Combination of a transporting unit and a container unit, container unit for use in that combination and a method of stationing such a container unit at a predetermined site

Abstract

 The present invention pertains to a combination (1) of a transporting unit (2) comprising a substantially flat carrying support (3) extending in a horizontal plane, which support is connected to multiple wheels (4,4') for road transport of the transporting unit, and a self-supporting container unit (6) removably connected to the support (3), wherein the container unit comprises a chassis (10) having a bottom plane (11) adjacent to the support, multiple lifting elements (15,15'), multiple positioning sites (16) along the circumference of the chassis, each site being constituted for operative connection of one of the lifting elements to the chassis, each lifting element when being operatively connected extends in a vertical direction and is movable in the same direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis, between a first position wherein a foot (20,20') of the lifting element is situated above the bottom plane of the chassis and a second position wherein the foot is situated below the bottom plane of the chassis, and a power unit (25) for providing the power to move each lifting element from the first position to the second position. The invention also pertains to a container unit for use in such a combination and a method of positioning the said container unit at a predetermined site.

Description

[0001] The present invention pertains to a combination of a transporting unit comprising a carrying support, which support is connected to multiple wheels for road transport of the transporting unit, and a self-supporting container unit removably connected to the support. The invention also pertains to a container unit for use in this combination and a method of positioning the said container unit at a predetermined site.

[0002] Such a combination is known from US 3,521,773 assigned to Harold R. Geister. The known combination is aimed at providing a solution to the problem of the necessity of maintaining, paying licenses and insurance for a large number of trailers. In order to achieve this, the patentee has devised a combination comprising the use of a self-supporting container unit having a generally T-shaped cross section. This permits the use of a hydraulic device for raising the container from the ground up upon or off the trailer. For this, a series of hydraulic cylinders mounted on the transporting unit carrying support are used. These cylinders employ an adapter which works upon the wide end of the T and at the same time raises the narrow or straight portion of the T. This device insures stability of the container unit while being in road transport (also called "transit") but the main advantage is that the container can be unloaded and loaded without using an auxiliary crane or other device.

[0003] The known combination however suffers from some serious disadvantages. Firstly, given the T-shape of the container unit, it is impossible to use a container with a floor surface substantially equal to the ceiling surface. This is a disadvantage for loading normal cargo, since usually cargo is loaded while being stocked on pallets. Also for other applications such as mobile showrooms or medical applications such a mobile emergency room, this leads to less freedom in using the inside space of the container. Another more serious problem is that the combination needs a specially designed transporting unit (e.g. a truck or trailer), having the hydraulic cylinders at the circumference of the support of this unit. This makes the use of the combination dependent on the availability of such a special transporting unit and thus increases the costs of the use.
The prior art has found solutions to at least partly overcome these disadvantages. For example, in particular for high-end applications such as mobile showrooms, mobile military units, mobile hospitals, mobile libraries etc, one often chooses to have the container durably connected to the transporting unit (often a flatbed trailer). This has the advantage that the inside space of the container unit can be used to the full maximum which increases the freedom of use of the container unit. However, this solution requires a dedicated transporting unit for each container which is quite expensive.

[0004] Therefore, an alternative that is being used is a combination wherein the container unit is removably connected to the transporting unit, preferably using a standardized flat bed freight container truck or trailer/truck combination. By using a crane, for example fitted to the truck, or a separate crane that is available at the site of unloading or loading, a container having standard freight container connecting portions (for example standard twistlocks) can be loaded and unloaded from a standard flatbed transporting unit. This combination however suffers from the disadvantage that a crane has to be available at the site of unloading and loading.

[0005] Another solution is known from EP 89658 assigned to Societa' Aeronautica Italiana S.p.A. In this solution a versatile transporting unit is used consisting of two axles that can be brought in any relative horizontal position in order to embrace any kind of container. This solution however has the disadvantage that for loading and unloading quite specific skills are necessary which makes the wide-spread use less attractive.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to devise a combination of a transporting unit and a container unit that overcomes or at least mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art combinations, in particular those as mentioned here-above. To this end, a combination of a transporting unit comprising a substantially flat carrying support extending in a horizontal plane, which support is connected to multiple wheels for road transport of the transporting unit, and a self-supporting container unit removably connected to the support, has been devised, wherein the container unit comprises a chassis having a bottom plane adjacent to the support, multiple lifting elements, multiple positioning sites along the circumference of the chassis, each site being constituted for operative connection of one of the lifting elements to the chassis, each lifting element when being operatively connected extends in a vertical direction and is movable in the same direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis, between a first position wherein a foot of the lifting element is situated above the bottom plane of the chassis and a second position wherein the foot is situated below the bottom plane of the chassis, and a power unit for providing the power to move each lifting element from the first position to the second position.

[0007] In the combination according to the present invention the supporting unit comprises a substantially flat support, extending in a horizontal plane. Such support may be open, for example consisting out of several interconnected beams, but may also be closed, for example consisting essentially of a flat metal plate. The container unit is self-supporting and has a chassis with a bottom plane that is adjacent to the support. This bottom plane may be formed by the lower sides of a number of beams, but could also be a closed bottom plane. By having a substantially flat bottom plane, the container unit may have a substantially flat inner ground surface that may nearly equal the maximum width of the container unit for regular transit. The container unit is removably connected to the transporting unit, preferably by using locks that are commonly used in the art of freight container transport, for example twistlocks such as available from SGK International, Punjab, India, or Loxystem, Trollhattan, Sweden or Fuwa K Hitch, Melbourne, Australia. This also provides a very versatile use since nearly all present day flatbed transporting units, e.g. trucks or trailers as commonly known for carrying 20", 30", 40" and 45" containers as well as high cube embodiments of these containers, use such twistlocks at standardised sites of the support of the transporting unit. In the present combination it is the chassis to which multiple, preferably but not necessarily longitudinal, lifting elements are operatively connected along its circumference. These lifting elements, for example rods having a relatively wide foot at their respective lower ends, are each movable in the vertical direction while keeping their operative connection to the chassis. In a first ultimate position, the foot of a lifting element is above the bottom plane of the chassis. In a second ultimate position, the foot is below this plane. The container unit itself is provided with a power unit to enable this vertical movement of each lifting element. This power unit may be any power generating unit as known from the prior art, such as a combustion engine based generator, or an electric engine based generator. The unit can even be as simple as a large battery with an adequate converter to convert the electric power in mechanical movement.
In operation, for example when a container unit should be unloaded from a flatbed trailer, the lifting elements can all be moved in the direction of the second position until each of them contacts the ground surface (i.e. the surface on which the transporting unit itself is standing, e.g. a road, square, parking place, meadow or courtyard). When the lifting elements are then forced to even be further moved in vertical direction with respect to the chassis, the container unit is lifted from the flatbed trailer (i.e. when being unlocked). If lifted far enough, for example 20 cm above the carrying support of the transporting unit, the transporting unit can be removed from its site underneath the container unit. After that, if wanted, the container unit can be lowered in the direction of the ground surface by moving the lifting elements back in the direction of the first position. It may be clear that loading of the container unit can be accomplished by performing the same measures in essentially opposite order. With the present combination, no separate crane is necessary to unload or load the container unit, use can be made of a standard freight container flatbed transporting unit, and the container unit itself can have nearly maximum inner measures. Moreover, since it is possible to lower and lift the container unit by using its own lifting elements and on-board power unit, the container unit can be brought in any position that is favourable for its intended use. For example, when using it as a unit that should be very easily accessible, such as a unit containing race-cars, or a unit that is being used as a mobile showroom, it is very advantageous that the container can be lowered until it is actually contiguous to the ground surface.

[0008] In an embodiment the container unit has four lifting elements distributed along opposite sides of the said container unit. This gives the advantage of good stability to the container unit when being used as a stand-alone container unit at a predetermined site.

[0009] In another embodiment the container unit comprises a containing box connected to the chassis and having substantially the same ground plane as the chassis, wherein the box has multiple recesses, each recess being adjacent to a lifting element, and being capable of receiving the corresponding lifting element when this element is in the first position. This embodiment has the advantage that the lifting elements can be brought in a position where they do not, or to a minimum amount, extend outside of the ground plane of the chassis when contemplated in the horizontal direction. This provides not only sufficient safety for transit of the combination (no parts need to extend outside the width of the combination) but also may lead to an optically very appealing container unit.

[0010] In an embodiment the container unit comprises a sliding mechanism for each lifting element, which mechanism enables each lifting element to be moved in a horizontal direction. This embodiment has the advantage that the lifting elements can be moved easily in horizontal direction, while still being operatively connected to the chassis. Horizontal displacement can be advantageous for reaching optimum stability for a container unit when being stationed at its site, but it may also be used for obtaining the safety and optical advantages as described here-above.

[0011] In a further embodiment the sliding mechanism for each lifting element is comprised within the chassis. The chassis has some height because of the use of e.g. beams to provide sufficient strength to the chassis. In this embodiment the sliding mechanism is comprised within this height. Therefore, no valuable space will be lost in the containing box because of the presence of the sliding mechanism.

[0012] In yet a further embodiment the sliding mechanism comprises a piston that is slidably received in a cylinder, wherein the piston or cylinder has an outer surface that is self-smearing, e.g. a surface that exists of Nylon or Teflon. This embodiment has the advantage that the sliding mechanism needs hardly any or even no regular maintenance since there is no need to regularly add a smearing compound to the sliding surfaces.

[0013] In another embodiment each lifting element is movable in vertical direction independent of the movement of any of the other lifting elements. Although independent movement makes the container unit somewhat more expensive, it increases the use possibilities of it. By having independent movement of the lifting elements available, a sound support for the container unit can be provided even on rough terrain. This is not only needed for unloading and loading the container unit but is also very favourable for stationing the container unit. This way it can be assured that the container unit can be stationed in an exact horizontal position on each type of ground surface. Optionally, the container unit is equipped with an automatic levelling instrument.

[0014] In an embodiment each lifting element comprises a piston that is slidably received in a cylinder. In this embodiment the lifting element may even be as simple as a rod having at its lower end the already mentioned foot, wherein the rod is slidably received in a cylinder. Operation of such a constitution may be simply achieved, e.g. by pneumatic or hydraulic means. The operative connection with the chassis can in this embodiment very easily be accomplished by fixing the cylinder to the chassis.

[0015] In an embodiment the foot in the second position is at least 1 meter, preferably at least 1.35 meter below the bottom plane of the chassis. In this embodiment the container unit can be lifted from the transporting unit merely by moving the lifting elements towards the second position. Since the lifting elements are long enough to reach a distance of at least 1 meter, preferably 1.35 meter, no auxiliary rests, props, pillars or whatever pieces are necessary to position underneath each of the feet in order to provide sufficient lifting height. This makes the use of the combination according to the present invention very easy and also ensures that by using the lifting elements, the container unit can be risen sufficiently for a transporting unit to be placed underneath it, but also can be lowered such that the bottom plane of the chassis is contiguous with the ground surface.

[0016] The present invention also pertains to the container unit as such. This unit can be marketed separately since it is self-supporting, has all the features aboard that provide the advantages of the present invention, and can be constituted to fit any standard flatbed transporting unit that is designed for commonly used containers, such as the 20", 30", 40" and 45" containers as well as the high cube versions of these containers. Optionally the unit can be provided with a radiographic controlling unit that allows all movements to be controlled from a distance without the need of using a tangible (cable) connection. Also, hydraulic or other means can be comprised in the container unit to allow the roof of the unit to be lifted with respect to the chassis such that for example a second floor can be created. The unit can be provided with all sorts of doors, windows or other closable openings such as those known from the prior art of containers, trailers, mobile offices, showrooms, hospitals etc. depending on the intended use of the container unit.

[0017] The invention also pertains to a method for stationing a container unit as defined here-above at a predetermined site, comprising transporting the container unit while being connected to a transporting unit as defined here-above from a first site to the predetermined site, having the lifting elements extending in a vertical direction adjacent the container unit, de-connecting the container unit from the transporting unit, moving each lifting element in vertical direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis, from the first position to the second position until the container unit is detached from the transporting unit and is supported by the lifting elements, removing the transporting unit underneath the container unit, and optionally moving the lifting elements back in the direction of the first position to lower the container unit. It may be clear that by performing these same steps in another order, the container unit can be loaded on the transporting unit.

[0018] The invention will now be illustrated by the following figures.

Figure 1 shows a transporting unit for use in a combination according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a container unit according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a combination according to the present invention.

Figure 4 provides a top view of the chassis of the container unit as depicted in figure 2.

Figure 5, composed of subfigures A, B and C, shows a diagrammatic rear view of the container unit in various stages of a process of unloading the container unit from the transporting unit.

Figure 1

[0019] Figure 1 shows a transporting unit for use in a combination according to the present invention. The transporting unit 2 is in this particular embodiment a flatbed trailer which is pulled by a separate truck 5. The transporting unit or trailer comprises wheels 4 and 4' to allow transit. The trailer has a substantially flat carrying support 3 which is provided with mechanical means 7 for removably connecting a container unit to the support. These means 7 cooperate with mechanical means 8 (shown in figure 2) of the container unit 6 (also shown in figure 2).

Figure 2

[0020] Figure 2 shows a self supporting container unit 6. The unit comprises a chassis 10 having bottom plane 11. Connected to the chassis is a containing box 30. The chassis is provided with means 8 for removably connecting the container unit to a transporting unit. In this case, means 8 are so called twist locks, commonly known in the art of freight container transit. The container unit 6 comprises positioning sites 16 at each longitudinal site, at which site lifting elements (shown in figure 5C) are operatively connected to the chassis. These lifting elements are not visible since they are received in recesses of the container unit, which recesses are covered by panels 300.

Figure 3

[0021] Figure 3 shows a combination 1 according to the present invention. This combination consists of the container unit 6 and the transporting unit 2 which are removably connected to each other by using means 7 and 8. The combination 1 is fitted to truck 5 which enables transit. It is clear that bottom plane 11 of chassis 10 is adjacent, in particular contiguous, to support 3.

Figure 4

[0022] Figure 4 provides a top view of the chassis of the container unit as depicted in figure 2. Chassis 10 has as main constituents large beams (H-shaped) 50 and 51. Around these beams circumferential smaller beam 52 is placed and connected to the main beams 50 and 51 via normal welding. Sufficient stiffness and resistance against torsion is then provided by interconnecting beams 53.
At each site 16, the smaller beam 52 has a recess to receive cylinder 60. In this configuration, the cylinder always (i.e. during normal circumstances) extends in vertical direction. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinders are kept in a horizontal position during transit, and are place in a position corresponding to the one as shown in figure 4 when the container should be unloaded from the transporting unit. Each cylinder is operatively connected to the chassis via sliding mechanism 35. This mechanism can be hydraulically controlled to allow horizontal movement of the cylinders. Within each cylinder, there is comprised a lifting element 15 (not shown in this figure; see figure 5C). To generate the hydraulic pressure, a power unit 25 is connected to the chassis. This unit is composed of two high capacity batteries (not shown), a generator (not shown) which transforms the 12V power of the batteries in 380V power, and a pump (not shown) which operates at 380V. This pump provides the hydraulic pressure to each of the sliding mechanisms 35 separately via hydraulic lines 36.

Figure 5

[0023] Figure 5, composed of subfigures A, B and C, shows a diagrammatic rear (cross) view of the container unit in various stages of a process of unloading the container unit from the transporting unit. In order to make the process of unloading more clear, elements of the containing box 30 have been depicted by using dashed lines.
In figure 5A chassis 10 and the main beams 50 and 51 can be seen in cross view. To the chassis, via sliding mechanisms 35, cylinders 60 are connected. These cylinders are on their turn connected to side panels 300 and 300' respectively. These side panels in this view coincide completely with the side wall of containing box 30 and are therefore not shown as separate elements.
In figure 5B it can be seen that each sliding mechanism 35 comprises a cylinder 40 that is stationary connected to the chassis, and a piston that is connected to a cylinder 60.

[0024] By sliding the piston out of the cylinder 40, cylinder 60 is moved in horizontal direction, away from the containing box 30. Since panels 300 and 300' are connected to these cylinders 60, they move together with these cylinders in horizontal direction. In the containing box 30, recesses 31 and 31' become visible. These recesses are constituted to receive the cylinders 60 (and thus the lifting elements when contained in these cylinders) when in a "rest" position (e.g. during transit of the container unit or during use of the container unit at a predetermined site when stationed).
Figure 5C shows the lifting elements, in this case consisting of pistons 59, 59' with feet 20 and 20' respectively, when moved downwardly from their first position (i.e. when contained almost completely within cylinders 60) to their ultimate second position, which second position is depicted in figure 5C. In the first position, feet 20 and 20' are above the bottom plane 11 of the chassis. This allows the bottom plane of the chassis to mate with the surface 3 of the transporting unit, and also, allows means 7 and 8 to cooperate for removable connection of the container unit to the transporting unit. In the second position, feet 20 and 20' are below plane 11 to allow lifting of the container unit with respect to a ground surface. When the lifting distance D is more then the height of the transporting unit 2, the latter unit can be simply pulled away underneath the chassis, whereafter the container unit can be lowered to the ground for starting its normal use (e.g. a mobile kitchen). For loading the container unit after use, the chassis is simply lifted to the same height D, whereafter the transporting unit is pushed underneath the container unit. Then the container unit is lowered again until its bottom plane 11 is contiguous with the support 3 of the transporting unit (at that time, pistons 59 and 59' are completely contained within their respective cylinders 60). Then, means 7 and 8 are used to connect the container unit to the transporting unit. Finally, cylinders 60 are retracted back into recesses 31 and 31' until panels 300 and 300' coincide with the sides of the containing box 30. Then the combination is ready for transit.

Claims

1. Combination (1) of a transporting unit (2) comprising a substantially flat carrying support (3) extending in a horizontal plane, which support (3) is connected to multiple wheels (4,4') for road transport of the transporting unit (2), and a self-supporting container unit (6) removably connected to the support (3), the container unit (6) comprising:

- a chassis (10) having a bottom plane (11) adjacent to the support (3),

- multiple lifting elements (15, 15'),

- multiple positioning sites (16) along the circumference of the chassis (10), each site (16) being constituted for operative connection of one of the lifting elements (15,15') to the chassis (10), each lifting element (15,15') when being operatively connected extends in a vertical direction and is movable in the same direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis (10), between a first position wherein a foot (20, 20') of the lifting element (15,15') is situated above the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10) and a second position wherein the foot (20,20') is situated below the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10), and

- a power unit (25) for providing the power to move each lifting element (15,15') from the first position to the second position.

2. A combination according to claim 1, characterised in that the container unit (6) has four lifting elements (15,15') distributed along opposite sides of the said container unit.

3. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit (6) comprises a containing box (30) connected to the chassis (10) and having substantially the same ground plane as the chassis, characterised in that the box (30) has multiple recesses (31, 31'), each recess being adjacent to a lifting element (15, 15'), and being capable of receiving the corresponding lifting element when this element is in the first position.

4. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container unit (6) comprises a sliding mechanism (35) for each lifting element (15, 15'), which mechanism enables each lifting element to be moved in a horizontal direction.

5. A combination according to claim 4, characterised in that the sliding mechanism (35) for each lifting element (15, 15') is comprised within the chassis (10).

6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein the sliding mechanism (35) comprises a piston (40) that is slidably received in a cylinder (41), characterised in that the piston or cylinder has an outer surface that is self-smearing.

7. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each lifting element (15, 15') is movable in vertical direction independent of the movement of any of the other lifting elements.

8. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each lifting element (15, 15') comprises a piston (59, 59') that is slidably received in a cylinder (60).

9. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foot (20,20') in the second position is at least 1 meter, preferably at least 1.35 meter below the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10).

10. A container unit (6) as defined in any of the preceding claims.

11. A method for stationing a container unit (6) as defined in any of the claims 1-9 at a predetermined site comprising:

- transporting the container unit while being connected to a transporting unit (2) as defined in claim 1 from a first site to the predetermined site,

- having the lifting elements (15, 15') extending in a vertical direction adjacent the container unit,

- de-connecting the container unit from the transporting unit,

- moving each lifting element in vertical direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis (10), from the first position to the second position until the container unit is detached from the transporting unit and is supported by the lifting elements,

- removing the transporting unit underneath the container unit, and

- optionally moving the lifting elements back in the direction of the first position to lower the container unit.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Combination (1) of a transporting unit (2) comprising a substantially flat carrying support (3) extending in a horizontal plane, which support (3) is connected to multiple wheels (4,4') for road transport of the transporting unit (2), and a self-supporting container unit (6) removably connected to the support (3), the container unit (6) comprising:

- a chassis (10) having a bottom plane (11) adjacent to the support (3),

- multiple lifting elements (15, 15'),

- multiple positioning sites (16) along the circumference of the chassis (10), each site (16) being constituted for operative connection of one of the lifting elements (15,15') to the chassis (10), each lifting element (15,15') when being operatively connected extends in a vertical direction and is movable in the same direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis (10), between a first position wherein a foot (20, 20') of the lifting element (15,15') is situated above the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10) and a second position wherein the foot (20,20') is situated below the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10),

- a sliding mechanism (35) for each lifting element (15, 15'), which mechanisms (35) enable each lifting element to be moved in a horizontal direction

characterised in that the container unit further comprises

- an on board power unit (25) having a connection to the lifting elements (15, 15') and sliding mechanisms (35) for providing the power to move each lifting element (15,15') from the first position to the second position and to move each sliding mechanism (35) in horizontal direction, the connection being such that each of the lifting elements (15, 15') and sliding mechanisms (35) is movable while being operatively connected to the chassis.

2. A combination according to claim 1, characterised in that the container unit (6) has four lifting elements (15,15') distributed along opposite sides of the said container unit.

3. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container unit (6) comprises a containing box (30) connected to the chassis (10) and having substantially the same ground plane as the chassis, characterised in that the box (30) . has multiple recesses (31, 31'), each recess being adjacent to a lifting element (15, 15'), and being capable of receiving the corresponding lifting element when this element is in the first position.

4. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding mechanism (35) for each lifting element (15, 15') is comprised within the chassis (10).

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein the sliding mechanism (35) comprises a piston (40) that is slidably received in a cylinder (41), characterised in that the piston or cylinder has an outer surface that is self-smearing.

6. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each lifting element (15,15') is movable in vertical direction independent of the movement of any of the other lifting elements.

7. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each lifting element (15, 15') comprises a piston (59, 59') that is slidably received in a cylinder (60).

8. A combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foot (20,20') in the second position is at least 1 meter, preferably at least 1.35 meter below the bottom plane (11) of the chassis (10).

9. A container unit (6) as defined in any of the preceding claims.

10. A method for stationing a container unit (6) as defined in any of the claims 1-8 at a predetermined site comprising:

- transporting the container unit while being connected to a transporting unit (2) as defined in claim 1 from a first site to the predetermined site,

- having the lifting elements (15, 15') extending in a vertical direction adjacent the container unit,

- de-connecting the container unit from the transporting unit,

- moving each lifting element in vertical direction while maintaining the operative connection with the chassis (10), from the first position to the second position until the container unit is detached from the transporting unit and is supported by the lifting elements,

- removing the transporting unit underneath the container unit, and

- optionally moving the lifting elements back in the direction of the first position to lower the container unit.

Drawing