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(11) | EP 3 626 477 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DOCUMENT CONTAINER |
| (57) A document container (12) comprises a body (14) and a lid (16). The 14 is provided
with a seat (18) adapted for receiving documents and an opening (20) adapted for the
passage of documents between the outside and a position in said seat (18). The lid
(16) is adapted to engage the opening (20) to close it and prevent the passage of
said documents. The body (14) comprises a plurality of fixing seats (22) adapted to
be engaged by at least two expansion inserts (24) having a threaded inner hole (26),
to determine a plurality of fixing configurations.
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FIELD OF APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention relates to a document container. In particular, the present invention relates to a document container adapted to be fixed to a trailer of a motor vehicle.
PRIOR ART
[0002] As is known, there are many types of document containers intended to be used attached to a trailer. For example, cylindrical containers are known, in which the documents are rolled up, and containers having substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the documents can be inserted without being rolled up. Both formats have specific advantages with respect to certain usage conditions.
[0003] The containers are rigid and can be made, for example, of rigid polymeric material, a material that ensures a good compromise between container strength and weight containment.
[0004] In any case, the containers must:
- be sufficiently resistant to withstand the stresses to which they are subjected;
- ensure the impermeability of the area destined to receive the documents;
- have a safety lock that prevents accidental opening of the container; and
- they must ensure a rigid, safe and resistant connection with the portion of the trailer on which they must be fixed.
[0006] For example, with reference to the connection with the trailer, it is known to fix the container by means of screws on a support bracket integral with the trailer.
[0007] In this regard, the containers of the prior art comprise two threaded seats for fixing screws suitable for engaging respective holes on the fixing bracket. This fixing system has the main drawback of needing a dedicated bracket arranged with the corresponding holes in the correct position.
[0008] Furthermore, it is necessary to fix the container only in the defined position and it is not suitable to be quickly fixed in other positions on the trailer following specific requirements.
[0009] Again, in the case in which the container has been used for a long time and has been subjected to blows, for example during loading operations, or to atmospheric agents such as rain, hail, temperature changes, the portions of the container that cooperate with the screws may wear to such a point as to compromise the fixing of the container to the trailer.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The need to solve at least partly the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art is therefore felt.
[0011] Therefore the need is felt to provide a container that can be easily fixed in different ways and in different positions, depending on the fixing brackets already present on the trailer.
[0012] Moreover, the need is felt to provide a container that can be disassembled and re-attached to a trailer even after prolonged use, in which it has been subjected to blows or atmospheric agents.
[0013] Furthermore, the need is felt for a document container which can be moved from one trailer to another, and which can therefore be adapted to cooperate for its own fixing with brackets having different configurations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:
- figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a document container according to the present invention;
- figure 2 schematically shows a front view of a document container according to the present invention;
- figures 3, 4 and 5 schematically show possible embodiments of a component of the present invention;
- figure 6 schematically shows a lateral view of a document container according to the present invention; and
- figure 7 schematically shows a perspective view of a document container according to the present invention in a possible use configuration.
[0016] Elements or parts of elements in common to the embodiments described below are referred to with the same reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The body 14 is provided with a seat 18 adapted to receive documents and an opening 20 adapted to the passage of documents between the outside and a position in said seat 18.
[0020] The lid 16 is adapted to engage the opening 20 to close it and prevent the passage of said documents.
[0021] The body 14 comprising a plurality of fixing seats 22 adapted to be engaged by at least two expansion inserts 24 having a threaded inner hole 26, to determine a plurality of fixing configurations.
[0022] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the body 14 and the lid 16 are made of rigid polymeric material.
[0023] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, connection means 15 may be provided between the body 14 and the lid 16 to allow disengagement of the lid 16 from the body 14, while maintaining a connection. In this way, it is possible to prevent the lid from falling to the ground during a step of inserting documents into the seat 18. However, since they are connection means of the type known per se, and not being the specific object of the present description, they will not be further described.
[0024] The document container 12 may comprise a substantially cylindrical body 14 having a longitudinal axis X.
[0025] According to possible alternative embodiments, the body 14 may have a cross-section such as elliptical, hexagonal, polygonal, etc.
[0026] In this discussion, longitudinal axis X will mean the direction of the axis of the cylinder that determines the body 14. While a radial direction will mean a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing through said longitudinal axis.
[0027] According to a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention, body 14 and lid 16 form a document container 13 in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.
[0028] Advantageously, the document container 13 may also have other shapes, depending for example on the space available on the trailer.
[0029] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of fixing seats 22 is arranged on the outer surface of the body, and the fixing seats 22 are aligned along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X.
[0030] The body 14 may comprise a support 28 protruding in a radial direction and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X, on which the fixing seats 22 are arranged.
[0031] Advantageously, the support 28 may be made integrally with the body 14. In particular, it may be made of the same material as the body 14 and may be obtained directly with the body 14.
[0032] According to a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention, body 14 and support 28 may be made separately and subsequently joined together, for example by gluing, welding, or similar processes.
[0033] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the support 28 has a coupling surface 30 on which said plurality of fixing seats 22 is arranged, and having a lying plane perpendicular to the radial direction.
[0034] The coupling surface 30 may therefore couple with a fixing bracket which is flat towards the coupling surface itself. In this case, the mutual positioning between the holes can be evaluated by sliding the two surfaces with respect to one another, for example in a longitudinal direction.
[0035] In this case, the choice of the holes on which to fasten the fixing screws is facilitated and can be decided based on specific needs.
[0036] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, each expansion insert 24 comprises a stem with a knurled portion 32.
[0037] According to alternative embodiments, the stem may comprise at least one lateral projection adapted to allow the positioning of the expansion insert 24 inside the seat, and suitable to prevent an easy extraction thereof.
[0038] According to a possible embodiment, the stem may comprise at least two expandable wings 34, 36, which are adapted to open during the screwing of a fixing screw into said threaded inner hole 26.
[0039] Advantageously, the expansion inserts are inserted inside the respective seat by applying a certain force necessary to slide the knurling onto the surface of the seat. Once the container is fixed by means of the screws, the expandable wings open, further increasing the grip of the insert on the inner surface of the seat.
[0041] Advantageously, each expansion insert 24 comprises a stem having three expandable wings 34, 36, on which a knurling is present at least on a portion of the outer surface thereof.
[0042] According to a possible alternative embodiment, the radial expansion of the insert may be obtained with an insert having a longitudinal cut 27, as shown in figure 4. In this case, the screwing of a fixing screw is adapted to cause the radial expansion of the insert.
[0043] According to a further alternative embodiment, the expansion may be obtained by a thinning 29 the thickness of the insert. The screwing of the screw causes a deformation of the insert which causes a radial expansion suitable to lock the expandable insert in position.
[0044] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, each expansion insert 24 may be made of a brass alloy.
[0045] The plurality of fixing seats 22 comprises at least ten fixing seats 22. Preferably, the plurality of fixing seats 22 comprises at least fifteen fixing seats 22.
[0046] The advantages that can be obtained with a document container according to the present invention are therefore evident.
[0047] First of all it is possible to obtain a very large number of different fixing configurations. In fact, the presence of a plurality of fixing seats that can be used according to need allows obtaining a very flexible and adaptable fixing.
[0048] Moreover, if the seats are positioned on a support with a surface substantially perpendicular to the radial direction, the container can be easily slid with respect to the fixing bracket to look for a situation in which two seats of the body match two holes in the bracket.
[0049] Furthermore, with the document container according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a bracket on a trailer with ad hoc prepared holes.
[0050] Moreover, if after a prolonged use, the expandable inserts no longer have the necessary grip to ensure the stability of the container, it will be sufficient to engage different holes that are at the same distance from each other with respect to the previous holes.
[0051] A man skilled in the art may make several changes and or replacements of elements described with equivalent elements to the embodiments described above in order to meet specific needs, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
1. Document container (12) comprising a body (14) and a lid (16), said body being provided
with a seat (18) adapted to contain documents and an opening (20) adapted for the
passage of documents between the outside and a position in said seat (18), said lid
(16) being adapted to engage said opening (20) to close it and prevent the passage
of said documents;
said body (14) comprising a plurality of fixing seats (22) adapted to be engaged by at least two expansion inserts (24) having a threaded inner hole (26), to determine a plurality of fixing configurations.
said body (14) comprising a plurality of fixing seats (22) adapted to be engaged by at least two expansion inserts (24) having a threaded inner hole (26), to determine a plurality of fixing configurations.
2. Document container (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (14) is of a substantially cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis
(X).
3. Document container (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said plurality of fixing seats (22) are arranged on the outer surface of the body
and are aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).
4. Document container (12) according to any one of the claims 2-3, characterized in that said plurality of fixing seats (22) are arranged on a support (28) protruding in
a radial direction and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
(X).
5. Document container (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said support (28) is made in one piece with the body (14).
6. Document container (12) according to any one of the claims 4-5, characterized in that said support (28) has a coupling surface (30) on which said plurality of fixing seats
(22) is arranged, said coupling surface having a lying plane perpendicular to the
radial direction.
7. Document container (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said expansion insert (24) comprises a stem with a knurled portion (32), said stem
comprising at least two expandable wings (34, 36), which are adapted to open during
the screwing of a fixing screw into said threaded inner hole (26).
8. Document container (12) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said expansion insert (24) is made of a brass alloy.
9. Document container (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of fixing seats (22) comprises at least ten fixing seats.
10. Document container (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of fixing seats (22) comprises at least fifteen fixing seats.