GB2376014A - Folding flatrack with outward bracing - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), with inset folding corner posts (13), and attendant outboard end bracing frames (33), is configured for outward splay, for overhead loading or unloading and provides compact collapse folding, of both posts (13) and bracing frames (33), upon a platform base (14). The corner posts may fold inwardly or outwardly or both (Fig. 1B) and can be telescopic (Fig. 1C). The corner posts may have transverse bracing 35.

Description

Collapsible Flat-Rack With End Extension This invention relates to

containers, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with platform base containers, or so-called 'flat-racks'.

5 Terminology The term container is used herein to embrace any configuration, whether open or closed.

That said, open top containers - allowing top or side (un)loading, whilst preserving an end (un)loading 10 facility - are of particular concern.

The term 'collapsible" embraces folding of superstructure, such as posts with handling fittings, into a compact form, upon or within a base platform.

This is in turn allows compact stacking with other 15 such collapsed forms - for economical return-empty storage and transport.

Syntax For conciseness of expression, items in brackets, vis [...], represent optional features, characteristics, 20 qualifiers or constraints.

Background - Platform Extension

In the field of collapsible flat-racks there is an

increasing demand for containers longer than the traditional some 20ft and 40ft.

25 Flat-rack containers cannot be made longer - say to some 45ft, as certain markets now require - without compliance with established handling constraints.

Handling devices currently used worldwide are either fixed in length (span), or limited to some 20ft or 40ft.

30 Flat-rack extension is not simply a matter of moving corner posts and end frames.

Thus, even if the base of a collapsible flat-rack were

À -. .

- -..

r À r C o- extended to some 45ft, the [end frame] corner posts must remain at the some 40ft handling position.

Moreover, in doing so, the corner posts and end frames must not obstruct (un)loading.

5 End Frames Typical flat-racks of 40ft length have end frames at each end, with an end wall or other structure bridging between opposite corner posts.

Such an end frame would be quite unsuitable when 10 located at the' inset'40ft position of a 45ft flat-rack.

It would obstruct the sort of elongate cargo - such as pipes, timbers, or steel bars - which require the full unobstructed length of 45ft flatracks.

Thus corner posts must have minimal, if any, 1 5 intervening structure.

Flat-racks also require (folding) corner posts, which can be locked rigidly in an upright position in relation to a deck platform.

Unfortunately, with intermediate corner posts, as with 20 a 45ft container, there are no end sills adjacent the corner posts, for convenient location of a known post base locking device.

Another desirable feature of collapsible flat-racks is that folded end frames, corner posts or other 25 structures should lie in close juxtaposition upon, if not flush within, the base floor.

This allows platform bases to be used for carrying other types of cargo where corner posts and end frame superstructure would otherwise be in the way.

30 Longitudinal and/or transverse orientated deck platform recesses may be employed for this.

Vehicle Carriage For vehicle carriage upon collapsible flat-racks, 'drive on/off'end loading access is desirable.

35 However, corner post obstruction necessitates that a

r O r vehicle is crane-lifted onto the platform, rather than wheeled on/off from one end between such posts.

Thus, corner post or super-structure re-disposition away from vehicle loading would be advantageous.

5 Statement of Invention

Inset [Corner] Posts According to one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), with inset folding corner posts (13) 10 and attendant outboard end bracing frames (33), is configured to allow collapse folding, of both posts (13) and bracing frames (33), upon a platform base (14).

An end frame could be configured as an open lattice 15 space frame, with diagonal bracing.

The end frame could carry a (re)movable in-fill panel, to serve as an end access door or (un)loading ramp.

To preserve load clearance, a more slender form of inset corner post could be contrived.

20 In particular, the transverse depth of individual posts could be sacrificed, to promote (un)loading clearance, in favour of greater longitudinal depth, provided consistent with post folding upon or within the platform deck profile.

25 Double-acting post pivot hinges (18) could allow either outward post splay, to facilitate (un)loading access, or inward collapse folding, upon a platform base (14).

A transverse header beam (35), could be disposed 30 between posts (13).

A transverse sill (36) could be fitted between lower ends of opposed posts (13), to create an integrated overall 'U'-frame structure.

A double-action counterbalance spring bias (45), 35 could be set between base chassis (12) and post (13), to support post weight, upon either post outward splay, or inward collapse folding upon base

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platform (14).

Posts could be of adjustable span - for example telescopic. End bracing frames could be reconfigurable, and/or 5 extensible, to accommodate post extendibility.

Embodiments There now follows a description of some particular

embodiments of collapsible, extended flat-racks according to the invention, by way of example only, 10 with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1A shows a perspective fragmentary view of one end of an extended collapsible flatrack, with opposed corner posts inset from an extended deck 15 platform end and an attendant outboard end bracing and support frame between posts and deck end; Figure 1 B shows an alternative post base mounting and opposed leaf spring pivot bias arrangement to that of Figure 1A; 20 Figure 1C shows a telescopic extendible post head; Figures 2A through 2C show a facility for post and attendant end bracing and support frame re disposition; thus: Figures 2A and 2B show post and end frame outward 25 tilt or splay, for overhead (un)loading access; More specifically: Figure 2A shows a side elevation of an inset post and end frame of Figure 1, in a fully-erected, generally upright or vertical disposition; and 30 Figure 2B shows the post and end frame of Figure 2A in an outward splayed condition, upon release of an upper pivot capture pin from a diagonal stay; Figure 2C shows complete inward collapse folding of a post and end frame, upon release of a lower pivot 35 capture pin from a diagonal stay;

.. r - À ... I, Figure 3A shows, on a reduced scale, an overall side elevation of a collapsible flat-rack, with an extended platform deck, inset corner posts, and attendant bracing and support end frames - with one end 5 (depicted to the left-hand of the illustration) erected, and the opposite end (depicted to the right hand of the illustration) collapsed upon the platform deck; Figure 3B shows an upper plan view of the flat-rack of Figure 3A; 10 Figure 4A shows an end elevation of an erect end frame of Figures 3A and 3B, with a bottom-hinged door panel serving as an end (un)loading ramp; Figure 4B shows an intermediate deck section to Figure 4A, showing longitudinal chassis rails and 15 intervening transverse deck beams, supporting a platform deck, with lateral deck load confinement and restraint struts; Figure 5 shows a side elevation of multiple stacked, fully-collapsed (ie corner posts and bracing frames 20 folded down upon the platform deck at both ends) flat- racks of Figures 3A and 3B; Referring to Figure 1, a collapsible 'flat- rack', or platform deck container 11 features an extended (is somewhat longer than standard 40ft length) 25 rectangular platform base 14 mounted upon longitudinal side chassis rails 12.

The platform base 14 is surmounted by what are referred to as 'corner' posts 13 - consistent with terminology for conventional flat-racks.

30 In fact, the corner posts 13 are somewhat inset from, the corners of the deck 14 end extremities, by some one half the overall deck length extension.

Thus the corner posts 13 remain at the standard some 40ft span of a conventional flat-rack.

35 The bases of the corner posts 13 are mounted upon the chassis rails 12 of the platform deck 14 by two way pivot hinges 18, for folding, vis: À outward tilt or splay, as depicted in Figure

2B, for overhead (un)loading access; and À inward collapse folding, to lie along the platform deck 14, as depicted in Figure 2C.

In either case, (at least a proportion of) post 13 5 weight is taken by a double-acting bias spring, such as coil spring 45, set upon a longitudinal chassis rail 12 alongside the post base, as described later.

The platform deck 14 ends protrude somewhat beyond the standard 40 ft span between corner 1 0 posts 13, to give an overall span of some 45 foot.

Opposite posts 13 are desirably united at their bottom ends by a transverse sill member 36, in a rigid U'-section assembly, to fold together.

Alternatively, or additionally, the upper ends of 1 5 opposite posts 13 are bridged by a transverse header beam 35.

The header beam 35 can be secured to an upper extendible post head 37 (per Fig 1 C), or to the upper end of a non-extendible corner post 13 portion.

20 Header beam 35 also serves as a convenient pick-up point for post 13 end bracing.

The posts 13 have top end fittings 37, for standard overhead crane and sling capture and handling.

Opposite corner posts 13 at each deck 14 end are 25 supported by attendant end bracing frames 33.

Bracing frames 33 comprise a stiff, open lattice space-frame, with a fixed-aperture, rectangular end frame 17, entrained by upper longitudinal pivot links 29 to the header 35 and thus post 13 upper ends.

30 Links 29 are pivoted at one end to an upper transverse beam of end frame 17 and at their other end to a pivot 32 with the header 35.

Diagonal bracing spreader links 34, form a'Y'-yoke, sharing a common pivot connection 31 at one (inner) 35 end, and spanning between an upper transverse member of end frame 17 and outer ends of header beam 35, where they unite with ends of links 29

rat: À - -. r - ' through shared pivots 32.

The bottom of end frame 17 is mounted upon a pivot 15, itself carried by a follower link 43, in turn pivot mounted at 44 upon a longitudinal chassis rail 12.

5 The overall fink configuration has elements of a parallelogram geometry, allowing end frame 33 to ride' upward and lean over the posts 13.

This end frame 33 re-disposition accommodates both outward post 13 splay and inward collapse fold 1 0 upon platform base 14.

Such post 13 folding is subject to release of diagonal bracing 19, from upper or lower end pivot couplings 39, 46 respectively.

Diagonal Post Bracing 1 5 Laterally of the end frame 17, a diagonal strut 19 spans from a (releasable) pivot coupling pin 46 with chassis rail 12 to a (releasable) coupling pin 39 in a guide channel, set upon one side of a post 13 intermediate the full post height.

20 Outward Post Splay Upon release of strut 19, by releasing upper coupling pin 39, its upper end is free to travel within the confines of guide 38, allowing a post 13 to cant or tilt outward somewhat, as depicted in Figure 2B.

25 An abutment stop (not shown) at one upper end of the guide 38, limits travel of link 19 upper end and thus the extent of outward lean of post 13.

Collapse Fold Through the provision of additional follower link 43, 30 bracing frames 33 can lozenge and collapse fold overall, entirely along with the posts 13, as depicted in Figures 2C, 3A & 3B and 5.

This would require uncoupling of the pivot coupling 46 of link 19 - which can simply lie alongside post 13.

35 The 'Split elements of pivot coupling 46 are referenced 46A and 46B in Figure 2C.

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r. .... ó À À . Supplementary Diagonal Bracing A corresponding, but opposed diagonal bracing link 49, can be fitted to the opposite side of post 13 - and similarly can be uncoupled for post folding through 5 arc 'C', and laid upon the deck 14 as depicted at 49'.

Deck recesses could accommodate such temporarily disabled bracing links, or the links could simply lie alongside a chassis rail 12.

Thus, longitudindal recesses 48 are depicted to 10 accommodate lateral restraint stanchions.

Similarly, (optional) transverse recess 47 is depicted in broken outline, in Figures 1A and 2B, to accommodate header beam 35 and/or end frame 17.

Indeed, the entire post 13 and end frame assembly 15 33 could be accommodated in deck recesses, but this is not essential - rather folded super-structure can simply overlie, in compact form, deck platform 14.

The bottom ends of the corner posts 13 sit somewhat below the floor level of platform deck 14 20 allowing fitment of a base sill 36, base hinge 18 and providing purchase for bias spring action.

Post Folding & Hinge Pivot Mounting A hinge 18 can be of known lockable construction, to hold a corner post 13 upright or vertical, against 25 longitudinal forces, such as denoted by arrow 'B'.

A double or two-way action hinge pivot mounting 18 allows corner post 13 to be inward collapse-folded down upon the base platform 14, or canted outward.

When an under sill 36 is fitted between post 13 30 bases, it rotates along with the posts 13, but remains below the surface of platform deck 14, and between the hinge 18 points with longitudinal chassis rails 12.

The purpose of the sill 36 is structurally to tie together opposite corner posts 13, at or near the 35 common hinge pivot axis, to create an integrated overall 'U'-frame assembly.

.- o À.

e- Thus, when a lateral racking force, such as denoted by arrow 'A', is applied to a top corner fitting 37 of a post 13, it is resisted by a structure comprising corner post 13, sill 36 and, through hinges 18, chassis 12.

5 Post Counterbalance Post pivot support bias, or counterbalance allows manual post 13 movement, even though, typically the posts 13 weigh together around half a tonne.

A double-acting, counterbalance spring 45, fitted 10 alongside chassis rail 12, takes the weight of post 13, for safe manual handling.

An alternative counterbalancing system is shown in the zoom detail of Figure 1 B. This utilises opposed leaf springs 51, with their 15 outboard ends secured at 53 to a longitudinal deck chassis beam 12, and their inboard ends bearing upon profiled cam lugs 52, at opposite sides of a post 13 base, above the intermediate pivot hinge 18.

End Load Restraint 20 A (re)movable end door in-fill panel 16 is mounted within the end frame 17 and is bottom hinged, as shown in Figure 4A, to allow outward folding, in an end loading ramp configuration, as depicted by broken line 16'in Figure 1A.

25 End wall frame 17 and door panel 16 provide end containment and restraint against cargo egress, and to that end can be further reinforced, say, by diagonal bracing, tension ties (not shown).

Any end wall panel, gate or ramp, simply sits within 30 the confines of the folded post and frame structure as depicted in Figure 3B.

Slender Beam Profile Generally, beam cross-sectional forms and sizes, and the transverse depths of posts 13 are relatively 35 slender, to minimise intrusion upon load space and maximise load clearance.

Similarly, (slender) posts 13 are (pivotally) mounted

.-.. r - l À À -. .. s À À.

. - to the sides of longitudinal chassis rails 12, for lateral bracing and greater utilisation of deck 14 span.

Telescopic Post As depicted in Figure 1C, posts 13, and in particular 5 their upper ends, could be extendible - eg telescopic - for temporary greater overhead load clearance.

Thus a header beam 35 carried upon extendible post ends could move upwards as a whole, subject to accommodation by bracing frame 33 re- disposition or 1 0 re-configuration.

Generally, the relative longitudinal spacing of posts and attendant end bracing frames, along with inset diagonal bracing and optional supplementary bracing, provides a stiff overall structure, without 15 undue weight penalty - yet one which can still be collapse folded for return-empty stacking modes.

The facility for even modest outward post splay gives greater leeway in overhead loading clearance.

With careful handling, post splay could allow longer 20 (than 40 ft post span, and up to say 45 ft extended platform length) loads to be 'shuffled' longitudinally into place between posts and end frames.

In post folding and counterbalance configuration or geometry refinements, the bottom ends of post 25 could be cranked or offset, to bring a pivot hinge axis offset from a post centre-line.

Component List 1 1 platform base container or flat-rack 12 longitudinal chassis rail 30 13 corner posts 14 deck platform 1 5 pivot 1 6 in-fill panel 17 end frame 35 18 pivot hinge 19 diagonal brace 29 pivot link 3 1 pivot

.. _ r, À À A L 32 pivot 33 end bracing and support frame 34 diagonal bracing link 35 header beam 5 36 sill 37 end fitting 38 guide 39 lock pin 40 pivot 10 43 link 44 pivot mounted 4 5 counterbalance spring 46 pivot coupling 49 opposed diagonal bracing link 15 49' folded opposed diagonal bracing link 51 leaf spring 52 cam lugs 53 spring mounting

Claims (1)

1. À - .. q.. at to Claims

   1. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), with inset folding corner posts (13), 5 and attendant outboard end bracing frames (33), configured to allow collapse folding, of both posts (13) and bracing frames (33).

   upon a platform base (14).

   2. 1 0 A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (1 1), as claimed in Claim 1, with double-acting post pivot hinges (18), to allow either outward post splay, to facilitate (un)loading access, 15 or inward collapse folding, upon a platform base (14) A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in either of the preceding claims, 20 with a transverse header beam (35), disposed between posts (13).

   4. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, 25 with a transverse sill (36), between lower ends of opposed posts (13), to create an integrated overall 'U'- frame structure.

   5. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with double-action counterbalance spring bias, 5 set between base chassis (12) and post (13), to support post weight, upon either post outward splay, or inward collapse folding upon base platform (14).

   6. 10 A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with posts of adjustable span.

   7. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), 15 as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with telescopic adjustable posts.

   8. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, 20 with end bracing frames reconfigurable, and/or extensible, to accommodate post extendibility.

   9. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack 25 substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), with inset folding corner posts (13), and attendant outboard end bracing frames (19, 33), with pivot hinges (15,18, 46), on post and bracing frames, configured to allow both outward post splay, to facilitate (un)loading access, and inward collapse folding of post and bracing frames, upon a platform base (14).

   2. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in Claim 1, with transverse header beam (35), disposed between posts (13).

   3. A collapsible platform base or flat-rack (11), as claimed in either of the preceding claims, with a transverse sill (36), between lower ends of opposed posts (,13), to create an integrated overall 'U'-frame structure.

   4. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with double-action counterbalance spring bias, set between base chassis (12) and post (13), to support post weight, upon either post outward splay, or inward collapse folding upon base platform (14).

   5. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with posts of adjustable span.

   6. A collapsible platform based container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with telescopic adjustable posts.

   7. A collapsible platform base container or flat-rack (11), as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with end bracing frames reconfigurable, and/or extensible, to accommodate post extendibility.

   8. A collapsible platform based container or flat-rack substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. 1$