Stable platform shipping container

• US 4,015,715 A
• Filed: 01/23/1974
• Issued: 04/05/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Kelf, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lowrance, George E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farrow, Douglas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/436,004
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 206/386, 206/521, 206/522, 248/18, 248/20-23, 220/1.5
• US Class Current: 206/521
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/126 by rigid element, e.g. lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/129 Transporter frames for containers
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/0232 with at least one gas spring F16F15/027 takes precedence

Abstract

A shipping container including a cover and a base wherein the base includes support platform that is supported on its corners by four pneumatic springs. The pneumatic springs are mounted at an angle to provide three-dimensional shock and vibration isolation of the platform. The platform is tuned and is selected to have a predetermined weight to provide vibration isolation for shipped objects having a weight range of from about zero to a predetermined maximum weight. An air accumulator and manifold are employed in cooperation with the pneumatic springs to provide the desired pneumatic spring characteristic such as reduced stiffness and reduced natural frequency.

Claims

1. A shipping container comprising:

a. a base having a bottom member and four side wall members and four corner sections beveled at about 30°

to the bottom member;

b. a platform;

c. spring bias means for operably connecting said platform to said base;

d. said spring bias means comprises four pneumatic springs;

e. said platform having four corners wherein one pneumatic spring is mounted between each corner and said base to support said platform in compression;

f. each of said pneumatic springs on one of said beveled corners being mounted with the axis of said spring being about perpendicular to said corner;

g. said platform has a preselected weight of about 800 pounds wherein said platform and said pneumatic springs are tuned to isolate said platform from shock and vibration when supporting a cargo having a weight range of from about 0 to about 800 pounds;

h. an air accumulator being operably connected to each of said pneumatic springs;

i. means for increasing the air pressure in said springs and accumulator with increased cargo weight and for decresing the air pressure in said springs and accumulator with decreased cargo weight;

j. first and second spaced apart bottom support members being operably connected to the exterior of said bottom member; and

k. first and second spaced apart longitudinal members being operably connected to the interior of said bottom member and are about perpendicular to said first and second spaced apart bottom support members.

2. A shipping container comprising:

a. a base having a bottom member and four side wall members and four corner sections beveled at a preselected angle to the bottom member;

b. a platform;

c. four pneumatic springs;

d. said platform having four corners wherein one of said pneumatic springs is mounted between each corner and said base to support said platform in compression;

e. each of said pneumatic springs on one of said beveled corners being mounted with the axis of said spring being about perpendicular to said corner;

f. said platform has a preselected weight wherein said platform and said pneumatic springs are tuned to isolate said platform from shock and vibration when supporting a cargo having a weight range of from about 0 to about said preselected weight;

g. an air accumulator being operably connected to each of said pneumatic springs; and

h. means for increasing the air pressure in said springs and accumulator with increased cargo weight and for decreasing the air pressure in said springs and accumulator with decreased cargo weight.