Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION UNIT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority on United States Provisional Application
No. 62/701,966, filed on July 23, 2018.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to storage and transportation units, and more
particularly to a collapsible storage and transportation unit configurable in
a
collapsed and uncollapsed configurations.
BACKGROUND
Shipping containers revolutionized domestic and global trades by dramatically
reducing the costs, time and losses associated with the transportation of
goods (or
cargo). Goods may be stored and transported using various types of containers.
Typically, a container for storing and transporting goods will comprise a
cargo base
for receiving the goods to be stored and/or transported thereon as well as
side
structures to contain the goods on the base. Such containers are usually
rectangular
or cubic to enable a plurality of containers to be stacked and/or disposed
adjacent to
each other such that there is no space or minimal space between the
containers.
However, depending on the particularities of trading routes, the worldwide use
of shipping containers poses environmental and economic issues. For instance,
when there is an imbalance in the net amount of shipping containers
trafficking
between two market destinations, they tend to pill up at one end of the line
where
they take up space that could be used otherwise. In this case, it is usually
too
expensive to send back empty containers over long distances to the original
market
destination while it is almost the same cost to expedite shipping containers
full of
goods. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have shipping containers that may
be
shipped empty and/or stored without occupying an unnecessary large amount of
space.
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Furthermore, most shipping containers are not configured to adapt to the
nature of cargo being stored or transported by either protecting the cargo
from the
outside environment (in the case, e.g., of goods sensitive to air, humidity,
light, etc.)
or by exposing the cargo to the outside environment (in the case, e.g., of
live
animals).
There is therefore a need for a shipping container that will overcome at least
one of the above-identified issues or drawbacks.
BRIEF SUMMARY
According to a broad aspect, there is disclosed a collapsible storage and
transportation unit, comprising a base including a cargo area surrounded by an
edge
having four ends; four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of
the
base, each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post
member
and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members being pivotable
between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the
folded
configuration the wall panel supporting members are lying down over the base
and
the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed
configuration,
wherein in the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given
wall panel
supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall panel
supporting member are both adjacent to each other and project together from
each
corresponding end of the base generally perpendicularly thereto and four
locking
means, each locking means comprising a first locking member and a second
locking
member, the first locking member being located on a first post member of a
first wall
panel supporting member, the second locking member being located on a second
post member of a second wall panel supporting member, wherein the physical
coupling between the first locking member and the second locking member
enables
locking the first wall panel supporting member and the second wall panel
supporting
member in a uncollapsed configuration, wherein a first collapsible storage and
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transportation unit is stackable over a second collapsible storage and
transportation
unit.
According to an embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit
further comprises at least one wall panel, the at least one wall panel being
connectable between two corresponding post members of any wall panel
supporting
member.
According to an embodiment, the first collapsible storage and transportation
unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration is
stackable over
the second collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the
collapsed
and the uncollapsed configuration.
According to an embodiment, the collapsible storage and transportation unit is
transportable in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel.
According to an embodiment, the first collapsible storage and transportation
unit and the second collapsible storage and transportation unit are stackable
over
each other in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel.
According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is stackable over
another wall panel.
According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is transportable
while stacked over another wall panel.
According to an embodiment, each of the four wall panel supporting members
comprises a U-shaped frame.
According to an embodiment, the at least one wall panel is received within the
U-shaped frame.
According to an embodiment, each of the four wall panel supporting members
comprises at least one hinge.
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According to an embodiment, the at least one hinge comprises a slotted
hinge.
According to an embodiment, the slotted hinge is sized and shaped so that
the four wall panel supporting members are collapsed in a random order.
According to an embodiment, the first locking member comprises a male
connector and the second locking member comprises a female connector sized and
shaped to receive the male connector therein.
According to an embodiment, the male connector physically couples the
female connector socket by a vertical displacement of the at least one slotted
hinge.
According to an embodiment, the male connector comprises a hook and the
female connector comprises a hook-receiving socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the
invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a collapsible storage
and
transportation unit, in accordance with one embodiment. The collapsible
storage and
transportation unit comprises a base, four wall panel supporting members, four
locking means, and four wall panels.
FIG. 2 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the collapsible storage
and
transportation unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the base of the
collapsible
storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base of the collapsible storage and
transportation unit shown in FIG. 3.
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FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the base of the collapsible storage and
transportation unit shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a left elevation view of the base of the collapsible storage and
transportation unit shown in FIG. 3.
5 FIG. 7 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel
supporting
member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the wall panel supporting member of the
collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a left elevation view of the wall panel supporting member of the
collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged left elevation view of the wall panel supporting member
shown in FIG. 1. The illustrated wall panel supporting member is in a
collapsed
configuration.
FIG. 11 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of another wall panel
supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in
FIG.
1.
FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the other wall panel supporting member of the
collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel of the
collapsible storage and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel connected
to
a wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and transportation
unit
shown in FIG. 1.
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FIG. 15 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a wall panel connected
to
another wall panel supporting member of the collapsible storage and
transportation
unit shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 16 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit shown in FIG. 1. The illustrated collapsible storage
and
transportation unit has a first wall panel supporting member, which is
connected to a
wall panel, partially folded.
FIG. 17 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit shown in FIG. 16. The illustrated collapsible storage
and
.. transportation unit has a first wall panel supporting member, which is
connected to a
wall panel, completely folded.
FIG. 18 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit shown in FIG. 17. The illustrated collapsible storage
and
transportation unit has a first and second wall panel supporting members,
which are
connected to two corresponding wall panels, completely folded.
FIG. 19 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit shown in FIG. 18. The illustrated collapsible storage
and
transportation unit has a first and second wall panel supporting members,
which are
connected to two corresponding wall panels, completely folded and a third wall
panel
supporting member, which is also connected to a wall panel, partially folded.
FIG. 20 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit shown in FIG. 19. The illustrated collapsible storage
and
transportation unit has the four wall panel supporting members, which are
connected
to four corresponding wall panels, completely folded and is therefore in a
collapsed
.. configuration.
FIG. 21 is a top, front, right side perspective view of two collapsible
storage
and transportation units shown in FIG. 1 that are stacked over each other. The
two
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illustrated collapsible storage and transportation units are in a uncollapsed
configuration.
FIG. 22 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the two collapsible
storage and transportation units shown in FIG. 21. The two illustrated
collapsible
storage and transportation units are in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 23 is a top, front, right side perspective view of the two collapsible
storage and transportation units shown in FIG. 21. The two illustrated
collapsible
storage and transportation units are in an uncollapsed configuration and no
wall
panel are connected thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description of the embodiments, references to the
accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the
invention may be practised. It will be understood that various embodiments may
be
made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.
Terms
The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed
in this application", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms an aspect", "an embodiment", "a given embodiment",
"embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more
embodiments", "some embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment",
"another embodiment", and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments
of
the disclosed invention(s)", unless expressly specified otherwise.
A reference to "another embodiment" or "another aspect" in describing an
embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive
with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced
embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.
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The terms "including", "comprising", and variations thereof mean "including
but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "a", "an", and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything that
may be incorporated by reference", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of
words that express only the intended result, objective, or consequence of
something
that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is
used in a
claim, the clause or other set of words that the term "whereby" modifies do
not
establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the
meaning or
scope of the claim.
The term "e.g." and like terms mean "for example", and thus do not limit the
terms or phrases they explain.
The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is", and thus limit the terms or
phrases they explain.
Neither the Title nor the Abstract is to be taken as limiting in any way as
the
scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections of the
present
application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the
disclosure in any way.
Numerous embodiments are described in the present application and are
presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not,
and
are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed
invention(s) is
or are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from
the
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disclosure. A skilled addressee will appreciate that the disclosed
invention(s) may be
practised with various modifications and alterations, such as structural
modifications,
for instance. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may
be
described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or
drawings, it
should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or
more
particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described,
unless expressly specified otherwise.
With all this in mind, the present disclosure is directed to a collapsible
storage
and transportation unit. In one embodiment, the collapsible storage and
transportation unit is used for storing cargoes and/or goods. In another
embodiment,
the collapsible storage and transportation unit is used for transporting
and/or
shipping cargoes and/or goods. In the present disclosure, it will be
appreciated that
cargoes and/or goods may be anything that is susceptible to be stored,
transported,
and/or shipped by the use of any kind of containers, including but not limited
to
shipping containers, intermodal containers, cargo containers, freight
containers, ISO
containers, High Cube or Hi-Cube containers, sea or ocean containers, sea cans
or
c cans, container vans or boxes (Conex), for example.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is disclosed a collapsible storage and
transportation unit 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The collapsible
storage
and transportation unit 100 comprises a base 102, a pair of longer wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b, a pair of shorter wall supporting frames 106a,
106b,
four frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d to lock the longer wall
panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b
together in a uncollapsed configuration, as well as four interchangeable wall
panels
110a, 110b, 110c, 110d receivable and securable to the longer wall panel
supporting
frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, as it
will be
described in greater details.
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Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the base 102 will now be described in accordance
with one embodiment. The base 102 is generally rectangular and comprises a
pair of
longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b extending perpendicularly
between a
pair of shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, as well as a lower
face 304, an
5 .. opposed upper face 306, and four corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d. The
upper face
306 includes a cargo area 310 (i.e. where the cargoes and/or goods are
received)
surrounded on its outer edge by a pair of longer peripheral plates 400a, 400b
extending along the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b, and a pair
of
shorter peripheral plates 402a, 402b extending along the shorter parallel
longitudinal
10 sides 302a, 302b. Cargo area 310 may or may not comprise of a plurality
of
additional crossbars underneath for added support of cargo load.
On the lower face 304 of an embodiment, the base 102 comprises four
generally rectangular corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d projecting
perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. downwardly), as illustrated in
FIGS. 3,
.. 5, and 6. The corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d are located at the
corresponding corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d and are adapted to support the
base
102 and its cargo on a corresponding pair of longer strip baseplates 314a,
314b and
a corresponding pair of shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b to which they are
connected. More particularly, the longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b extend
along
the corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b of base 102,
while
the shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b extend along the corresponding shorter
parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b of base 102. Taken together, the longer
strip
baseplates 314a, 314b and the shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b define a
generally rectangular structure having a hollow centre generally centred on
the
.. cargo area 310. It will be appreciated that baseplates 314a, 314b, 316a and
316b
each may similarly have upwardly stamped embossments for increased strength
and
rigidity.
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Still on the lower face 304 of an embodiment, the base 102 further comprises
four generally U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b, 318c, 318d providing
structural rigidity to the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 for
supporting
the cargo. More particularly, the U-shaped central supports 318b, 318d extend
between the corresponding longer peripheral plates 400a, 400b and the
corresponding longer strip baseplates 314a, 314b, while the U-shaped central
supports 318a, 318c extend between the corresponding shorter peripheral plates
402a, 402b and the corresponding shorter strip baseplates 316a, 316b. Each of
the
U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b, 318c, 318d is further centred between
the
corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, therefore defining
lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d along the corresponding longer
parallel
longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and lifting openings 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d
along the
corresponding shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b on the lower face
304 of
base 102.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that the U-shaped central supports
318a, 318b, 318c, 318d may have various configurations, including size, shape
and
location, as long as the lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d and 322a,
322b,
322c, 322d are maintained for the collapsible storage and transportation unit
100 to
be handled by lifting equipment, such as for instance using forklifts, jacks,
and the
likes. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the lifting openings 320a, 320b,
320c, 320d
and 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d may also have various configurations, including
size,
shape and location, as long as the collapsible storage and transportation unit
100
maintain the ability to be handled by lifting equipment.
In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the corner foot
members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d and the U-shaped central supports 318a, 318b,
318c, 318d provide the clearance required for lifting equipment to place
lifting forks
within any of the lifting openings 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d and 322a, 322b,
322c,
322d for handling the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The
skilled
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addressee will appreciate that such a configuration enables the collapsible
storage
and transportation unit 100 to be lifted and handled by any of the longer
parallel
longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and any of the shorter parallel longitudinal
sides 302a,
302b. Alternatively, the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may
be
provided without the corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d such that the
base 102 is closer to the ground instead of being elevated thereof.
On the upper face 306 of an embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
base 102 comprises four generally rectangular alignment notch supports 322a,
322b, 322c, 322d projecting perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e.
upwardly).
The alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d are located at the
corresponding corners 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d, above the corresponding corner
foot
members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, and are adapted to house both four alignment
notches 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d and four slotted hinge members 404a, 404b,
404c,
404d, which includes four corresponding vertical openings 330a, 330b, 330c,
330d.
.. More particularly, atop each alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c,
322d is a
corresponding alignment notch 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d that may be used to stack
the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 over another collapsible
storage
and transportation unit 100. The alignment notch 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d may
also
be used to maintain the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b in an
upstanding position, as it will be described. As it will also be described, on
opposing
faces of the alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d, along the
corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b, are the slotted
hinge
members 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d that may be used to pivot the longer wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b in a completely flat configuration above the base
102.
Still on the upper face 306 of an embodiment, the base 102 further comprises
a pair of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b and a pair of shorter base
sidewalls 328c,
328d extending perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e. upwardly), as
illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4. The longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b extend along the
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corresponding longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b and comprise the
alignment notch supports 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d, four frame supports 406a,
406b,
406c, 406d, and two L-shaped central supports 412a, 412b. The shorter base
sidewalls 328a, 328b extend between the corresponding alignment notch supports
322a, 322b, 322c, 322d of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b, along the
corresponding shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, and comprise
four
frame supports 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d, which includes four vertical openings
332a,
332b, 332c, 332d. In one embodiment, the frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d
and 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d of base 102 are opened at their uppermost portions
to
provide free access to the inside. In an alternative embodiment, the uppermost
portions of frame supports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d and 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d
are
capped off to block this access. Taken together, the longer base sidewalls
326a,
326b and the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b of base 102 define with the
cargo
area 310 an open cavity having an opening directed upwardly. It will be
appreciated
that the pair of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b may have an upwardly
extending
portion located at the middle which provides additional support for longer
wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b.
In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the length Li of the longer
parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is longer than the length Si of the
shorter
parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. In another embodiment, the length Li
of the
longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is shorter than the length Si of
the
shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b. In yet another embodiment, the
length
Li of the longer parallel longitudinal sides 300a, 300b is equal to the length
Si of the
shorter parallel longitudinal sides 302a, 302b, the base 102 thereby being
generally
square.
Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b of base
102 will now further be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the
longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b are mirror images of each other, only the
longer
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base sidewall 326a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate
that a
similar description applies to the longer base sidewall 326b with appropriate
modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the longer base
sidewall
326a, if applicable.
The longer base sidewall 326a of base 102 extends between the corners
308b, 308c along the full length (i.e. the length Li) of the longer parallel
longitudinal
side 300a on the upper face 306 of base 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In one
embodiment, the longer base sidewall 326a comprises on its inner face facing
the
cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102, the alignment notch supports
322b,
322c, which house the alignment notches 324b, 324c, the slotted hinge members
404b, 404c, the frame supports 406b, 406c, and the L-shaped central support
412a.
Located at each extremity of the longer base sidewall 326a, at the
corresponding
corners 308b, 380c, the alignment notches 324b, 324c may fulfill a variety of
functions. For example, the alignment notches 324b, 324c of a first
collapsible
storage and transportation unit 100 are adapted to be received in a
corresponding
socket, not shown, located on the bottom face of corner foot members 312b,
312c of
a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 stacked over the
first
collapsible storage and transportation unit 100. The alignment notches 324b,
324c
are also adapted to be received in a corresponding notch-receiving sockets
720a,
720b of corresponding longer wall panel supporting frame 104a to maintain same
in
an upstanding position, e.g. while the collapsible storage and transportation
unit 100
is in a uncollapsed configuration.
In one embodiment, the alignment notch supports 322b, 322d of longer base
sidewall 326a further comprises the slotted hinge members 404b, 404c, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The slotted hinge members 404b, 404c include
corresponding vertical openings 330b and 330c, which exposed their openings in
opposing direction along the longer peripheral plate 400a. More particularly,
each of
the vertical openings 330b and 330c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c is
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elongated and extends vertically (i.e. parallel to the longer base sidewalls
326a)
along the mutually opposing faces of the alignment notch supports 322b, 322c.
This
configuration enables the slotted hinge members 404b, 404c of base 102 to
connect
corresponding slotted hinge members 800a, 800b of longer wall panel supporting
5 frame 104a with the aid of a guiding cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b such
that the wall
panel 110a may be pivoted relative to the base 102, as it will further be
described.
For supporting the wall panel 110a in an upstanding position while the
collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is in a uncollapsed
configuration, and
with reference to FIG. 4, the longer base sidewall 326a comprises on its inner
face
10 facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102, the wall frame
supports
406b, 406c. In one embodiment, the wall frame supports 406b, 406c generally
define a U-shaped configuration with their concave portions facing and
contacting
the longer base sidewall 326a and projecting from the longer peripheral plate
400a
in a direction generally perpendicularly relative to the base 102 (i.e.
upwardly). The
15 frame supports 406b, 406c are also adjacent to the corresponding
alignment notch
supports 322b, 322c of base 102, next to the vertical openings 330b, 330c of
slotted
hinge members 404b, 404c.
In another embodiment, the L-shaped central support 412a generally defines
an inverted L-shaped configuration with its vertical projection projecting
generally
perpendicularly from the longer peripheral plate 400a (i.e. upwardly) and its
connecting horizontal projection projecting horizontally to connect the longer
base
sidewall 326a. The L-shaped central support 412a is located at the centre of
the
longer base sidewall 326a, just above the U-shaped central support 318b.
Alternatively, the L-shaped central support 412a may extend all the way across
the
longer base sidewall 326a.
Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b of base
102 will now further be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the
shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b are mirror images of each other, only the
shorter
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base sidewall 328a will be described. The skilled addressee will appreciate
that a
similar description applies to the shorter base sidewall 328b with appropriate
modifications to account for the fact it is a mirror image of the shorter base
sidewall
328a, if applicable.
The shorter base sidewall 328a of base 102 extends between the corners
308a, 308b along the length S2 on the shorter parallel longitudinal side 302a
on the
upper face 306 of base 102, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the
shorter
base sidewall 328a comprises the frame supports 408a, 408b on its inner face
facing the cargo area 310 inside the cavity of base 102. As for the longer
base
sidewall 326a, the frame supports 408a, 408b of shorter base sidewall 328a
also
generally defines a U-shaped configuration with their concave portions facing
and
contacting the shorter base sidewall 328a and projecting from the shorter
peripheral
plate 402a in a direction generally perpendicularly relative to the base 102
(i.e.
upwardly). Located at each extremity of the shorter base sidewall 328a, the
frame
supports 408a, 408b are also adjacent to the corresponding alignment notch
supports 322a, 322b of longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b. More particularly,
the
frame supports 408a, 408b are generally arranged perpendicularly relative to
the
corresponding alignment notch 322a of longer base sidewall 326b and the
corresponding alignment notch 322b of longer base sidewall 326a.
In another embodiment where the collapsible storage and transportation unit
100 is collapsible, the frame supports 408a, 408b of shorter base sidewall
328a
further comprises the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3
and 4. The slotted hinge members 410a, 410b include the corresponding vertical
openings 332a and 332b, which exposed their openings in opposing direction
along
the shorter peripheral plate 402a. More particularly, each of the vertical
openings
332a and 332b of slotted hinge members 410a, 410b is elongated and extends
vertically (i.e. parallel to the shorter base sidewalls 328a) along the
mutually
opposing faces of the frame supports 408a, 408b. This configuration enables
the
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slotted hinge members 410a, 410b of base 102 to connect corresponding slotted
hinge members 1200a, 1200b of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a with
the
aid of guiding cylindrical pins, not shown, such that the wall panel 110d may
be
pivoted relative to the base 102, as it will further be described.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that the frame supports 406a, 406b,
406c, 406d and the L-shaped central supports 412a, 412b of longer base
sidewalls
326a, 326b as well as the frame supports 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d of shorter
base
sidewalls 328a, 328b are adapted to support the longer wall panel supporting
frames
104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b in an upstanding
position (e.g. while the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is in
a
uncollapsed configuration). It will further be appreciated that the frame
supports
406a, 406b, 406c, 406d, 408a, 408b, 408c, 408d and the L-shaped central
supports
412a, 412b of a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 in a
uncollapsed
configuration are further adapted to support the weight of a second
collapsible
storage and transportation unit 100 that stacked over the first collapsible
storage and
transportation unit 100.
In the present disclosure, the skilled addressee will also appreciate that the
longer base sidewalls 326a, 326b (including all its structures and functions
described
herein) may be generally interchanged with the shorter base sidewalls 328a,
328b
(including all its structures and functions described herein) to produce a
base 102.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a,
104b will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the longer
wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are mirror images of each other, only
the
longer wall panel supporting frame 104a will be described. The skilled
addressee will
appreciate that a similar description applies to the longer wall panel
supporting
frame 104b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a
mirror image
of the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, if applicable.
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In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the longer wall
panel supporting frame 104a generally defines a U-shaped frame 700 having a
first
inner face 900 directed towards the cargo area 302 when the wall panel
supporting
frame 104a is properly mounted on the base 102 and a second outer face 902 on
the opposite face relative to the inner face 900. The longer wall panel
supporting
frame 104a comprises a horizontal cross-member 702 having a first and a second
extremity 704a, 704b from which a corresponding first and second post members
706a, 706b project generally perpendicular therefrom (i.e. vertically) to
define the U-
shaped configuration of the U-shaped frame 700 along with an opened centre
portion (i.e. inside the U-shape structure).
The post members 706, 706b of a given embodiment generally define a
rectangular configuration and comprise a pair of outer sides 708a, 708b
extending
perpendicularly between a pair of inner sides 710a, 710b where both the outer
sides
708a, 708b and the inner sides 710a, 710b are connected at the middle by
.. horizontal elements 712a, 712b and at their most distant part, opposing to
the cross-
member 702, by upper sides 714a, 714b. Taken together, the outer sides 708a,
708b, the inner sides 710a, 710b, the horizontal elements 712a, 712b, and the
upper
sides 714a, 714b define with a corresponding portion of the cross-member 702
four
embossments 716 on the outer face 902 of longer wall panel supporting frame
104a.
Located at each of the extremity 704a, 704b of horizontal cross-member 702
and contacting the outer sides 708a, 708b of post members 706a, 706b are a
corresponding first and second hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b with
corresponding first and second slotted hinge members 800a, 800b secured
thereto,
as illustrated in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, each slotted hinge members 800a,
800b
generally defines a L-shaped configuration with a first horizontal segment 802
connecting to the horizontal cross-member 702 of longer wall panel supporting
frame 104a and a second vertical segment 804 projecting from each of the
corresponding extremity 704a, 704b of horizontal cross-member 702, generally
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parallel thereof (i.e. downwardly). As illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the
vertical
segment 804 of slotted hinge members 800a, 800b is perforated at its most
distant,
free extremity to receive the guiding cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b therein
(only 1000b
is shown). The slotted hinge member 800a of longer wall panel supporting frame
104a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge member 404b of
longer
base sidewall 326a, while the slotted hinge member 800b of longer wall panel
supporting frame 104a is adapted to engage the corresponding slotted hinge
member 404c of longer base sidewalls 326a. The slotted hinge members 800a,
800b and 404b, 404c are pivotally connected together with the aid of guiding
cylindrical pin 1000a, 1000b, which pass through the perforation of each of
the
vertical segment 804 of slotted hinge members 800a, 800b to the vertical
openings
330b, 330c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c of base 102. The skilled
addressee
will appreciate that this configuration enables the longer wall panel
supporting
frames 104a, 104b to be hingedly and pivotally connected to the base 102.
To assist maintaining the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a in an
upstanding position on the base 102 (i.e. while the collapsible storage and
transportation unit is in a uncollapsed configuration), a pair of notch-
receiving
sockets 720a, 720b is provided on the bottom face of each corresponding outer
sides 708a, 708b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, just next to the
corresponding hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b, as in an embodiment
illustrated
in FIGS. 7 and 8. The notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b comprise
corresponding
rectangular openings 806a, 806b facing in a longitudinal direction relative to
the
outer sides 708a, 708b of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a. The
rectangular
openings 806a, 806b of notch-receiving sockets 720a, 720b are configured to
.. receive the corresponding alignment notches 324b, 324c of base 102 therein.
More
particularly, the hinge-receiving elements 718a, 718b provide the appropriate
offset
required by the alignment notch supports 322b, 322c of longer base sidewall
326a
such that the alignment notches 324b, 324c of longer base sidewalls 326a are
received in the corresponding rectangular opening 806a, 806b of notch-
receiving
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sockets 720a, 720 while the upstanding longer wall panel supporting frame 104a
(e.g. in the uncollapsed configuration) is moved down towards the base 102 by
the
action of the slotted hinge members 800a, 800b and 404b, 404c.
Four frame locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d are provided on the
5 longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall panel
supporting frames 106a, 106b, above each corresponding corners 308a, 308b,
308c, 308d of base 102, to lock the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a,
104b
and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b together so that the
collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is also locked in a
uncollapsed
10 configuration. The locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d includes
corresponding
locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of longer wall panel supporting frames
104a,
104b and corresponding hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, 1112d of
shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b (for clarity, only the locking
hooks
722b, 722c and the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b are illustrated).
15 In the case of the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a, the locking
elements 108b, 108c comprise corresponding locking hooks 722b, 722c, which are
located on the inner face 900 at the free, most distant end of corresponding
post
members 706a, 706b relative to the horizontal cross-member 702. Each of the
locking hooks 722b, 722c defines a generally L-shaped configuration having a
first
20 horizontal segment 904 connected to the inner face 900 of post members
706a,
706b and a vertical segment 906 projecting parallel towards the upper sides
714a,
714b (i.e. upwardly). Each free extremity of the vertical segment 906 also
includes
an end 908 angled away from the post members 706a, 706b. As it will be
described,
the locking hooks 722b, 722c of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are
configured to engage corresponding hook-receiving socket 1112b, 1112c of
upstanding shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b while the upstanding
shorter
wall supporting frames 106a, 106b are moved down towards the base 102 by the
action of the slotted hinge members 400b, 400c and 800a, 800b. In this
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configuration, the end 908 facilitates physical coupling between the locking
hooks
722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and
the
hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, 1112d of shorter wall panel
supporting
frames 106a, 106b.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the longer wall panel supporting frame 104a also
comprises rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b along the corresponding outer side
708a, 708b of post members 706a, 706b. The rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b
located on the outer face 902 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are
configured to receive the corresponding locking hooks 722a, 722d, not shown,
located on the inner face 900 of longer wall panel supporting frame 104b. More
particularly, and with reference to FIG. 10, the rectangular cut holes 724a,
724b are
in a position relationship with the locking hooks 722a, 722d of longer wall
panel
supporting frame 104b to enable the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a,
104b
of a collapsed collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 to fold
completely flat
without banking at angles. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this
configuration enables a stable stacking of a collapsible storage and
transportation
unit 100 over another collapsed collapsible storage and transportation unit
100.
In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 7, the inner edge of the opened
centre portion of U-shaped frame 700 comprises a series of nine wall panel-
.. receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i. The
wall
panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b are located on the horizontal cross-member
702
(facing therefore upwardly), each adjacent to the corresponding inner sides
710a,
710b of post members 706a, 706b, and are configured to receive the
corresponding
wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b of wall panel 110a therein. The wall panel-
receiving
hole 726i, also located on the horizontal cross-member 702 (facing therefore
upwardly), is also configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pin
1316i of
wall panel 110a therein. The wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d, 726e,
726f,
726g, 726h are each located on the corresponding inner sides 710a, 710b
(facing
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therefore horizontally), adjacent to the upper sides 714a, 714b of post
members
706a, 706b, and are adapted to receive the corresponding wall panel pins
1316c,
1316d, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g. 1316h of wall panel 110a therein. As it will be
described, the wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f,
726g,
726h, 726i are adapted to attach and secure the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c,
110d
to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.
In one embodiment, a pair of alignment notches 728a, 728b are further
comprised on the upper sides 714a, 714b of post members 706a, 706b of longer
wall panel supporting frame 104a for stacking a collapsible storage and
transportation units 100 over another collapsible storage and transportation
units
100 that is in a uncollapsed configuration (the all four alignment notches
728a, 728b,
728c, 728d are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2). The alignment notches 728a, 728b of
longer wall panel supporting frame 104a are each aligned along the
corresponding
outer sides 708a, 708b and project away from the post members 706a, 706b (i.e.
upwardly). As for the alignment notches 322a, 322b, 322c, 322d of base 102,
the
alignment notches 728a, 728b, 728c, 728d of longer wall panel supporting
frames
104a, 104b are adapted to receive a corresponding socket, not shown, located
on
the bottom face of the corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c,
312d
of another collapsible storage and transportation unit 100.
Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a,
106b will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the
shorter
wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are mirror images of each other, only
the
shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a will be described. The skilled
addressee
will appreciate that a similar description applies to the shorter wall panel
supporting
frame 106b with appropriate modifications to account for the fact it is a
mirror image
of the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a, if applicable.
In one embodiment, the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a also
generally defines a U-shaped configuration 1100 having a first inner face 1102
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directed towards the cargo area 302 when the shorter wall panel supporting
frame
106a is properly mounted on the base 102 and a second opposed outer face 1104,
as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The shorter wall panel supporting frame
106a
comprises a horizontal cross-member 1106 having a first and a second extremity
1108a, 1108b from which a corresponding first and second post members 1110a,
1110b project generally perpendicular therefrom (i.e. vertically) to define
the U-
shaped configuration of the U-shaped frame 1100 along with an opened centre
portion (i.e. inside the U-shape structure). Each of the post members 1110a,
1110b
is generally U-shaped with their concave face facing the cargo area 310 inside
the
cavity of base 102. In one embodiment, the post members 1110a, 1110b of the
shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are generally narrower than
corresponding post members 706a, 706b of the longer wall supporting frames
104a,
104b. Alternatively, the post members 1110a, 1110b of the shorter wall panel
supporting frames 106a, 106b may generally be wider than corresponding post
members 706a, 706b of the longer wall supporting frames 104a, 104b.
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, located at each of the extremity 1108a,
1108b of horizontal cross-member 1106 is a corresponding first and second
slotted
hinge members 1200a, 1200b secured thereto. In one embodiment, each slotted
hinge members 1200a, 1200b generally defines a Z-shaped configuration having a
first horizontal segment 1202 connecting to the horizontal cross-member 1106
of
shorter wall supporting frame 106a, a second vertical segment 1204 projecting
perpendicularly from the first extremity of the horizontal segment 1202a,
along a
corresponding post members 1110a, 1110b (i.e. upwardly), and a third vertical
segment 1206 projecting perpendicularly from the second extremity of the
horizontal
segment 1202a in a direction opposed to the corresponding post members 1110a,
1110b (i.e. downwardly). Each of the vertical segment 1206 of slotted hinge
members 1200a, 1200b is perforated at its most distant, free extremity to
receive the
guiding cylindrical pin therein, not shown. The slotted hinge member 1200a of
shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is adapted to engage the
corresponding
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slotted hinge member 410a of shorter base sidewall 328a, while the slotted
hinge
member 1200b of shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a is adapted to engage
the corresponding slotted hinge member 410b of shorter base sidewall 328a. The
slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b and 410a, 410b are pivotally connected
together with the aid of guiding cylindrical pin, not shown, which pass
through the
perforation of each of the vertical segment 1206 of slotted hinge members
1200a,
1200b to the vertical openings 332a, 332b of slotted hinge members 410a, 410b.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that this configuration enables the
shorter wall
panel supporting frames 106a, 106b to be hingedly and pivotally connected to
the
base 102.
To be maintained in an upstanding position on the base 102 (e.g. while the
collapsible storage and transportation unit is in an uncollaped configuration)
by the
longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the shorter wall supporting
frames
106a, 106b each comprises a pair of hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b on the
outer face 1104 of post members 1110a, 1110b, as in an embodiment illustrated
in
FIGS. 7 and 9. The hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b are configured to
receive
therein the corresponding locking hook 904a of upstanding longer wall panel
supporting frame 104a and the corresponding locking hook, not shown, of
upstanding longer wall panel supporting frame 104b while the upstanding
shorter
wall supporting frame 106a is moved down towards the base 102 by the action of
the slotted hinge members 410a, 410b and 1200a, 1200b. It will be appreciated
that
the angled ends 910a, 910b of each of the vertical segments 908a, 908b
facilitate
the physical coupling between the locking hooks 904a, 904b of longer wall
panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b and the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b of
shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.
As described for the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, the frame
locking elements 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d lock the longer wall panel supporting
frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b
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together so that the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is also
locked in
a uncollapsed configuration. In addition, the frame locking elements 108a,
108b,
108c, 108d maintain the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b in an
upstanding position.
5 In the case of the shorter wall panel supporting frame 106a, the locking
elements 108b, 108c comprise corresponding hook-receiving sockets 1112a,
1112b,
which are located on the inner face 1102 at the free, most distant end of
corresponding post members 1110a, 1110b relative to the horizontal cross-
member
1106. The hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b of wall panel supporting frame
106a
10 generally define U-shaped openings 1208a, 1208b opened towards the
horizontal
cross-member 1106, along the post members 1110a, 1110b, that are adapted to
receive the corresponding locking hooks 722a, 722b of longer wall panel
supporting
frames 104a, 104b.
In one embodiment, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b comprise
15 the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b, 1112c, 1112d, while the longer
wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b comprise the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c,
722d.
Alternatively, the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b may comprise the
locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d, while the longer wall panel supporting
frames
104a, 104b comprise may comprise the hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b,
20 1112c, 1112d. The skilled addressee will appreciate that any kind of
locking
mechanism enabling a locking of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a,
104b with the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b in a uncollapsed
configuration may be used.
The inner edge of the opened centre portion of U-shaped frame 1100 also
25 comprises a series of nine wall panel-receiving holes 1114a, 1114b,
1114c, 1114d,
1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i as in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11.
The
wall panel-receiving holes 1114a, 1114b are located on the horizontal cross-
member
1106 (facing therefore upwardly), adjacent to the corresponding post members
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1112a, 1112b, and are configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pins
1316a, 1316b of wall panel 110a therein. The wall panel-receiving hole 1114i,
also
located on the horizontal cross-member 1106 (facing therefore upwardly), is
also
configured to receive the corresponding wall panel pin 1316i of wall panel
110a
therein. The wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h are
located along the corresponding post members 1110a, 1110b (facing therefore
horizontally), adjacent to the corresponding post members 1112a, 1112b, and
are
adapted to receive the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d, 1316e,
1316f,
1316g, 1316h of wall panel 110a therein. As it will be described, the wall
panel-
receiving holes 1114a, 1114b, 1114c, 1114d, 1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i
are
adapted to attach and secure the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d to the
shorter
wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.
In the present disclosure, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the
longer
wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b (including all its structures and
functions
described herein) may be interchanged with shorter wall supporting frames
106a,
106b (including all its structures and functions described herein). It will
also be
appreciated that various configurations of longer wall panel supporting frame
104a,
104b and various configurations of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b
may
be used, including inverted U-shaped frames (i.e. frames having the free
extremities
of the post members directed towards the cross-member) and square frames (i.e.
frames having a square configuration with a hollow centre receivable for the
wall
panel), for example.
The skilled addressee will further appreciate that while the slotted hinge
members disclosed enable the folding of the shorter wall panel supporting
frames
106a, 106b in a random order first, followed by the folding of the longer wall
panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b in a random order, all the slotted hinge members
disclosed may also be adapted in size and shape to enable folding any of the
shorter
wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b and any of the longer wall panel
supporting
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frames 104a, 104b in any random order over the base 102. It will further be
appreciated that any kind of hinges, including slotted hinges and L-shaped
slotted
hinge members, that enable the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b
and
the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b to be pivoted, either randomly
or not,
in order to collapse the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 may
also be
used.
Furthermore, while two slotted hinges are described for each of the longer
wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and each of the shorter wall
supporting
frames 106a, 106b, the skilled addressee will appreciate that any number of
slotted
hinges may be used. It will also be appreciated that the slotted hinges may be
attached or secured to the wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the
shorter wall
supporting frames 106a, 106b, and the base 102 by a variety of ways, including
but
not limited to riveting, screwing, welding, and the likes.
Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the four wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d will
now be described in accordance with one embodiment. Since the wall panels
110a,
110b, 110c, 110d may be interchangeably connected and secured between the
corresponding post members 706a, 706b of longer wall panel supporting frames
104a, 104b and the corresponding post members 1110a, 1110b of shorter wall
supporting frames 106a, 106b, only the wall panels 110a will be described. The
skilled addressee will appreciate that a similar description applies to all
the other
three wall panels 110b, 110c, 110d considering appropriate modification, if
applicable.
The wall panel 110a of a given embodiment generally defines a rectangular
configuration and comprises a pair of longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b
extending
perpendicularly between a pair of shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b, as well
as
inner face 1304, an opposed outer face 1306, and four corners 1308a, 1308b,
1308c, 1308d, as illustrated in FIG. 13. To add structural rigidity, five
corrugation
members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e defining six embossments 1312a,
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1312b, 1312c, 1312d, 1310e, 1310f are also comprised on the outer face 1306 of
wall panels 110a. The five corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 1310d,
1310e of the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d may also be modified to a
design
which has different patterns or configurations to accommodate for differently
shaped
cargo loads or client requirements and needs. For example, the current design
of the
wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d may be switched to a meshed pattern
consisting
of several overlapping or crossing members which form a grid or cage, with or
without a back panel exposing the cargo load inside. Similarly, these members
may
or may not have the same orientation and dimensions as one another. The
skilled
addressee will further appreciate that such modified design for the wall
panels 110a,
110b, 110c, 110d will be mountable onto the wall panel supporting frames 104a,
104b, 106a, 106b in the same fashion as originally displayed. Additionally, if
required
by the client, such modified design for the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d
may
comprise of an inward extension or jig which extends to the inside of the
cargo area.
Such an inward extension may comprise of a racking system used for carrying
specific cargo loads which may be regularly or irregularly shaped with respect
to the
cargo area. The corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e extend
between the longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b, parallel to the shorter
parallel sides
1302a, 1302b, and are generally U-shaped with their concave faces facing the
cargo
area 310 inside the cavity of base 102. Shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b
and five
corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e may or may not overlap
the front and back faces of the pair of longer parallel sides 1300a, 1300b.
Also
present on the outer face 1308 are a pair of horizontal cross-members 1314a,
1314b
extending between the corresponding corrugation members 1310a, 1310b and
1310d, 1310e. Such pair of flat horizontal cross-members 1314a and 1314b may
also be placed higher up along the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d along
with
having an inwardly curved orientation, forming a handle.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the corrugation members 1310a,
1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e are spaced apart from each other by the same
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distance. The corrugation members 1310a, 1310e are also spaced apart from the
corresponding shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b by a same distance, which is
different from the distance separating each of the corrugation members 1310a,
1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e. Alternatively, the distance separating each of the
corrugation members 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, 1310d, 1310e as well as the distance
separating the corrugation members 1312a, 1312e from the corresponding shorter
parallel sides 1302a, 1302b may be the same or different.
On its outer periphery, and still referring to FIG. 13, the wall panel 110a
also
includes a series of nine wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316c, 1316d, 1316e,
1316f,
1316g, 1316h, 1316i adapted to engage corresponding wall panel-receiving holes
726a, 726b, 726c, 726d, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i of longer wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b and wall panel-receiving holes 1114a, 1114b,
1114c,
1114d, 1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i of shorter wall supporting frames
106a,
106b. The wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b are located at the corresponding
corners
.. 1308c, 1308d of wall panel 110a where they project perpendicularly from the
corresponding longer parallel side 1300b (i.e. downwardly) and are adapted to
engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b of longer wall
panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding wall panel-receiving
holes 1114a, 1114b of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b.ln addition,
the
wall panel pin 1316i is located in between wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b of
wall panel
110a where it projects perpendicularly from the corresponding longer parallel
side
1300b (i.e. downwardly) and is adapted to engage the corresponding wall panel-
receiving hole 726i of longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the
corresponding wall panel-receiving hole 1114i of shorter wall supporting
frames
.. 106a, 106b. The wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d are located at the
corresponding
corners 1308a, 1308b where they project perpendicularly from the corresponding
shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b (i.e. sidewardly), and are adapted to
engage
the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d of longer wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b and the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes
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1114c, 1114d of shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b. The skilled
addressee
will appreciate that the wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316c, 1316d, 1316e,
1316f,
1316g, 1316h, 1316i are adapted to attach the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c,
110d
to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall
5 supporting frames 106a, 106b. Wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e, 1316f,
1316g,
1316h, 1316i may similarly be placed at different locations along the members
1300b, 1302a, 1302b of the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d in more or less
quantities if needed. Wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e, 1316f, 1316g,
1316h,
1316i may also be changed from a circular cross-section to rectangular,
tapered
10 one.
To be secured to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to
the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, the wall panel 110a further
comprises a pair of spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b accessible
from
the outer face 1306 and located at the corresponding corners 1308a, 1308b, as
in
15 an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. Each of the spring-loaded securing
handles
1318a, 1318b generally defines a L-shaped configuration having a first
horizontal
segment 1320, which includes the corresponding wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d at
its
free, most distant end, and a second vertical segment 1322, which includes a
handle
portion. The horizontal segment 1320 is generally parallel to the longer
parallel side
20 1300a and is maintained in place by a housing bracket 1324 and by
passing through
corresponding perforations of shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. The
spring-
loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b may be replaced by a similarly shaped
mechanism which does not contain a spring, if necessary.
In one embodiment, the horizontal segment 1320 includes a coil-spring 1326
25 located between the housing bracket 1324 and the corresponding shorter
longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. In a rest state, the coil-spring 1326 biases
the
spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b such that the corresponding wall
panel pins 1316c, 1316d are projecting perpendicularly from the corresponding
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shorter parallel sides 1302a, 1302b (i.e. sidewardly). Accordingly, a force
opposed to
the force of the spring-coil 1326 (e.g. by using the handle of vertical
segment 1322)
may be applied to the spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318 to retract
the wall
panel pins 1316c, 1316d within the shorter longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b,
inside
the wall panel 110a. In another embodiment, while the spring-loaded securing
handles 1318a, 1318b are in the rest state, the vertical segment 1322 is
secured in
place by a clip 1328 located on the outer face 1306 of wall panel 110a, within
the
embossment created by the corrugation members 1310a, 1310e and the shorter
parallel sides 1302a, 1302b. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the
wall panel
pins 1316c, 1316d are adapted to secure the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d
to
the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall
supporting frames 106a, 106b.
To attach and secure the wall panel 110a, the wall panel pins 1316c, 1316d
of spring-loaded securing handles 1318a, 1318b are first retracted within the
shorter
longitudinal sides 1302a, 1302b. The wall panel 110a is then aligned with and
moved down towards the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b or the
shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b to be received in the centre portion
of U-
shaped frames 700, 1110 thereof. The wall panel pins 1316a, 1316b, 1316e,
1316f,
1316g, 1316h, 1316i therefore engage the corresponding wall panel-receiving
holes
726a, 726b, 726e, 726f, 726g, 726h, 726i or the corresponding wall panel-
receiving
holes 1114a, 1114b, 1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i to attach the wall panel
110a to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b or to the shorter
wall
panel supporting frames 106a, 106b, respectively. When in place, the panel
pins
1316c, 1316d are moved from their retracted positions to engage the
corresponding
wall panel-receiving holes 726c, 726d of longer wall panel supporting frames
104a,
104b or the corresponding wall panel-receiving holes 1114c, 1114d of shorter
wall
panel supporting frames 106a, 106b by the action of the coil-spring 1326,
thereby
securing the wall panel 110a. Wall panel-receiving holes 726a, 726b, 726e,
726f,
726g, 726h, 726i, 1114a, 1114b, 1114e, 1114f, 1114g, 1114h, 1114i may
similarly
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be placed at different locations along the members 702, 710a, 710b of the
longer
wall panel supporting frame 104a, 104b and members 1110a, 1110b, 1106 of
shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b in more or less quantities as
shown, if needed. Their circular orientation may also be changed to a slotted
shape
for accommodating a rectangular, tapered wall panel pin. Such a slotted shape
may
also extend to the front faces of wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b,
106a,
106b.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that any kind of wall panel pins and
wall
panel-receiving holes, including wall panel-receiving holes located on wall
panel and
wall panel pins located on supporting frames, may be used. It will also be
appreciated that various kinds of spring-loaded securing pins, including
removable
securing pins and securing pins functioning by rocking at least one of their
elements
to lock a wall panel into a wall panel supporting frame, may also be used.
The wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d are all interchangeably connectable
and securable to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, as
illustrated
in FIG. 14, and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a, 106b, as illustrated
in FIG.
15. In another embodiment, at least one of the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c,
110d is
interchangeably connectable and securable to at least one of the longer wall
panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter wall supporting frames 106a,
106b. In
still another embodiment, with the exception of the at least one
interchangeably
connectable and securable wall panel, all the remaining wall panels are
permanently
fixed to the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and the shorter
wall
supporting frames 106a, 106b. In yet another embodiment, the wall panels 110a,
110b, 110c, 110d are neither interchangeably connectable nor securable to the
longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b and to the shorter wall
supporting
frames 106a, 106b such that the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d such that
they
are all permanently fixed to the collapsible storage and transportation unit
100. The
skilled addressee will appreciate that the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d
may
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be stackable over each other and may also be transportable independently of
the
storage and transportation unit 100.
Turning to FIGS. 16 to 20, the collapsing and uncollapsing of the collapsible
storage and transportation unit 100 will now be described in accordance with
one
embodiment.
In one embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 16 to 19, the collapsible storage
and transportation unit 100 may be collapsed by first folding any one of the
shorter
wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b on over the base 102, and then folding
any
one of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b over the shorter
wall
panel supporting frames 106a, 106b. Since the folding of each of the shorter
wall
panel supporting frames 106a, 106b is the same, only the folding of shorter
wall
panel supporting frame 106a will be described. The skilled addressee will
appreciate
that a similar description applies to the shorter wall panel supporting frame
106b with
appropriate modifications, if applicable. The skilled addressee will further
appreciate
that the uncollapsing of the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100
generally
follows a reverse order taking into account appropriate modification, if
applicable.
To fold it over the base 102 from its upstanding position, the shorter wall
panel supporting frame 106a is pulled away from the base 102, in a direction
opposed thereof (i.e. upwardly), by a displacement corresponding to the
displacement of the vertical openings 332a, 332b of slotted hinge members
410a,
410b, as in one embodiment. By doing so, the displacement covered by the
shorter
wall panel supporting frame 106a provides the clearance required to disengage
the
hook-receiving sockets 1112a, 1112b from a corresponding locking hook 722b of
longer wall panel supporting frame 104a and the corresponding locking hook
722a of
longer wall panel supporting frame 104b. From this upward position, the
shorter wall
panel supporting frame 106a may then be pivoted relative to the base 102 to be
folded over the cargo area 310 by the combined action of the slotted hinge
members
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410a, 410b of base 102, the slotted hinge members 1200a, 1200b of shorter wall
panel supporting frame 106a, and the guiding cylindrical pins, not shown.
In another embodiment, the folding of each of the longer wall panel
supporting frames 104a, 104b is also the same and only the folding of longer
wall
panel supporting frame 104a will be described. The skilled addressee will
appreciate
that a similar description applies to the longer wall panel supporting frame
104b with
appropriate modifications, if applicable.
To fold it over the base 102 from its upstanding position, the longer wall
panel
supporting frame 104a is pulled away from the base 102, in a direction opposed
thereof (i.e. upwardly), by a displacement corresponding to the displacement
of the
vertical openings 332b, 332c of slotted hinge members 404b, 404c, as in one
embodiment. By doing so, the displacement covered by the longer wall panel
supporting frame 104a provides a clearance required to disengage the notch-
receiving sockets 720a, 720 from the corresponding alignment notches 324b,
324c
of base 102. From this upward position, the longer wall panel supporting frame
104a
may then be pivoted relative to the base 102 to be folded over any one of the
shorter
wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b by the combined action of the slotted
hinge
members 404b, 404c of base 102, the slotted hinge members 800a, 800b of longer
wall panel supporting frame 104a, and the guiding cylindrical pins 1000a,
1000b.
When folded, the locking hooks 722a, 722b, 722c, 722d of the first folded
longer wall
panel supporting frames 104a, 104b are received within the corresponding free
spaces created by the offset of the shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a,
106b
and the shorter base sidewalls 328a, 328b, while the locking hooks 722a, 722b,
722c, 722d of the second folded longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b
are
received within the rectangular cut holes 724a, 724b of the first folded
longer wall
panel supporting frames 104a, 104b.
In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the collapsed configuration of the
collapsible storage and transportation unit 100 is completely flat with the
longer wall
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panel supporting frames 104a, 104b, the shorter wall panel supporting frames
106a,
106b, and the wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d being generally parallel to
the
base 102. Alternatively, the collapsible storage and transportation unit 100
may fold
in a configuration where the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b
and the
5 shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b are not folded completely
flat, but
at an angled relative to the base 102 as long as the collapsible storage and
transportation unit 100 remains stackable. Still in the illustrated
embodiment, the
shorter wall panel supporting frames 106a, 106b is folded down first, followed
by the
folding of the longer wall panel supporting frames 104a, 104b to collapse the
10 collapsible storage and transportation unit 100.
Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, the stacking of at least two collapsible storage
and transportation units 100 where any of the collapsible storage and
transportation
unit 100 are in a collapsed and/or uncollapsed configuration(s) will now be
described
in accordance with one embodiment.
15 In one embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit
2100
may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 2102
while
both the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 2100,
2102 are
in a uncollapsed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 21. In this case, the
alignment
notches 728a, 728b, 728c, 728d of collapsible storage and transportation unit
2102
20 may assist in aligning the collapsible storage and transportation unit
2100 by
engaging the corresponding sockets, not shown, located on the bottom face of
corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d of collapsible
storage
and transportation unit 2100 to prevent its lateral movement.
In another embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit
25 2200 may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation
unit 2202
while both the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units
2200,
2202 are in a collapsed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 22. In this
case, the
alignment notches 324a, 324b, 324c, 324d of collapsible storage and
transportation
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unit 2202 may assist in aligning the collapsible storage and transportation
unit 2200
by engaging the corresponding sockets, not shown, located on the bottom face
of
corresponding corner foot members 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d of collapsible
storage
and transportation unit 2200 to prevent its lateral movement. The skilled
addressee
will appreciate that a collapsible storage and transportation unit in a
collapsed
configuration may be used like a traditional crate pallet and the likes,
therefore
exposing the goods and/or cargo to the outside environment.
In another embodiment, a first collapsible storage and transportation unit 100
may be stacked over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit 100
while
any of the first and second collapsible storage and transportation units 100
is in a
collapsed and/or uncollapsed configuration(s). Still in this embodiment, the
first and
second collapsible storage and transportation units may also be stacked over
each
other while at least one wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d is connected to
any one
of them. Alternatively, neither of the first and second collapsible storage
and
transportation units 100 have wall panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d connected
thereto
to facilitate access to cargo, therefore exposing the goods and/or cargo to
the
outside environment. This last configuration may be useful, e.g., when it is
not
desired to store and/or transport cargo in an enclosed space (e.g. plants,
animals,
livestock, etc.) or when a reduced weight collapsible storage and
transportation unit
100 would be desirable.
In still another embodiment, the base 102 alone (without any other elements
of a collapsible storage and transportation unit) or any alternative
covering/capping
element may be stacked over a collapsible storage and transportation unit to
provide
a ceiling to it.
Although the present embodiments illustrated the stacking of two collapsible
storage and transportation units 100 over each other, the skilled addressee
will
appreciate that any number of collapsible storage and transportation units
100, each
in either of the collapsed or uncollapsed configuration, may also be stacked.
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The skilled addressee will appreciate that the collapsible storage and
transportation unit 100, including all the elements thereof, may be
manufactured
from steel or any suitable metal alloys or polymers (e.g. plastics) by any
appropriate
manufacturing technique, including but not limited to forming, shaping,
joining, and
welding metal sheets.
Although the above description relates to specific preferred embodiments as
presently contemplated by the inventor, the skilled addressee will appreciate
that the
invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents
of the
elements described herein.
CLAUSES
Clause 1: A collapsible storage and transportation unit, comprising:
¨ a base including a cargo area surrounded by an edge having four ends;
¨ four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of the base,
each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post
member and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members
being pivotable between a folded configuration and an unfolded
configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the wall panel
supporting members are lying down over the base and the collapsible
storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed configuration, wherein in
the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given wall panel
supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall
panel supporting member are both adjacent to each other and project
together from each corresponding end of the base generally
perpendicularly thereto; and
¨ four locking means, each locking means comprising a first locking
member and a second locking member, the first locking member being
located on a first post member of a first wall panel supporting member,
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the second locking member being located on a second post member of a
second wall panel supporting member, wherein the physical coupling
between the first locking member and the second locking member
enables locking the first wall panel supporting member and the second
wall panel supporting member in a uncollapsed configuration,
wherein a first collapsible storage and transportation unit is stackable over
a
second collapsible storage and transportation unit.
Clause 2:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to
clause 1, further comprising at least one wall panel, the at least one wall
panel being
connectable between two corresponding post members of any wall panel
supporting
member.
Clause 3:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first collapsible storage and
transportation unit
in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration is stackable
over the
second collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed
and
the uncollapsed configuration.
Clause 4:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to
clause 2, wherein the collapsible storage and transportation unit is
transportable in
presence or absence of the at least one wall panel.
Clause 5: The
collapsible storage and transportation unit according to
clause 2, wherein the first collapsible storage and transportation unit and
the second
collapsible storage and transportation unit are stackable over each other in
presence
or absence of the at least one wall panel.
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Clause 6:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 2, 4, and 5, wherein the at least one wall panel is stackable
over
another wall panel.
Clause 7:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 2, 4 to 6, wherein the at least one wall panel is transportable
while
stacked over another wall panel.
Clause 8:
The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members
comprises a U-shaped frame.
Clause 9: The
collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 2, 4 to 7, wherein the at least one wall panel is received
within the U-
shaped frame.
Clause 10: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members
comprises at least one hinge.
Clause 11: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to
clause 10, wherein the at least one hinge comprises a slotted hinge.
Clause 12: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 10 and 11, wherein the slotted hinge is sized and shaped so
that the
four wall panel supporting members are collapsed in a random order.
Clause 13: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the first locking member comprises a male
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connector and the second locking member comprises a female connector sized and
shaped to receive the male connector therein.
Clause 14: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to
clause 13, wherein the male connector physically couples the female connector
5 socket by a vertical displacement of the at least one slotted hinge.
Clause 15: The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to any
one of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the male connector comprises a hook and the
female connector comprises a hook-receiving socket.
