Modular Container

• US 20110147385A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kipper Tool
• Original Assignee: Kipper Tool
• Inventors: Forrest, Paul Bradley
• Application Number:
  US12/645,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20110147385A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/324
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/023 movable relative to one another for access to their interiors
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/46 Local reinforcements, e.g. adjacent closures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/48 Reinforcements of dissimilar materials, e.g. metal frames in plastic walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/26 Local reinforcements, e.g. adjacent to closures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/28 Metal reinforcements, e.g. metal frames

Abstract

A modular container assembly includes a base and a lid configured to be removably coupled to the base to form a containment area. At least one corner brace is attached to the base adjacent a first corner to strengthen the base. An access channel is formed in the first corner of the base and extends beneath the corner brace to provide clearance behind the brace.

Claims

1. A modular container assembly comprising:

a base;

a lid configured to be removably coupled to the base to form a containment area;

a corner brace attached to the base adjacent a first corner to strengthen the base; and

a clearance channel formed in the first corner of the base and extending beneath the corner brace to provide clearance behind the brace.

2. The modular container assembly of claim 1 wherein the clearance channel comprises an elongated recess formed in the base to extend at least partially along the first corner.

3. The modular container assembly of claim 2 wherein the elongated recess is formed to include an angled surface.

4. The modular container assembly of claim 1 wherein the corner brace comprises:

first and second end sections configured to fixedly attach to adjacent portions of the sidewall of the base; and

an intermediate section disposed between the first and second end sections and spanning the clearance channel.

5. The modular container assembly of claim 4 wherein the first and second end sections are further attached to a bottom surface of the base.

6. The modular container assembly of claim 4 further comprising an opening formed in the intermediate section of the brace and over the access cavity.

7. The modular container assembly of claim 6 wherein the opening is sized to receive an end of a tie down.

8. The modular container assembly of claim 6 wherein the opening provides a lifting point used to lift the container.

9. The modular container assembly of claim 1 wherein the base includes an indentation formed in the first corner shaped to receive the corner brace.

10. The modular container assembly of claim 1 further comprising a wheel assembly attached to the brace.

11. The modular container assembly of claim 10 wherein the wheel assembly comprises:

a bracket configured to attach to an exterior surface of the corner brace; and

a wheel having an axle that rotatably connects the wheel to the base, the corner brace, and the bracket.

12. The modular container assembly of claim 11 wherein the corner brace and the bracket include corresponding through-holes that receive a terminal end of the axle.

13. The modular container assembly of claim 11 further comprising a pair of bushings sized to connect the terminal ends of the axle to the base and the bracket to absorb shock.

14. The modular connector of claim 1 further comprising a latch to secure the lid to the base, the latch comprising an arm extending from an actuator on the latch to the container.

15. The modular connector of claim 14 wherein the arm comprises slot formed at one end to receive a lock that prevents opening the latch.

16. The modular connector of claim 1 wherein the corner brace comprises a first corner brace, and further comprising:

a second corner brace attached to the base adjacent a second corner to strengthen the base; and

a second clearance channel formed in the second corner of the base and extending beneath the second corner brace to provide clearance behind the second brace.

17. The modular connector of claim 16 further comprising a wheel assembly fixedly attached to the second corner brace.

18. The modular connector of claim 1 further comprising an opening formed in the corner brace over the clearance channel configured to receive a tie down.

19. The modular connector of claim 1 further comprising a gasket to seal the lid and the base.

20. A modular container assembly comprising:

a base having a plurality of corners;

a lid configured to be removably coupled to the base to form a containment area;

a corner brace attached to each corner of the base to strengthen the base;

a clearance channel formed in each corner of the base and extending beneath the corresponding corner brace to provide clearance behind the corresponding corner brace; and

a pair wheels respectively attached to first and second corner braces to permit movement of the container over an underlying ground surface.