WO2016084103A2

WO2016084103A2 - Collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container

Info

Publication number: WO2016084103A2
Application number: PCT/IN2015/050174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arun Modgil
Original assignee: Arun Modgil
Priority date: 2014-11-26
Filing date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Also published as: WO2016084103A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a collapsible and extendable glass rack container which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a collapsible/extendable rack with minimum amount of packaging in order to transport even varied sizes of the glass panels / fragile materials. The present glass rack container includes plurality of collapsible and extendable panels that are configured to couple to each other in a foldable manner. The present invention further provides a glass rack container which is collapsible and extendable wherein the panels of the container are slidable in construct enabling the container dimensionally extendable.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENDABLE GLASS RACK/ CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to the field of shipping or transportation industry, and, more specifically to a collapsible / extendable glass rack container for transporting fragile or breakable material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Partially collapsible or foldable steel racks are already known for use in place of wooden racks in shipping or transporting of such fragile and breakable material.

The transportation of glass panels presents a unique challenge every time which in turn requires designing of such steel racks. If the racks for the transportation are not designed in proper manner, then there can be a huge amount of breakage while transporting the consignment. It is therefore a known practice to use such steel racks for transporting the fragile / glass materials.

Another problem which is commonly faced during the transportation of such articles is that, the racks to be shipped may not have the load to the full capacity thereby leaving more empty space in the racks thus resulting in even more chance of breakage due to the excessive vibrations. Thus it is required to have a sufficient arrangement of packaging material to be in place during the transportation. This again results in increased costs.

Further, it is also not possible to have a full load of consignment of the same size every time in the rack. For efficient shipping and due to the varied requirements, often the consignment may consist of glass panels of varied sizes and shapes which needs to be shipped. Thus it is a requirement that the rack must be so designed so as to accommodate various sizes efficiently without wasting space in transportation vehicles and to safely transport the glass panelsm. Thus to overcome the problems being faced by earlier invention and provide a effective solution for the transportation of glass panels, the present invention provides for new and inventive steel racks/containers with variable dimensions such that these packaging containers can be expanded / collapsed to meet the varying size of glass panels being packaged and shipped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible and extendable glass rack container which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a collapsible/extendable rack with minimum amount of packaging in order to transport even varied sizes of the glass panels / fragile materials.

The present invention further provides a glass rack container which includes plurality of collapsible panels that are extendable in nature.

The present invention further provides a glass rack container which is collapsible and extendible wherein, the plurality of panels may be configured to couple to each other in a foldable manner, which makes the container collapsible.

The present invention further provides a glass rack container which is collapsible and extendable wherein the panels of the container are slidable in construct enabling the container dimensionally extendable.

The present invention also provides a method for forming or manufacturing such a glass rack container. The rack according to the present invention may be constructed to have a suitable height compatible with the size and height of the shipment. The rack is provided with the telescopic extension mechanism to secure a variety of glass panels. The telescopic extension and contraction mechanism may be used to accommodate the shipping of partially filled racks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

Fig.l is the perspective view of the base assembly of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.2 is the perspective view of the side assembly (Left Hand Side) of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.2A is the perspective view of the side assembly (Right Hand Side) of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.3 is the perspective view of the rear assembly (Rear) of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.3A is the perspective view of the front assembly (Front) of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.4 is the perspective view of the rack in assembled position without showing any extension and with the glass panels in place in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.5 is the front view of the rack in assembled position without showing any extensions and with glass panels in place.

Fig.6. is the plan view of the rack as shown in figure 5.

Fig.7 is the side view of the rack in assembled position without showing any extension and with glass panels in place.

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the rack without the front side.

Fig.9 is the perspective view of the rack in the lengthwise extended position.

Fig.10 is the perspective view of the rack in fully extendable position height-wise. Fig.11 is the perspective view of the rack with the front side fully collapsed and folded.

Fig.12 is the perspective view of the rack with the rear side fully collapsed and folded.

Fig.13 is the perspective view of the rack with the right side fully collapsed and folded. Fig.14 is the perspective view of the rack in fully collapsed and folded position for stacking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This application describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to achieve full description and explanation, specific details have been mentioned to provide a thorough and comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, said embodiments may be utilized without such specific details and in various other ways broadly covered herein.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to the Fig.4, one embodiment of the invention is described. The figure shows assembled rack without showing any extensions and loaded with the glass panels. The rack in accordance with the present invention has a base which is fixedly connected and has a support. The base also has 'Stops' which can hold the glass panels in place for the transportation purposes. The base of the rack is then connected with the side assembly at the Right Hand side and left hand side.

Further, the front assembly and the rear assembly are also pivotably connected to the base assembly, wherein they can either be extended according to the requirement or can be folded and stacked.

Referring to Fig.l, the figure shows the base assembly of the rack in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the base of the invention comprises of a square section 101, 106, 105 and 107 that are fixedly connected to each other in a substantially rectangular shape of a predetermined size. This substantially rectangular base section is further connected with three more transverse bars 102, 103 and 104, preferably equidistant from the centre of the longitudinal section 101 and 105.

The transverse members of the substantially rectangular base assembly are provided with 'Stops' or delimiters so as to enable the vertical stacking of the glass panels in the base assembly. The stops or delimiters (118, 119, 120, 121, 122) are equidistant and in the transverse direction so as to enable stacking of the glass panels. Since the panels or the consignment to be transported is made up of fragile elements e.g. glass, resilient pads are placed on the transverse members to absorb any shock that may occur and in turn give protection to the fragile glass panels. These resilient panels

118', 119', 120', 121 'and 122' are attached to the corresponding transverse members.

The base assembly is also provided with the members 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116 which are fixedly connected at the identical places on both the longitudinal bars 101 and 105. These members have the provision to pivotally connect the front and rear assembly of the rack. Referring to Fig.2 and Fig. 2A, these figures represent the perspective view of the side assemblies (Left Hand side and Right Hand Side) of the rack in accordance with the present invention. These figure show the mechanism allowing the side frames to be collapsed or folded as required. Fig.2 shows a stub (212) and post (210) disassembled. The stub 212 comprises a slot 200 and a pin 202. The post 210 includes a slot 200' .

When fully assembled, the pin 202 is located within the slot 200 and the stub. Thus when the post is fully inserted into the stub 212, pin 202 abuts the top slot 200'.

From fully inserted position, the post 210 may be raised, such that the pin 202 abuts the bottom of the slot 200' . With the post so raised, the post may be moved in the direction of the arrow so as to lie substantially in the plane of the base assembly.

Similarly the other end of the post 210 has a slot and pin mechanism to accommodate another post 208 which is slightly shorter than the cross section of the post 210. Therefore, the post 208 can be inserted into the post 210 by using the pin and slot mechanism.

Similarly the other end of the post 208 has a slot and pin mechanism to accommodate another post 207 which is slightly shorter than the cross section of the post 208. All these posts are having a transverse cross connecting members 204 and 204', which are connected to identical posts on the other side.

These posts and assemblies 207,208and 210 can be telescopically collapsed or extended using the slots and pins to get desired height extensions. The cross members 204 and 204' provide adequate strength to the vertical posts. Fig. 2A' represents the identical configuration of the right hand side assembly of the rack in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 3A, these figure represent the perspective view of the rear and the front assemblies of the rack in accordance with the invention. Referring to Fig. 3 of the rear assembly, the vertical members 317, 317A, 317B and 317C are connected to the members 113, 114, 115 and 116. The said vertical members are pivotally connected to these fixed members through pin slot mechanism. These vertical members can be rotated in the direction of arrows so as to lie substantially in the same plane as of the base assembly. This pin and slot mechanism can be used to latch the vertical members in the vertical position during the assembled position.

Further, the vertical members 317, 317A, 317B and 317C are telescopically connected to corresponding members 316, 316A, 316B and 316C using the same pin and slot mechanism. The cross section of these members is slightly shorter than that of the corresponding members 317, 317A, 317B and 317C. The locking mechanism can be used to either extend the members or to collapse the members.

Further, the vertical members 316, 316A, 316B and 316C are again connected telescopically to the upper sub-assembly of the rear assembly of the rack. The upper sub-assembly of the rear assembly comprises of vertical members 315, 315A, 315B and 315C fixedly connected to the horizontal members 314.

The horizontal member 314 is further connected to horizontally extendable member 318 on either side. These horizontally extendable members can be attached to the horizontal members 205 of the side assembly of the rack. These members again have a pin slot mechanism to either extend or collapse the sub-assemblies. Vertical members 315, 315A, 315B and 315C which are attached to the horizontal members 315, 318 are again of a slightly shorter cross section than the members 316, so that they can be telescopically adjusted using the pin slot mechanism.

Fig.3A represents the identical configuration of the front assembly of the rack in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig.9, this figure represents the perspective view of the rack in an extendable position lengthwise. As can be seen, the longitudinal members of the base assembly, the side assemblies and the front and the rear assemblies have been fully extended and locked. This configuration allows the transportation and stacking of much longer glass panels in the container safely. Similarly, referring to the Fig.10, this figure shows the perspective view of the rack in an extendable position height wise. As can be seen, the vertical members of the assembly and the sub-assemblies have been fully extended and locked. This configuration allows the transportation and stacking of much higher / taller size glass panels in the container safely.

Referring to Fig. 11 and 12, the figure shows the perspective view of the rack in the folded and collapsed position. As can be seen, both the front and the rear subassemblies have been folded.

Referring to Fig. 13 and 14, these figures shows the rack in complete folded and stacked position wherein both the rear and the front sub-assemblies as well as both the left hand side and right hand side sub-assemblies have been folded to the substantially same plane as that of the base assembly. In this configuration, the racks can be very easily stacked and even transported.

Thus with the object of this invention, it is possible to have stacking and transportation of glass panels of varied sizes either lengthwise or transversely and further when the rack is not in use, it can be easily stacked one over another.

Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and drawings herein. The principles associated with the various embodiment defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be provided broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel and invention features describe/disclosed or suggested herein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements etc. within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall all be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container comprising of : a. a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises a square section (101, 106, 105, 107) fixedly connected to each other in a substantially rectangular shape; the said base further connected with equidistant transverse bars (102, 103, 104); members (109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) fixedly connected to the transverse members (101, 105) at identical places; b. side assemblies (left side and right side) wherein the said assemblies can be collapsed and /or folded; the said assemblies comprising a stub (212) and a post(210); stub (212) comprising of a slot (200) and a pin (202); the said post includes a slot (200') whereby when the post is fully inserted into the stub (212), pin (202) abuts the top slot (200'); the distal end of the post (210) has a further slot and a pin mechanism wherein another post (208) having a slightly shorter cross section than post (210) can be inserted using a pin slot mechanism; c. rear and front assemblies comprising of vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) wherein these vertical members are connected to members (113, 114, 115, 116); said vertical members being pivotably connected to said fixed members through pin and slot mechanism whereby these members can be rotated in substantially same plane as of the base assembly; further, vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) are telescopically connected to members (316, 316A, 316B, 316C) using the pin slot mechanism wherein the cross section of the members (316, 316A, 316B, 316C) is slightly less than that of vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C); wherein the side assemblies, the rear and front assemblies can be extended and / or collapsed using the telescopic mechanism, to accommodate the glass/ components of various sizes.

2. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base assembly is made up of rigid structural material.

3. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transverse bars (102, 103, 104) are provided with a resilient pads (118', 119', 120', 121 ', 122') to absorb any shock and provide protection to fragile glass/ component during transportation.

4. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claiml, wherein the members (109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) are fixedly connected to the base members (101, 105) wherein the members have a provision to pivotably connect the front and rear assembly members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) through pin and slot mechanism whereby the front and rear members can be folded in substantially same plane as the base assembly in the folded position.

5. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claiml wherein the side assemblies (left side and right side) comprises of a Stud (117), a slot (200), a Post (210), a stub (212), another post (207) and pin (202); wherein the stud (117) has a slot (200) whereby when the post is fully inserted into the stub (212), pin (202) abuts to the top of the slot, whereby the post (210) can be pivotably rotated or folded in the same plane as that of the base assembly.

6. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claim 5, wherein there is provided another post (207) having members (208, 205) wherein the cross section of the post (207) is slightly smaller than that of post (210) whereby the post (207) can be telescopically expanded or collapsed using a pin and slot mechanism.

7. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) are pivotably connected to members (113, 114, 115, 116) through pin slot mechanism.

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8. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) are telescopically connected to upper sub assembly comprising of telescopic mechanism (315, 315A, 315B, 315C) which are fixedly connected to member (314), which in turn is connected to extendable members (318) on either side and the member (318), the said member (318) on either side are further connected to members (205) of the side assembly of the rack.

9. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in claim 7 or 8 above, wherein the extendable member 318 has a cross section slightly larger than that of member 314, whereby they can be slidably expanded or contracted/ collapsed using pin and slot mechanism.

10. A collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in any of the claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the vertical members (317, 317A, 317B, 317C) can be folded in a substantially same plane as of the base assembly.

11. A method of manufacturing collapsible and extendable glass rack/ container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the method comprising of: a. providing a base assembly, the base assembly having transverse members and fixed members wherein the transverse members are provided with a resilient material to absorb the shock during transportation, the fixed members comprising the pin and slot mechanism, wherein the vertical members are pivotaly attached to the fixed members and can be folded in the same plane as that of the base assembly; b. providing side assemblies (left hand side and right hand side) wherein the assemblies can be collapsed and /or folded; the said assemblies comprising a stub (212) and a post (210); stub (212) comprising of a slot (200) and a pin (202); the said post includes a slot (200') whereby when the post is fully inserted into the stub (212), pin (202) abuts the top slot (200'); the distal end of the post (210) has a further slot and a pin mechanism

3 wherein another post (208) having a slightly shorter cross section than post (210) can be inserted using a pin slot mechanism; providing front and rear assemblies comprising of vertical members wherein these vertical members are pivotably connected to said fixed members through pin and slot mechanism whereby these members can be rotated in substantially same plane as of the base assembly;

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