Modifiable containers and interconnectors

• US 9,487,351 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jointainer LLC
• Original Assignee: Jointainer LLC
• Inventors: Barnes, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Quast, Elizabeth A
• Application Number:
  US14/124,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20160023844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/022 in multiple arrangement, e.g. stackable, nestable, connected or joined together side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0006 Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers coupling devices between containers and vehicles B60P7/13
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0013 Twist lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of shipping containers. Specifically, the present invention provides for an apparatus for enabling two non-standard shipping containers to be interconnected to form a standard shipping container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for modifying shipping containers, said apparatus comprising:

a connectable end frame, comprising a top cross bar, a first frame upright, a second frame upright, and a bottom cross bar,

wherein said top cross connects the top of said first frame upright to the top of said second frame upright,

wherein said bottom cross bar connects the bottom of said first frame upright to the bottom of said second frame upright,

wherein said connectable end frame is configured with one or more connection points; and

one or more connector strap, comprising of a liquid diverting system, wherein each of said one or more connector strap reversibly engages with one or more of said one or more connection points,

wherein said liquid diverting system is comprised of a liquid draining slit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more connection flaps, wherein said one or more connection flaps are used to connect a first frame upright and a second frame upright of a first shipping container to a first frame upright and a second frame upright of a second shipping container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in said one or more connector strap is further comprised of a secondary locking mechanism.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said secondary locking mechanism is further comprised of one or more locking hooks.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said secondary locking mechanism is further comprised of a locking hook engagement handle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid diverting system is further comprised of a liquid diverting ledge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connectable end frame further comprises of rubber tubing attached to one or more of said first frame upright, said second frame upright, said top cross bar and said bottom cross bar.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more hinges for an end panel is attached to one or more frame uprights selected from a group of frame uprights comprising said first frame upright and said second frame upright.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom cross bar of said connectable end frame is further configured with a floor extension plate.

3. The apparatus of 1, wherein said one or more connector strap comprises of a twist-lock apparatus.