MODULAR CARGO CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLES

• US 3,797,691 A
• Filed: 05/10/1972
• Issued: 03/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John E. Williams Jr
• Original Assignee: John E. Williams Jr
• Inventors: Williams, John E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lowrance, George E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pollard, Steven M.
• Application Number:
  US05/251,969
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 220/1.5,4,6,23.6,23.4,23.2,23.83,97R,97C,97D 214/10.5 108/55
• US Class Current: 220/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/16 Collapsible pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00373 whereby at least one spacer is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00497 whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00601 separately formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00661 side walls maintained connected to pallet by means of auxiliary locking elements, e.g. spring loaded locking pins
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00731 separately formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0091 whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0096 when empty
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00965 when loaded
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/027 single containers connected to each other by additional means so as to form a cluster of containers, e.g. a battery of containers B65D88/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/129 Transporter frames for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/56 by tilting

Abstract

A container consists of a plurality of modules interconnected one to another to form a preselected, standard size assembly to permit the movement thereof through existing transportation systems as a unit. Break apart features between the several modules facilitate the handling and loading thereof at times other than during shipment. Also each module is so constructed as to permit folding for stacking and packing to minimize its space requirements when empty.

Claims

1. A modular cargo container for transport vehicles comprising:

multiple modules of predetermined size adapted to be disposed in abutment one with another, each of said modules being formed by a base pallet, an upstanding, overlying cover cooperating with said pallet to define a cargo containing area and at least one releaseable interlocking engagement between said cover and said pallet; and

a releaseable frame in abutment and surrounding all of said modules when disposed in abutment as aforesaid to retain them in a single, compact group against relative movement, said frame being disposed adjacent said module base pallets within recesses provided therein with the external surfaces of said frame lying in the plane of the adjacent pallet edges and including engagement elements adapted to cooperate with complemental elements, whereby said group may be alternatively connected to a transport vehicle, to handling equipment and to another modular cargo container.

2. The container of claim 1 including complementary fittings carried by said frame and at least some of said modules adapted to interengage when onE said group is superimposed upon another with the perimetric surfaces thereof aligned to prevent relative movement of said groups.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein each said module fitting includes a lug mounted on said cover for extension and retraction therefrom and a notch in said cover to accommodate said lug when retracted so as to occupy a position within the plane of the external cover surface.

4. The container of claim 2 including a plurality of vertical posts each having a length substantially equal to the aggregate height of said superimposed groups, each of said posts defining a surface corresponding to the adjacent perimetric surfaces aforesaid for continuous abutment therewith;

and releasable engagements between each of said posts, said frames and the associated modules.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet is rectangular and each said cover includes four sides interconnected one to the next by a hinge and a lid hinged to the upper surface of one of said sides whereby said cover may be collapsed by folding two of said sides into abutment with each other and the lid against one of said sides when each of said interlocking engagements is released and the cover separated from said pallet.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet includes a pair of sheets interconnected by spacers located at selected intervals to establish passageways therebetween and said recesses are formed by the adjacent surfaces of said sheets and said spacers.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein the lower of said sheets has a perimetric dimension less than that of the upper of said sheets and the adjacent surface of said frame abuts the edge of said lower sheet.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein each said pallet and said frame is rectangular and including a cross frame member releaseably engaging opposite sides of said frame and in continuous abutment with adjacent sides of said pallets.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein each said pallet includes a pair of spaced interconnected sheets, the lower of which has a perimetric dimension that is less than that of the upper of said sheets and said cross frame member is disposed within the confines of the adjacent upper and lower sheets.

10. The container of claim 2 wherein each said pallet is rectangular and each said cover includes four interconnected sides disposed vertically relative to said pallet and a lid hinged to the upper edge of one of said sides adapted to abut the edges of the remaining three sides, and wherein said complementary fittings include a generally triangular plate carried by said frame at each corner thereof having a slot and a lug carried by each said lid corresponding in shape to said lug for insertion therein.