WO2022009183A1

WO2022009183A1 - Modular goods-carrying system

Info

Publication number: WO2022009183A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/056239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vegard SYNNES; Richard Dawson Cox
Original assignee: Kar-Tainer International Ltd; BARAVALLE, Ursula, Antonella, Davey
Priority date: 2020-07-10
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2022-01-13

Abstract

This invention relates to a modular goods-carrying system 10 comprising, a substantially planar, first carrier 12A which has a plurality of first receiving formations 14A for, in use, receiving in each of them an elongated spacer member 16, and, substantially planar, second carrier 12B, which has plurality of second receiving formations 14B, for, in use, receiving in each of them an elongated spacer member 16.

Description

MODULAR GOODS-CARRYING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a modular goods-carrying system. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a modular goods-carrying system for expanding the capacity and versatility of a goods-carrying apparatus, such as an intermodal container, vehicle, train, boat, or the like. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It has been common practice for many years to utilize pallets for the transportation and storage of goods. Once these goods are placed on pallets, it is often challenging to stack and arrange the pallets such that they can be transported in an efficient manner by maximizing the available space of a goods-carrying apparatus, and in such a way to prevent shifting or damage of goods during their transportation.

Conventional pallets are constructed from boards which constitute operative upper and lower load-baring faces. These faces are separated by spaced and parallel rectangular stringers which extend from one end of the pallet to the other. Their construction is such that they may be conveniently handled by forklifts.

Although pallets are well known in the art, the present multiplicity of designs are indicative of an important shortcoming, namely that a proportionately great number of items handled on pallets require a special pallet design to be safely and efficiently handled. This multiplicity of designs is inefficient and wasteful of resources. Thus, for example, where a specialised piece of equipment is to be shipped on a purpose-built pallet from a point of manufacture to a destination, it usually happens that the pallet is either thrown away afterwards, at great waste, or shipped back empty to the point of manufacture for reuse, at great expense.

In the past, efforts at solving this problem appear to have been concentrated on finding a material which is inexpensive and could easily be disposed of. While wood initially met these criteria, its cost in terms of material and the labour associated with the constructing of pallets from it has made it prohibitive. Plastic materials provide an excellent alternative as they are generally light, durable, and readily mouldable to specific configurations. However, here too material costs have risen and design flexibility is economically limited as the cost of producing dies or moulds for each separate design is, relatively speaking, expensive. Thus, plastic moulds are somewhat undesirable where the pallet design is varied periodically. Moreover, where a multiplicity of special designs is required, storage and inventory of the pallets are a burden.

Pallet assemblies have also been proposed in the past which include side panels to serve as bins; these pallet assemblies, however, have the same disadvantages as mentioned above where the pallet assemblies are afterwards either disposed of, or shipped back to a point of manufacture or distribution.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a modular goods-carrying system that will, at least partially, alleviate the above disadvantages, and/or that will be a useful alternative to goods-carrying systems known in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular goods-carrying system comprising:

- a plurality of elongated spacer members, each spacer member having a first end and an opposing second end;

- a first carrier having: o an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface, o carrier formations constituting access points for goods-handiing equipment to allow the first carrier to be carried by said goods-handiing equipment, and o a plurality of first receiving formations adapted for receiving therein the first ends of the plurality of spacer members; and

- a second carrier having: o an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface, and o a plurality of second receiving formations adapted for receiving therein the second ends of the plurality of spacer members, wherein, operatively, with the spacer members located in the first and second receiving formations the first and second carriers are spaced from each other with the plurality of spacer members disposed between them.

The plurality of first receiving formations may be defined in the operatively upper load bearing surface of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations may be defined in the operatively lower surface of the second carrier, wherein the second carrier is stackable on top of the first carrier. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first carrier also has a plurality of first receiving formations defined in its operatively lower surface, and the second carrier also has a plurality of second receiving formations defined in its operatively upper load bearing surface.

Preferably, the plurality of first receiving formations may be defined adjacent a periphery of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations may be defined adjacent a periphery of the second carrier. More preferably, the plurality of first receiving formations may be defined adjacent corners of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations may be defined adjacent corners of the second carrier.

There is provided for the shape and configuration of the plurality of first and second receiving formations to be similar, and to be complementary to the first and second ends of the spacer members.

The plurality of first receiving formations may not protrude beyond the operatively upper load bearing surface and lower surface of the first carrier. Likewise, the plurality of second receiving formations may not protrude beyond the operatively upper load bearing surface and lower surface of the second carrier.

The plurality of first and second receiving formations may comprise a plurality of apertures in the first and second carriers, respectively. The plurality of first and second receiving formations may include restricting means which restricts the depth the plurality of spacer members can be received in the receiving formations. Preferably, the restricting means may be a section of reduced cross-section compared to an inlet through which a spacer member is receivable into the receiving formation. Alternatively, the plurality of spacer members may include a shoulder formation proximate their respective first and second ends which limits the depth they can be received in the receiving formations. The shoulder formation may have a cross-sectional area greater than that of the receiving formations to thereby restrict the shoulder formation from being received in the receiving formations.

Each of the upper load bearing surfaces of the first and second carriers may include a sheet defining a plurality of holes over it, for accommodating therein protrusions on a retaining means so as to prevent lateral movement of the retaining means over the sheet.

The second carrier may also include carrier formations constituting access points for goods-hand!ing equipment to allow the second carrier to be carried by said goods- handling equipment,

The lower surface may be lower-most portion of the carrier.

The first and second carriers may be rectangular in side view.

The first and second carriers may be in the form of a platform.

The first and second carriers may be similar, wherein the carriers could be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system may include at least one barrier which is attachable to the first or second carrier such to extend perpendicularly to the upper load bearing surface and at least partially along the periphery of the first or second carrier. In one example embodiment of the invention, the barrier may be securable between adjacent spacer members, when operatively disposed between the first and second carriers. In a further example embodiment of the invention, the system may include a plurality of elongated post members which are locatable in the second receiving formations defined in the upper load bearing surface of the second carrier, with the barrier being securable between adjacent post members.

There is provided for the barrier to include gripping elements located on opposed ends thereof, the gripping elements being configured to operatively grip the spacer members or post members, as the case may be. The gripping elements on opposed ends of the barrier may be offset to one another with respect to the height of the barrier. The gripping elements may be shaped and dimensioned to fit at least partially around the spacer members or post members, as the case may be. Preferably, the system may include a plurality of the barriers which, when arranged end-to-end, extend along the periphery of the first or second carrier, as defined above.

The system may include the retaining means, which is securable to the sheet by locating its protrusions through the holes in the sheet. The retaining means may comprise a body that is shaped to form an obstruction on the sheet, when secured thereto, so as to restrict the lateral movement of objects over the sheet.

Each of the first and second carriers may further include a plurality of securing formations, in the form of catches, adapted for receiving an elongated securing element by means of which an object operatively supported on the respective carriers is securable thereto. The carrier formations may comprise a pair of channels positioned between the operatively upper load bearing and opposing lower surfaces.

The goods-handling equipment may be a forklift.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a first carrier for use in a modular goods carrying system, said carrier comprising:

- an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface;

- carrier formations constituting access points for goods-handling equipment to allow the first carrier to be carried by said goods-handling equipment; and

- a plurality of first receiving formations adapted for receiving therein first ends of a plurality of elongated spacer members.

The plurality of first receiving formations may be defined in the operatively upper load bearing surface and in the operatively lower surface. Preferably, the plurality of first receiving formations may be defined adjacent a periphery of the first carrier. More preferably, the plurality of first receiving formations may be defined adjacent corners of the first carrier.

The plurality of first receiving formations may not protrude beyond the upper load bearing surface and lower surface.

The upper load bearing surface may include a sheet defining a plurality of holes over it, for accommodating therein protrusions on a retaining means so as to prevent lateral movement of the retaining means over the sheet. The first carrier may further include a plurality of securing formations, in the form of catches, adapted for receiving an elongated securing element by means of which an object operatively supported on the carriers is securable thereto. The carrier formations may comprise a pair of channels positioned between the operatively upper and lower surfaces.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of a non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of the modular goods- carrying system, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view from above of a first carrier, in accordance with the invention, and which forms part of the modular goods-carrying system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view from below of the carrier of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the carrier of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view from above of the carrier of Figure 2 with retaining means spaced therefrom; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view from above of a second carrier, in accordance with the invention, and which forms part of the modular goods-carrying system of Figure 1 ; with barriers secured along sides thereof;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view from above of the modular goods- carrying system of Figure 1 , operatively carrying goods; and

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the of the modular goods-carrying system of Figure 7, operatively, carried by a forklift.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the Figures, in which like numerals refer to like features, a modular goods-carrying system is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in Figures 1 , 7 and 8.

The modular goods-carrying system 10 comprises a, substantially planar, first carrier 12A which has a plurality of first receiving formations 14A, best seen on Figures 2 and 3, for, in use, receiving in each of them an elongated spacer member 16. The system 10 further comprises a, substantially planar, second carrier 12B, which has plurality of second receiving formations 14B, for, in use, receiving in each of them an elongated spacer member 16.

In the current example embodiment, the first and second carriers 12A and 12B are similar, with like features indicated by like numbers and further including the reference numeral ‘A’ in respect of features of the first carrier 12A and the reference numeral ‘B’ in respect of features of the second carrier 12B. As such, the carriers 12A and 12B may thus be used interchangeably. It will however be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in other embodiments of the invention, the first and second carriers 12A and 12B may differ.

Each of the first and second carriers 12A and 12B defines an operatively upper load bearing surface 18A, 18B for carrying one or more objects, and an opposing operatively lower surface 20A, 20B, being the lower-most portion of the carrier. The first and second carriers 12A, 12B respectively comprises a platform, which is substantially rectangular in side view. As illustrated, the first and second carriers 12A, 12B comprises a framework 22A, 22B on which the operatively upper load bearing surface 18A, 18B and the opposing operatively lower surface 20A, 20B, are defined. As is best shown in Figure 3, each framework 22A, 22B comprises a plurality of interconnected edge frame members that extend along their respective peripheries, and a plurality of interconnected inner frame members that extend between the edge frame members to enhance the structural rigidity of the frameworks 22A, 22B. In an example embodiment, the frame members comprise hollow metal members.

The first receiving formations 14A are defined in, and do not protrude beyond a remainder of, the operatively upper surface and lower surfaces 18A, 20A. Similarly, the second receiving formations 14B are defined in, and do not protrude beyond a remainder of, the operatively upper surface and lower surfaces 18B, 20B.

The first and second receiving formations 14A, 14B are similar and are adapted to accommodate, in each of them, ends of at least one spacer member 16. More specifically, the shape and configuration of the first and second receiving formations 14A, 14B are complementary to the ends of the spacer members 16. The first and second receiving formations 14A, 14B are in the form of apertures which extend through the first and second carriers 12A, 12B, respectively, between their operatively upper surfaces 18A, 18B, and lower surfaces 20A and 20B, and are located adjacent the peripheries of the respective carriers 12A, 12B, more particularly, adjacent corner regions thereof.

The plurality of first and second receiving formations 14A, 14B may include restricting means (not shown) which restricts the depth the plurality of spacer members 16 can be received in the receiving formations 14A, 14B. Said, restricting means comprises a section of reduced cross-section compared to an inlet through which a spacer member 16 is receivable into the receiving formation 14A, 14B.

The system 10 comprises a plurality of the elongated spacer members 16, each having a first end 16.1 and an opposing second end 16.2. Each spacer member 16 includes a shoulder formation proximate its respective first and second ends 16.1 , 16.2 which limits the depth it can be received in the receiving formations 14A, 14B. Said shoulder formation has a cross-sectional area which is greater than that of the receiving formations 14A, 14B to thereby restrict the shoulder formation from being received in the receiving formations 14A, 14B.

The first carrier 12A is stackable on top of the second carrier 12B, by locating the first end 16.1 of each member 16 in a separate first receiving formation 14A, defined in the upper surface 18A of the first carrier 12A, and a second end 16.2 of each member 16 in a separate second receiving formation 14B, defined in the lower surface 20B of the second carrier 12B, whereby the plurality of spacer members 16 are disposed between, and orientated substantially perpendicularly with respect to, the first and second carriers 12A, 12B. In said configuration, the first and second carriers 12A, 12B are spaced from each other, permitting objects to be carried on the upper surface 18A of the first carrier 12A underneath the lower surface 20B of the second carrier 12B. It will be appreciated that the length of the spacer members 16 may differ from one application of the invention to another, depending on the size of objects to be carried on the first carrier 12A, and the available height for the system.

Each of the upper load bearing surfaces 18A, 18B of the first and second carriers 12A, 12B includes a sheet 24A, 24B defining a plurality of holes 26A, 26B over it, for accommodating therein protrusions 28 on a retaining means 30 (best shown in Figure 5) so as to prevent lateral movement of the retaining means 30 over the respective sheets 24A, 24B. As shown, the holes 26A, 26B are scattered across the sheets 24A, 24B, up to adjacent their edges, allowing the retaining means 30 to be connected to the sheets 24A, 24B at any position across them. The sheets 24A, 24B are mounted on top of the respective frameworks 22A, 22B.

Each carrier 12A, 12B has carrier formations 32A, 32B, respectively constituting access points for goods-handling equipment, here in the form of a forklift 34 (shown in Figure 8), allowing each carrier 12A, 12B to be carried by the forklift 34. Each of the carrier formations 32A, 32B comprises a pair of channels that extend into the framework 22A, 22B, between the upper surfaces 18A, 18B and lower surfaces 20A, 20B of the carrier 12A and 12B on which they are defined, shaped and dimensioned to receive therein blades of the forklift 34, as shown in Figure 8. In the illustrated example embodiment, the carrier formations 34A, 32B extend only partially through the carriers 12A, 12B, meaning that the carriers 12A, 12B could only be lifted from one side thereof. It will be appreciated that in another embodiment of the invention, the carrier formations 32A, 32B may extend through the carriers 12A, 12B whereby they are operable from two ends by said equipment 34. Each carrier 12A and 12B further includes a plurality of securing formations, in the form of catches 36A, 36B, adapted for receiving an elongated securing element 38 whereby an object 100 operatively supported on the respective carriers 12A, 12B are securable thereto. The catches 36A, 36B are arranged on the respective frameworks 22A, 22B adjacent at least part of the periphery of the carriers 12A, 12B, and in- between the respective upper and lower surfaces, with the sheets 24A, 24B spaced from said part of the periphery so as to permit access to the catches 36A, 36B from the operatively upper side 18A, 18B. The securing element 38 may be a strap, belt, rope, chain, cordage, cable, or line. In this example embodiment, the catches 36A, 36b comprise loops, but it is envisaged that the catches 36A, 36B could also comprise hooks, clips, pins, or fasteners.

The system further includes a plurality of barriers 40 which are attachable to the first or second carrier 12A, 12B such to extend substantially perpendicularly to its upper load bearing surface 18A, 18B, and at least partially along its periphery. In one example embodiment of the invention, the system 10 includes a plurality of elongated post members 42 which are each locatable in a separate second receiving formation 14B defined in the upper load bearing surface 18B of the second carrier 12B, with a barrier 40 being securable between adjacent post members 42, whereby the plurality of barriers 40 are arranged end-to-end about the second carrier 12B. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that a barrier 40 could in similar fashion be secured between adjacent spacer members 16, when operatively disposed between the first and second carriers 12A, 12B.

The barriers 40 are similar and each one comprises a planar body that includes gripping elements 44 located on opposed ends thereof which are configured to operatively grip the spacer and post members 16, 42. The gripping elements 44 on opposed ends of each barrier 40 are positioned offset relative to one another with respect to the height of the barrier 40. The gripping elements 44 are shaped and dimensioned to fit at least partially around the spacer and post members 16, 42. Although not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is envisaged that the barriers 40 could also engage the carriers 12A, 12B intermediate its corners, so as to enhance the rigidity of the system 10.

As is best shown in Figure 5, the system 10 also includes the retaining means 30, which is securable to the operatively upper surface 18A, 18B, more specifically the sheet 24A, 24B, of each carrier 12A, 12B, locating its protrusions 28 through the holes 26A, 26B in the sheets 24A, 24B. The retaining means 30 comprises a body that is shaped and dimensioned to form an obstruction on the sheets 24A, 24A, when secured thereto, so as to restrict the lateral movement of an object 100 over the sheets 24A, 24B. The retaining means 30 could also operatively support the object 100. In this example embodiment the retaining means 30 is in the form of a wedge arrangements, which support and restrict the movement of the one or more objects 100 on the carriers 12A, 12B. The shape and configuration of the retaining means 30 are not limited to as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a modular portable goods-carrying system 10 which includes first and second carriers 12A, 12B on which objects to be transported or stored could be loaded, with the first and second carriers configured to be stackable on top of one another to optimize the available storage space of a goods- carrying apparatus, such as a vehicle, container, or the like. While there are many pallet systems on the market that allow the consolidation of freight, the applicant is unaware of a system that uses spacer legs to allow for multi-layering freight in order to use the space above these pallets, within a particular space. This is especially pertinent to non-uniform shapes and weights of specialized freight. Furthermore, due to the carriers’ 12A, 12B slim design, the system 10 is capable of being knocked-down flat in a compact configuration, which clearly has enormous advantages in a supply chain environment where carriers need to be stored in an efficient manner when not in use.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, any number of carriers could be stacked on top of each other in a spaced apart configuration, as described hereinbefore.

It will further be appreciated that the foregoing example has been provided merely for the purposes of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment only, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. The present invention is also not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular goods-carrying system, comprising: a plurality of elongated spacer members, each spacer member having a first end and an opposing second end; a first carrier having: o an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface, o carrier formations constituting access points for goods-handling equipment to allow the first carrier to be carried by said goods-handling equipment, and o a plurality of first receiving formations adapted for receiving therein the first ends of the plurality of spacer members; and a second carrier having: o an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface, and o a plurality of second receiving formations adapted for receiving therein the second ends of the plurality of spacer members, wherein, operatively, with the spacer members located in the first and second receiving formations the first and second carriers are spaced from each other with the plurality of spacer members disposed between them.

2. The system claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first receiving formations is defined in the operatively upper load bearing surface of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations is defined in the operatively lower surface of the second carrier, wherein the second carrier is stackable on top of the first carrier.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first carrier further has a plurality of first receiving formations defined in its operatively lower surface, and the second carrier further has a plurality of second receiving formations defined in its operatively upper load bearing surface.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first receiving formations is defined adjacent a periphery of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations is defined adjacent a periphery of the second carrier.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first receiving formations is defined adjacent corners of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations is defined adjacent corners of the second carrier.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first receiving formations does not protrude beyond the upper load bearing surface and lower surface of the first carrier, and the plurality of second receiving formations does not protrude beyond the upper load bearing surface and lower surface of the second carrier.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first and second receiving formations include restricting means which limits the depth the plurality of spacer members can be received in the receiving formations.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacer members includes a shoulder formation proximate their respective first and second ends which limits the depth they can be received in the receiving formations.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the upper load bearing surfaces of the first and second carriers includes a sheet defining a plurality of holes over it, for accommodating therein protrusions on a retaining means so as to prevent lateral movement of the retaining means over the sheet.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, including the retaining means that is securable to the sheet by locating its protrusions through the holes in the sheet.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining means comprises a body that is shaped to form an obstruction on the sheet, when secured thereto, so as to restrict the lateral movement of objects over the sheet.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second carriers are rectangular in side view.

13. The system as claimed in claim 3, including at least one barrier which is attachable to the first or second carrier such to extend perpendicularly to the upper load bearing surface and at least partially along the periphery of the first or second carrier.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the barrier is securable between adjacent spacer members, when operatively disposed between the first and second carriers.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13, including a plurality of elongated post members which are locatable in the second receiving formations defined in the upper load bearing surface of the second carrier, with the barrier being securable between adjacent post members.

16. The system as claimed in claim 13, including a plurality of the barriers which, when arranged end-to-end, extend along the periphery of the first or second carrier.

17. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second carriers further includes a plurality of securing formations, in the form of catches, adapted for receiving an elongated securing element by means of which an object operatively supported on the respective carriers is securable thereto.

18. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the carrier formations comprise a pair of channels positioned between the operatively upper and lower surfaces of the first carrier.

19. A carrier for use in a modular goods carrying system, said carrier comprising: an operatively upper load bearing surface for carrying at least one object and an opposing operatively lower surface; - carrier formations constituting access points for goods-handling equipment to allow the carrier to be carried by said goods-handling equipment; and a plurality of receiving formations adapted for receiving therein ends of a plurality of elongated spacer members.

20. The carrier as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of receiving formations may be defined in the operatively upper load bearing surface and in the operatively lower surface, adjacent a periphery of the carrier.

21. The carrier as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of receiving formations does not protrude beyond the upper load bearing surface and lower surface.

22. The carrier as claimed in claim 19, wherein the upper load bearing surface includes a sheet defining a plurality of holes over it, for accommodating therein protrusions on a retaining means so as to prevent lateral movement of the retaining means over the sheet.

23. The carrier as claimed in claim 19, including a plurality of securing formations, in the form of catches, adapted for receiving an elongated securing element by means of which an object operatively supported on the carriers is securable thereto.

24. The carrier as claimed in claim 19, wherein the carrier formations comprise a pair of channels positioned between the operatively upper and lower surfaces.