Modular shipping container

• US 5,765,707 A
• Filed: 05/08/1995
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy Paul Kenevan
• Original Assignee: Timothy Paul Kenevan
• Inventors: Kenevan, Timothy Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Castellano, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US08/436,710
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.28, 220/4.31, 220/683, 220/23.4, 220/23.83, 220/23.86, 206/504
• US Class Current: 220/4.28
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/18 collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/1873 all walls are detached from each other to collapse the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0204 and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements

Abstract

A modular container for use in shipping is disclosed. The container includes a floor element, a plurality of upstanding frame members which are positioned about the floor element, and a plurality of wall panels. The wall panels are associated with the frame members to form the sidewalls of the container. A cover is positioned atop the frame members. The floor element is fitted with tab extensions and recess openings which facilitate the interlocking of a plurality of floor elements to form a floor element assembly. Likewise, the cover is fitted with tab extensions and recess openings which facilitate the interlocking of a plurality of covers to form a cover assembly. The container is includes a strap arrangement which permits the floor element and the cover to be urged into abutment against the frame elements and the wall panels thereby forming a container. The invention discloses a structure for interconnecting a plurality of floor elements, covers, frame elements and wall panels to form a variety of dimensionally unique containers adapted for storing articles of varied dimensions.

Claims

1. A container for use in transporting cargo, said container comprising:

a floor;

a cover;

a plurality of upstanding frame elements positioned on said floor, said plurality of upstanding frame elements including a first frame element and a second frame element positioned contiguous to one another, said first frame element and said second frame element each defining a channel therein;

a plurality of panel members, each of said panel members being mechanically associated with two of said frame elements;

each of said frame elements having a first end and a second end, said first frame element and said second frame element each including means for receiving and retaining two of said panel members;

a water seal means for interconnecting said first frame element and said second frame element, said water seal means comprising an elongate strip detachably received in said channel defined in said first frame element and said second frame element, said elongate strip being configured to be slid into said channel of each of said first and second frame elements;

floor interconnection means for detachably interconnecting said first end of each of said frame elements to said floor;

cover interconnection means for detachably interconnecting said second end of each of said frame elements to said cover;

said cover being positioned on said frame elements;

said floor, frame members, panel members and cover forming an enclosure about an interior configured to receive and store cargo; and

compression means for urging said floor toward said cover wherein said floor and said cover are urged into abutment against said frame members.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving and retaining two of said panel members, includes a first slot and a second slot defined in said frame member, each said slot being configured to receive and retain a respective said panel member.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein each of said slots defines an axis coinciding with a direction of insertion of a panel member into said slot, wherein said axis of said first slot is oriented ninety degrees from said axis of said second slot.