardly from corners of the floor member at or adjacent the floor member's first end.

7. The cargo storage means of claim 6 wherein a second endwall extends upwardly from an end of the floor member distal the first end.

8. The cargo storage means of claim 7 wherein the second endwall extends between frame members extending upwardly from corners of the floor member at or adjacent the floor member's second end.

9. The cargo storage means of claim 8 wherein the first and second side walls each also extend between respective pairs of frame members at the corners of the floor member

10. The cargo storage means of claim 9 wherein the cargo storage means further has a roof member.

11. The cargo storage means of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the roof member is connected to said at least one sidewall such that it is also relatively movable about said axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cargo storage means.

12. The cargo storage means of claim 11 wherein at least one pivotal connection is provided between the fixed portion of the roof member and the relatively movable portion of the roof member connected to said at least one sidewall.

13. The cargo storage means of claim 12 wherein movement of said at least one sidewall is controlled by one or more actuator means.

14. The cargo storage means of claim 13 wherein said at least one actuator means is selected from the group comprising mechanical actuators, hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic rams.

15. The cargo storage means of claim 14 wherein an hydraulic cylinder is mounted to each of the endwalls of the cargo storage means, with the cylinder arm extending to a plate mounted to the movable portion of the roof member, and further wherein extension of each cylinder arm relative to the hydraulic cylinder causes the movable portion of the roof member and its associated sidewall to rotate about the pivotal connections made with the fixed portion of the roof member.

16. The cargo storage means of any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means preferably includes one or more longitudinal tensioning members adapted to be engaged with or adjacent a lower edge of said at least one sidewall.

17. The cargo storage means of claim 16 wherein the tensioning members are chains that extend from an end normally positioned adjacent the longitudinal edge of the floor member to an end engaged with a tensioning rod positioned distal the longitudinal edge and extending preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cargo storage means.

18. The cargo storage means of claim 17 wherein the tensioning rod is positioned adjacent and outside the floor member and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis such that on rotation in one direction the chains are wrapped around the tensioning rod and when rotated in the counter direction, the chain are unwrapped from the tensioning rod.

19. The cargo storage means of claim 18 wherein a ratchet and pawl mechanism is used to hold the chains in their tensioned configuration until release is desired.