Container with (re-)movable roof

Abstract

 A container (10)has a (re-)movable {eg elevating} roof (15), roof frame, or roof element, for enhanced (un)loading access and load depth utilisation; corner post jacking (25) and wholesale roof elevation or local bending are envisaged.

Description

Background

[0001] Containers for freight transport & storage typically employ a rectangular space frame, for structural rigidity, and to support corner handling fittings, with releasable locking couplings.

[0002] The frame typically surmounts a flat platform load support bed, and bounds an overlying roof, with intervening end or side walls.

[0003] Walls may be (solid) infil panels, stretched fabric (such as tarpaulin), or (sliding) curtains, with optional access doors or hatches.

[0004] Thus, a particular configuration has a platform base, opposite end, a panelled roof and open-framed sides - covered by respective tarpaulins.

Problem

[0005] A frame has a certain depth for stiffness and so - where a load is to occupy most of, or optimise use of, overall load depth capacity - can impede access for (un)loading through sides or ends.

[0006] Similarly, curtain-sided container variants commonly employ an upper edge flexible sealing gaiter or skirt, depending from an upper frame or curtain rail - and which further restricts access depth on that side.

[0007] That is, the frame - and any attendant facilities - represents a temporary obstruction or impediment for (un)loading, but can be restored, once a load is in place, or has vacated the container.

[0008] Inboard of the frame perimeter, and underlying what may be a relatively thin roof panel, a somewhat greater load depth capacity is available.

Constraints

[0009] Overall container size is dictated by conformity with prescribed standards.

[0010] A fixed frame has wasted internal load depth capacity and/or impeded end or side access.

Improved Access

[0011] Improved side access depth would be desirable - provided the container conformed or could be restored to conformity.

[0012] The present invention addresses such capacity and access constraints.

Prior Art

[0013] The Applicant's earlier 'Side Loader' case published EP 98944038.3 envisaged folding roof elements, but in the context of a non-structural outer top edge of an overall structural 'I'-beam container cross-section.

[0014] This approach was reliant upon a central dividing wall, upstanding from a platform base, leaving essentially open sides, with no impeding upper framework.

Statement(s) of Invention

[0015] According to the invention, a container is configured with provision for at least temporary increased side and/or end access height - locally or overall - without permanently increasing overall height.

[0016] This approach embraces selective removal or temporary re-disposition - and subsequent relocation or restoration of structural roof (side) frame elements.

[0017] More specifically, a container has a roof, and/or longitudinal side or end roof frame, with at least a movable edge portion.

[0018] The roof may be (re-)movable as an entity, with for example end / side hinge, releasable couplings and supports or (corner) jacking points.

[0019] An integral elevating roof and peripheral frame could stand clear of side or end access, allowing full utilisation of internal load depth capacity.

[0020] The roof, with attendant perimeter roof frame, could be segmented for this purpose, with, say segments sliding upon extendable guide rails.

[0021] The segments could collapse fold and stack, in say concertina fashion.

[0022] The roof frame sides could also be segmented, allowing collapse folding with roof segments.

[0023] Alternatively, roof infil panel segments could uncouple from roof frame segments, which collapse fold or detach as a bridge element, to swing clear of the sides, leaving unobstructed side access.

[0024] Such a swing arm, or articulated roof frame, bridge element, say supported from a corner posts, represents a cantilever structure - which might be utilised as an (un)loading crane - at least for modest load portions.

[0025] Alternatively, a roof, or roof segment, could feature pick-up points for external crane hook/sling capture and lift, clear of the container sides.

[0026] This could leave corner posts, and/or inset side struts, in place.

[0027] A peripheral seal could be fitted between roof, or roof frame, perimeter and container end frames.

[0028] Releasable latches could be fitted between roof, or roof frame, and other container elements.

[0029] Such latches could be actuated automatically by releasing and depositing roof weight upon a residual support frame and/or corner posts.

[0030] A deliberate unlatching action would then be required to release the roof - a default latching security measure, for security of roof installation.

[0031] Once a load is in place, or removed, the roof can be lowered and secured back in position.

[0032] The roof elevation jacks themselves could represent a secure coupling.

[0033] To this end, jack operation would require deliberate action and would not arise simply by applying force to the roof or roof frame.

[0034] Moreover, a jack manual operating handle, could be locked or removed altogether to a secure storage location to inhibit unauthorised roof movement.

[0035] Additional restraints, detents, or latches could be contrived, to secure the roof in the closed, fully-open or indexed intermediate positions.

[0036] Jacks, such as hydraulic pump-action or rotary screw jacks, could be used at each corner support post.

[0037] Jacks could be motorised, such as with electric motors running on internal battery power, or from an external power source.

[0038] Such jacks could mount alongside, or internally of, corner posts.

[0039] An articulated linkage, say with an over-centre scissor spreader and parking action, could be fitted between roof frame and container, for roof separation and repositioning.

[0040] A telescopic corner post, with internal (upward) spring bias could carry a roof frame.

[0041] A ratchet rewind, with rack on corner post extension and lateral pinion with winding crank handle, could be used for post retraction and bias reset.

Embodiment(s)

[0042] There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of a (re-)movable (eg elevating) roof container, according to the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a curtain sided container with movable (elevating) roof in a closed condition and with end access doors closed;

Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1, with roof (temporarily) (re-)moved (ie elevated) upon jacking struts and end access doors opened at one end;

Figure 3 shows a part-sectioned, part cut-away view of the container with elevated roof of Figure 2 - with a load installed to a load depth greater than the side access depth with roof closed;

Figure 4 shows a part-sectioned, part cut-away enlarged detail view of a manual screw jack lifting strut mechanism for the elevating roof of Figures 2 and 3;

Figures 5A and 5B shows a variant of Figures 1 and 2 container, with a braced end extension, under a common (re-) movable roof - of either full longitudinal span between corner posts, or of intermediate span between inset side struts and end extensions;
Thus, more specifically;

Figure 5A shows a roof and side extension frames in place;

Figure 5B shows roof elevated and side extension frame swung open;

Figures 6A and 6B show detail of an option for Figures 5A and 5B;
Thus, more specifically:

Figure 6A shows a part cut-away, part-sectional detail of a roof (end) edge displacement and seal profile; and

Figure 6B shows end post displacement to counter base deck bending;

Figures 7A and 7B show detail of curtain suspension and curtain pelmet deflection;
Thus, more specifically:

Figure 7A shows a part cut-away, part-sectioned view of a roof perimeter frame, fitted with a side curtain carrier rail and side pelmet; and

Figure 7B shows Figure 7A with pelmet deflected to preserve load access clearance;

Figures 8A through 8D show an open-sided container variant with concertina collapse folding roof and segmented articulated roof rail gate;
Thus, more specifically:

Figure 8A shows a perspective view of a partially opened concertina collapse folding roof, with roof rails still in place;

Figure 8B shows a side section of Figure 8A , with roof panels collapse folded at each end; and

Figure 8C shows a perspective view of the container of Figures 8A and 8B, with a roof rail split into articulated elements, with optional stacking as a crane (un)loading jib;

Figure 8D shows an optional folding end header for the container of Figures 8A through 8B;

Figures 9A and 9B show a container variant split longitudinally intermediate roof and base deck, with intervening telescopic corner end posts allowing greater separation of roof and deck platform;
Thus, more specifically:

Figure 9A shows a part-sectioned, part-cut away fragmentary end view, with telescopic corner end posts extended; and

Figure 9B shows a perspective end view of Figure 9A;

[0043] Referring to the drawings, an open-sided container 10 has a base 12, surmounted by a (front) end wall 13, a (rear) end wall 14, spanned by (re-)movable canopy roof 15.

[0044] The roof 15 has a perimeter frame of longitudinal side header rails 17 and transverse end headers 22.

[0045] The base 12 has a perimeter frame, of longitudinal base rails 18 and end sills 11, with a platform deck infil 24.

[0046] Upstanding corner posts 19 are interposed between base 12 and roof 15.

[0047] Opposite ends of corner posts 19 are set at base rail 18 and sill 11 and corresponding header 17, 22 intersections - and carry corner joint blocks, with pick-up, coupling, handling and support fittings 20.

[0048] Longitudinal side cargo access apertures 38, at one or both sides of container 10, are bounded by base rail 18, corner posts 19 and top rail 17 - and can be closed by a sliding fabric screen or curtain 16.

[0049] When closed, curtain 16 fastens in to a bottom rail 18 and comer post 19 for weather-resistance.

[0050] Curtain suspension is detailed in the enlargements of Figures 7A and 7B, thus curtain rollers 36, running in a track 27 fitted to top rail 17.

[0051] Rollers 36 enable curtain 16 to be drawn freely back and gathered to one end, to allow longitudinal side access to the container 10.

[0052] Access aperture 38 height or depth is denoted by double-headed arrow 'A' - and is somewhat less than the depth available internally of the perimeter roof frame of rails 17 and 22, by the frame depth.

[0053] Cargo can also be loaded into the container through paired, outwardly hinged end doors 21.

[0054] With the roof 15 in place, the height of cargo 30 is restricted by end access door opening height, denoted by double-headed arrow 'B'.

[0055] 'B' represents the access depth between sill 11 and end header 22.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a side curtain 16 drawn back to one side, end doors 21 open and roof 15 elevated - in this case evenly at all four corners, although differential elevation or tilting is admitted.

[0057] The roof 15 is raised by an overall distance 'C', from its closed operational (or transport) position

[0058] With the roof 15 elevated by 'C', cargo 30 of height
'A + C', or 'B + C' can be loaded into the container 10 through side or end access respectively.

[0059] Once cargo 30 is inside, the roof 15 can be lowered again and locked in position over the cargo 30 - which is effectively trapped inside by the bounding peripheral roof frame 17, 22.

[0060] In practice, when roof 15 is raised, curtain 16 may be carried up with it.

[0061] Figure 3 shows the roof 15 raised above cargo 30, which has been placed on the platform floor 24.

[0062] The height of the cargo 30 is denoted by double-headed arrow 'D', accommodated through a side access aperture depth denoted by arrows 'A' + 'C'.

[0063] Once cargo 30 is inside, roof 15 is lowered, to a closed position denoted by broken line 15'.

[0064] Longitudinal top side rail 17 is thus restored to a position denoted by broken line 17'.

[0065] The cargo 30 is thus encapsulated by top rails 17 and a roof infil panel 38, which forms a weather-tight cladding for the roof structure.

[0066] Figure 4 shows a roof lifting jack mechanism.

[0067] A corner post 19 supports a threaded carrier block 39, through which passes a complementary threaded jacking screw pillar or strut 25.

[0068] The screw 25 is rotatable by means of a cranked handle 26" with an articulated eyelet coupling 58 - rotation of which drives the screw 25 up or down through the block 39, to raise or lower the roof 15.

[0069] Such a jacking screw pillar 25 might be fitted at all four corners of the container 10.

[0070] With the roof 15 lowered, a locating spigot 23 engages with the corner post 19, through a top end aperture 28 shown in section.

[0071] The spigot 23 is located and retained in aperture 28 by a transverse capture pin 29, which passes through mutually aligned holes 31, 33 respectively in the post 19 and spigot 23.

[0072] When the roof 15 is locked in its lower position, the container 10 can be lifted through corner fittings 42.

[0073] Alternatively, to secure roof 15 to a corner post 19, the screw pillar 25 can rely upon a head 34, captured between spaced ring plates 35, secured to roof 15.

[0074] When screw pillar 25 is rotated to retract downward, its head 34 holds the roof 15 down upon post 19.

[0075] One or more corners may be raised at a time, according to man-power and loading requirements.

[0076] Reverting to Figure 1, doors 21 are fastened upon closing, by locking bars 32, to a bottom sill 11 and header 22.

[0077] Conventionally, a perimeter edge seal or gasket 51 is fitted to each end door 21, to seal the doors 21 to the peripheral end frame of sill 11, header 22 and corner posts 19.

[0078] At the front end wall 13, with no access doors, a fixed infil wall panel is secured between corner posts 19, header 22 and sill 11, with intervening sealing gaskets (not shown).

[0079] Roof 15 might be displaced entirely from, and to one side, of the container 10, so that cargo 30 could be loaded from directly above the base 12, say by (overhead / gantry) crane (not shown).

[0080] In a variant of Figure 5, a longitudinally extended container format - to, say, a 45 foot overall span - is achieved with end extensions, preserving a facility for handling at an intermediate, say, 40 foot span, through inset couplings carried by side struts.

[0081] Thus, a container 10' has movable braced 'A' frame side extensions 44, inset from corner posts 19.

[0082] The extension frame 44 is carried from hinges 43 upon a corner post 19.

[0083] Frame 44 carries an upright side strut 42, which underpins a detachable upper coupling block 40, to supplement corner blocks 20.

[0084] A detachable spigot coupling 45 secures the strut 42 to a base rail 18.

[0085] Coupling blocks 40 allow lift and separation of roof 15 from headers 17, 22 and corner blocks 20, along a (sealed) joint 47.

[0086] Alternatively, an intermediate roof section between side struts 42 and end extensions 44 could separate from end roof segments along a split line 57 (with optional edge seal not shown) and suspended from inset coupling blocks 40.

[0087] Figure 6 shows a side frame 44, swung open about hinge 43 to clear longitudinal side cargo access.

[0088] Roof header rail 17 is depicted raised - yet the corresponding opposite side rail could remain lowered - relying upon temporary transverse twist or bending of roof 15.

[0089] Indeed, on header rail 17 could be secured permanently in place, to restrain overall container torsional and bending stiffness, yet preserve a certain roof 15 flexibility.

[0090] Roof jacks could mount upon one or other of end frame 14 or roof 15, and act to pull or push between the two structures.

[0091] A resilient (say, rubber) gasket 51 is mounted upon a roof panel end beam 52, which, when lowered, engages a suitable section (not shown) on residual static end frame header 22.

[0092] This provides a weather-resistant joint between roof 15 and end frame header 22 and facilitates relocation of a raised header rail 17.

[0093] As one header rail 17 is raised, while the other remains in place, a intervening roof panel 48 - being of thin flexible sheet, such as steel - would flex, allowing lift of one side without need of a hinge.

[0094] A wedge plate 49 is fitted to roof panel end frame 52 and side frame 17, to bear upon an abutment 50, fitted to a corner post 19.

[0095] As the roof 15 is drawn down into engagement with container 10 - the final position being depicted by a broken line 15' - wedge profile of plate 49, outwardly displaces the upper end of corner posts 19 - creating a snug fit with top rail 17.

[0096] Figure 6B depicts such outward displacement to counter deflection and stress in base 18, when under payload.

[0097] Figure 7 is a section of header rail 17, in this example a rectangular profile tube.

[0098] Attached to rail 17 is track 27, locating rollers 36 carrying side curtain 16.

[0099] A depending pelmet 53 is fitted to inhibit water ingress, when curtain 16 is drawn closed.

[0100] The pelmet 53 is somewhat in-turned, to close the gap between track 27 (on rail 17) and curtain 16.

[0101] Pelmet 53 is typically of a resiliently deformable rubber material and runs the full length of track 27.

[0102] Side access height or depth, denoted by double-headed arrow 'A', is restricted by pelmet 53 depth.

[0103] Thus some means is desirable to lift, slide or otherwise displace the pelmet 53.

[0104] In this example, a rod 54, with cam 55 fitted, is mounted in bearings 56 spaced along track 27.

[0105] It is envisaged that rod 54 and cam 55,which could extend the full length of track 27, or be (sub-)divided into shorter lengths, is fitted.

[0106] In action, rod 54 is rotated, say by a (crank) handle (not shown), causing cam 55 to engage and outwardly and upwardly displace pelmet 53 - to position depicted by a dotted/broken line 53',55'.

[0107] Side access height is thus restored to dimension 'A'.

[0108] Alternative configurations for roof mobility, such as split or telescopic corner posts and attendant side or end walls, might be feasible.

[0109] Thus, say, end doors or panels could be a sliding fit in corner posts, themselves extendible telescopically, with, say, an intermediate split, allowing an upper element to carry aloft a roof, and a lower element to remain planted in a platform base.

[0110] Load depth or height aside, other dimensions, such as width or length, might similarly be extended temporarily, to facilitate load access.

[0111] Generally, given a requirement to optimise load space utilisation, jacking mechanisms and the like should not themselves be unduly intrusive.

[0112] With collapsible flat rack configurations, corner post base mounting pivots might be used to allow corner post splay, with either temporary uncoupling of roof connection, or a split roof to allow roof segment splay - again for improved load access.

[0113] Figures 8A through 8D address roof removal by segmenting and concertina folding roof segments 61 into a stack to the container sides.

[0114] A side header rail is similarly fragmented, into a series of articulated beams, swung to one side to free up side access.

[0115] Figures 8A and 8B show progressive stages in withdrawal and stacking of successive roof segments 61.

[0116] Figure 8C shows articulated folding of sub-divided header rail elements 62 - and stacking as an optional crane jib for (un)loading.

[0117] Figure 8D shows a movable end header 63 to free end access height constraints, once roof segments 61 have been withdrawn.

[0118] Figures 9A and 9B show corner post telescopic split and separation into upper and lower posts 64, 65 - to create additional headspace depth 'D'.

Component List

[0119] 

10

container

11

sill

12

base

13

front end wall/frame

14

rear end wall/frame

15

roof

15'

roof in closed position

15"

roof in closed position (variant)

16

curtain

17

top rail

17'

top rail in closed position

18

bottom rail

19

corner post

20

corner block

21

end doors

22

header

23

spigot (upper)

24

deck platform/floor

25

screw

26

crank handle

27

track

28

aperture

29

pin

30

cargo

31

hole

32

bars

33

hole

34

head

35

ring plate

36

rollers

38

side access

39

threaded carrier block

40

coupling block

41 42

side strut

43

hinge

44

'A' - frame

45

spigot coupling

46 47

split joint

48

roof panel

49

wedge plate

50

abutment

51

gasket

52

roof end header

53

pelmet

53'

pelmet displacement

54

rod

55

cam

55'

cam displacement

56

bearings

57

roof split line

58

eyelet

61

roof segment

62

articulated header element

63

hinged end header

64

telescopic end post (upper)

65

telescopic end post (lower)

A

access height

B

access door opening height (sill to header)

C

distance roof raised

D

cargo height

Claims

1. A container (10) with a (re-)movable {eg elevating} roof (15), or roof frame (17, 22, 29), for (un)loading access and load depth utilisation.

2. A container, as claimed in Claim 1, with a lifting or spreader jack operable between roof and base, say at or through a corner post.

3. A container, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, with a screw jacking pillar fitted between a roof and a corner post.

4. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with a flexible roof configured to allow elevation of one side while another remains captive.

5. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims,with a resiliently deformable roof, such as a thin sheet, which can deflect, flex or bend, to a form allowing greater headroom.

6. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, configured to distend opposite support frame ends and thereby apply bending loads to a base, and which in turn counter cargo bending loads.

7. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with movable side frames, carried by corner posts, to support couplings inset from the container ends, and preserve side access upon side frame movement.

8. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with segmented roof panels, configured for concertina collapse fold to one side, and a fragmented header rail, with articulated header elements, to fold to one side.

9. A container, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with a seal interposed between roof edge and container (base) frame.

10. A container, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

Drawing