WO2004101395A1

WO2004101395A1 - Variable-volume container

Info

Publication number: WO2004101395A1
Application number: PCT/NO2004/000134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ola Blakseth; Frode Johnsen
Original assignee: Ola Blakseth; Frode Johnsen
Priority date: 2003-05-15
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: DE602004008467D1; EP1641684A1; NO320462B1; EP1641684B1; ATE370899T1; NO20032197L; NO20032197D0

Abstract

A device for a lifting container (1) of a type arranged to be lifted by means of a lifting device (33), in which the lifting container (1) comprises at least a first container section (2) and a second container section (4) that are connectable in at least two mutually dissimilar positions.

Description

Variable-volume container

This invention concerns a lifting container. More specifically, it concerns a lifting container formed into at least two sections, in which the main sections of the container are arranged in a manner allowing them to be connected in at least two mutually dissimilar positions, particularly for the purpose of reducing the container volume during return transport .

It is a well-known problem that lifting containers being returned after use, for example from an installation offshore, occupy the same cargo volume despite a relatively- modest container weight. This situation results in supply boats not utilizing their payload due to the volume of empty containers occupying available cargo volume.

The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of prior art . The object is achieved in accordance with the invention and by means of the features disclosed in the following description and in the subsequent claims.

By forming a lifting container into at least two sections and in a manner allowing the main sections of the lifting container to be joined in at least two mutually dissimilar positions, it is possible to reduce the volume of the lifting container during return transport, for example. During cargo transport, the main sections of the lifting container are joined in a manner providing a relatively large lifting container volume, while it is joined in a mutual position during return transport, causing the lifting container to occupy a reduced volume.

According to the invention, the lifting container is provided with at least a first container section, usually comprising an end wall, two sidewalls and a floor. A second container section usually comprises an end wall, two sidewalls and a floor, too. The second container section fits complementarily and preferably movably within the first container section. In their load-carrying state, the container sections are arranged in a manner allowing the end wall of the first container section and the end wall of the second container section to form the end walls of the lifting container.

The container sections are provided with a lock, for example in the form of locking bolts, for mutual locking of the container sections in each of the mutually connectable positions. Preferably, the container sections are mutually lockable also in intermediate positions in order to adapt the length of the lifting container to the cargo length. Preferably, a lifting point is arranged at each of the four outer corner portions of the lifting container, at which corner portions the respective end walls are connected to a sidewall. Optionally, the sidewalls of the lifting container sections, at their opposite portions, may also be provided with lifting points.

In a preferred embodiment, in which the container sections are mutually and telescopically displaceable, a pullout strap is connected to the sidewalls of the second container section at the portion of the sidewalls facing away from the end wall thereof .

The pullout strap extends about a turning disk connected to the sidewalls of the first container section via a flange at a portion of the sidewalls facing away from the end wall thereof .

When the lifting container is to be extended to its extended position, the lock is released, and the bend of the pullout strap is placed in a lifting hook, for example. When the lifting hook pulls the pullout strap about the turning disks, the second container section is displaced in a direction outward and away from the first container section. After having engaged the lock, the lifting container is ready to be loaded and lifted.

For example, the lifting container may be moved together by lifting the lifting container from its four lifting points after having disengaged the lock.

To facilitate the mutual displacement of the second container section into the first container section, the first and the second container section may be provided with guides and/or guide pulleys.

A lifting container may comprise two or more container sections, preferably telescopic container sections. For example, a container may comprise a container section at each end portion and also an intermediate container section without an end wall, and being arranged in a manner allowing it to be displaced into one or both end portion container sections.

In the following, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described and illustrated on the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows, in perspective, an extended, two-section, telescopic lifting container during lifting;

Figure 2 shows, in perspective, a contracted, two-section, telescopic lifting container during extension by means of a pullout strap;

Figure 3 shows a section I-I of figure 1; and

Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a three-section, telescopic lifting container.

On the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a telescopic lifting container comprising a first container section 2 and a second container section 4. The first container section 2 comprises a first end wall 6, first sidewalls 8 and a first floor 10. The second container section 4 comprises a second end wall 12, second sidewalls 14 and a second floor 16.

5 At their respective corner portions, where the first end wall 6 is connected to the first sidewalls 8, and where the second end wall 12 is connected to the second sidewalls 14, the first container section 2 and the second container section 4 are provided with lifting points 18.

ID The second container section 4 fits complementarily within the first container section 2. Both container sections 2 and 4 are provided with cut outs 20 for locking bolts 22. When the locking bolts 22 are placed in their respective and corresponding cut outs 20, the container sections 2 and 4 is thus form a liftable, telescopic container 1.

A pullout strap 24, cf . figure 2, is connected to the second sidewalls 14 relative to the opposite portion 26 of the second end wall 12. The pullout strap 24 extends about a turning disk 28 connected to the first sidewalls 8 relative 2o to the opposite portion 30 of the first end wall 6.

When the lifting container is to be extended, the bend of the pullout strap 24 is placed in a lifting hook 32. By allowing the lifting hook to pull the pullout strap 24 about the turning disks 28 after having removed the locking bolts 22 25 from the cut outs 20, the second container section 4 is displaced in a direction outward and away from the first container section 2. When the lifting container 1 has achieved the desired length, the container sections 2 and 4 are interlocked by means of the locking bolts 22, after which the lifting container 1 is ready for loading and lifting by means of a lifting device 33.

In this preferred embodiment, the first container section 2 is provided with a number of guide pulleys 34. The guide pulleys 34 project up through cut outs 36 in upper flanges 38 of the first sidewalls 8. The guide pulleys 34 are arranged to support flanges 40 of the second sidewalls 14 in order to facilitate the telescopic displacement of the second container section 4 within the first container section 2.

In an alternative embodiment the telescopic lifting container 1 comprises a first end portion container section 42, a second end portion container section 44 and an intermediate container section 46, in which the intermediate container section 46 is arranged in a manner allowing it to be displaced into both the first and the second end portion container sections 44 and 46.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A device for a lifting container (1) of the type arranged to be lifted by means of a lifting device (33), charac ter i z ed in that lifting container (1) comprises at least a first container section (2) and a second container section (4) that are connectable in at least two mutually dissimilar positions.

2. The device according to claim 1, charac t e r i z ed in that the first and the second container sections (2, 4) are mutually and telescopically displaceable.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2 , cha rac ter i z ed in that the container sections (2, 4) are provided with a pullout strap (24) extending about turning disks (28) .