AU2017101411A4 - Roll container - Google Patents

Abstract

A volumetrically efficient roll container for variable cargo spaces is herein proposed. The novel roll container features a first side wall (110), which has two vertical frame sections (111) and at least one horizontal support (114) extending between the two vertical frame sections (111). The roll container also has an extension (200), which is provided to the first side wall. The extension has a frame (210) with two vertical frame sections (211), which may be moved in respect to the two vertical frame sections of the first side wall. The extension also has a stopper (215), which may engage the at least one horizontal support (114) of the first side wall so as to maintain a vertical position of the extension in respect to the at least first side wall. 200 214 210 212 200 114- 110-f

Description

ROLL CONTAINER FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to logistics equipment. In particular, the invention relates to roll containers. More specifically, the invention relates to roll containers according to the preamble portion of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Roll containers are a popular means of transporting parcelled goods in logistics. The popularity is largely based on the ability to roll the container on and off a vehicle and within terminals, storages, commercial spaces, etc. by hand. It is also possible to transport several roll containers at once by means of a forklift. It is conventional that roll containers are dimensioned to fit the cargo space of delivery vehicles according to a local standard.

[0003] There remains, however, a longstanding need to further improve the volumetric efficiency of roll containers in logistics, wherein the cargo space varies. Such may be the case in international transports, for example.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is hereby proposed a novel roll container to make the most use of various cargo spaces. The novel roll container with a first side wall, which has two vertical frame profiles and at least one horizontal support extending between the two vertical frame profiles. The roll container also has an extension, which is provided to the first side wall. The extension has a frame with two vertical frame profiles, which may be moved in respect to the two vertical frame profiles of the first side wall. The extension also has a stopper, which may engage the at least one horizontal support of the first side wall so as to maintain a vertical position of the extension in respect to the at least first side wall.

[0005] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] Considerable benefits are gained with aid of the novel extension. By having a height adjustable extension, a single roll container may be converted to effectively fill several different cargo spaces with different heights. This will reduce the number of articles in the logistics fleet and on the other hand improve the effectiveness of delivery with increased compatibility.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the extension is attached to the side wall in a nesting manner, wherein extension is protected from impacts by the side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the following certain embodiments of the present proposal are described in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective explosion view of a roll container in accordance with at least some embodiments; FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of the roll container of FIGURE 1 in an assembled state with the extension in an upmost position; FIGURE 3 illustrates a perspective view of the roll container of FIGURE 2 with the extension in a first lowered position; FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of the roll container of FIGURE 2 with the extension in a bottom position; FIGURE 5 illustrates a side view of the roll container of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the roll container of FIGURE 5 taken along the line A-A, and

FIGURE 7 illustrates an enlarged detail view of area B of the roll container of FIGURE 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0009] FIGURE 1 shows a roll container 100 according to one embodiment in a disassembled state for improved clarity. As may be seen, the roll container 100 exhibits a generally conventional construction, which has been modified to enable the roll container 100 to be converted to fill cargo spaces of various volumes. Since the chassis 130, wheels etc. may be conventional, let us first examine the side walls. In the illustrated example, the roll container 100 features a first side wall 110 and a second side wall 120 opposing the first side wall 110. The construction of the first and second side walls 110, 120 is virtually similar with one another with the exception that connection of the side wall to the chassis 130 is reversed on the second side wall 120 in respect to the first side wall 110. Accordingly, only the first side wall 110 will be discussed in detail. What is noteworthy is that vertical frame profiles 111 of the side wall 110 have an open structure meaning that the inner cavity of the vertical frame profile 111 is visible from above. The opposing vertical frame profiles 111 are preferably connected by a horizontal frame profile 112 providing rigidity to the side wall 110. The side wall 110 also features horizontal supports, which in the illustrated example have taken the form of superposed horizontal wires 114. The horizontal wires 114 intersect with vertical wires 113 thus forming a mesh. It could be possible to arrange straps, beams or similar horizontal supports to run between the vertical frame profiles 111. The special purpose of the horizontal supports will become apparent here after.

[0010] Another noteworthy feature of the roll container 100 is the extensions 200 provided to the first and second side wall 110, 120. Naturally, the roll container could alternatively be provided with only one or more than two extensions, where applicable. The extension 200 is an add-on piece, which is intended to be attached to the side wall 110 at various heights so as to adjust the height of the roll container 100 to suit the height of the cargo space in question. In the illustrated examples, the extension 200 is designed to be inserted into the hollow vertical frame profiles 111 of the side wall 110. The insertion serves the purpose of protecting the extension 200 against impacts. However, a retrofitting version for roll containers with closed-end side frame sections could also be foreseen, wherein the extension would have a profile (not shown), such as a C-profile, configured to engage the side frame section of the side wall in at least partly enclosing fashion.

[0011] The extension 200 features a frame 210, which has two opposing vertical frame profiles 211, which are connected by a horizontal frame profile 212. The connection between the vertical frame profiles 211 and the horizontal frame profile 212 may include a bend for assisting manufacturing from a single piece. The vertical frame profile 211 terminates to an end 216. The frame 210 of the extension 200 includes and delimits a mesh formed by intersecting vertical wires 213 and horizontal wires 214. While serving the purpose of closing the extended portion of the roll container 100 the mesh may also be shaped to include a stopper 215. In the illustrated example, vertical wires 213 and the bottom most horizontal wire 214 are connected together so as to form two claws, which act as stoppers 215 for engagement with a horizontal support on the side wall 110, such a horizontal wire 114. Alternatively, the mesh or vertical frame profiles of the extension could be equipped with a separate or integrated stopper taking the form of a claw, protrusion, etc. (not shown).

[0012] FIGURE 1 also shows bushes 220 to be installed between the side wall 110 and the extension 200 so as to suppress sound induced by the vertical frame profiles 111, 211 of the first side wall 110 and the extension 210. To attach the extension 200 to the side wall 110, the bushes 220 are preferably first installed around the vertical frame profiles 211. To ensure that the bushes 220 will not escape, the ends 216 may be compressed to feature an oblate shape. The ends 216 of the vertical frame profiles 211 of the extension 200 are then inserted into the inner cavities of the vertical frame profiles 111 of the side wall 110. The bushes 220 between the respective vertical frame profiles 111, 211 provide for a quiet fit while enabling movement between the profiles 111, 211.

[0013] Turning now to FIGURES 2 and 5 to 7, which show the extension 200 installed to the roll container 100 at its topmost position. The stopper 215 rests against the topmost horizontal wire 114 of the side wall 100. Because the stopper 215 is shaped to include a horizontal extension, the stopper 215 may be eased under the horizontal frame profile 112 of the side wall 110. FIGURE 7 shows the manner in which the stopper 215 is preferably shaped to extend from the horizontal wire 214 of the extension 200 downward and then toward the outside of the roll container 100 so as to form an edge followed by a vertically extending ending portion. The extension 200 may similarly be lowered to a first lowered position shown in FIGURE 3, wherein the stopper 215 rests against the second horizontal wire 114 from the top, or to a second lowered position shown in FIGURE 4, wherein the stopper 215 rests against the third horizontal wire 114 from the top. Naturally, a skilled person may fore see constructing a taller extension, which could be able to include more height options by selectively engaging more horizontal wires (not shown). Accordingly, the side wall 110 preferably includes several superposed horizontal supports, such as wires 114, defining a respective plurality of pre-set height options for the extension 200.

[0014] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0015] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment’’ or “in an embodiment’’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0016] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0017] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In this description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0018] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0019] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A roll container (100) comprising a first side wall (110), which comprises: - two vertical frame profiles (111), and - at least one horizontal support (114) extending between the two vertical frame profiles (111), characterized by an extension (200) provided to the first side wall (110), which extension (200) comprises: - a frame (210) including two vertical frame profiles (211) configured to be connected movably to the two vertical frame profiles (111) of the first side wall (110), and - a stopper (215) configured to engage the at least one horizontal support (114) of the first side wall (110) so as to maintain a vertical position of the extension (200) in respect to the at least first side wall (110).
2. 2. The roll container (100) according to claim 1, wherein the two vertical frame profiles (111) of the first side wall (110) each comprise an inner cavity, wherein the two vertical frame profiles (211) of the frame (210) are configured to be inserted movably and at least partly into the respective inner cavities of the two vertical frame profiles (111) of the first side wall (110).
3. 3. The roll container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stopper (215) is configured to engage the at least one horizontal support (114) of the first side wall (110), when the two vertical frame profiles (211) of the frame (210) of the extension (200) have been inserted into the respective inner cavities of the vertical frame profiles (111) of the first side wall (110).
4. 4. The roll container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension (200) comprises a mesh, the wires (213) of which have been shaped to form the stopper (215).
5. 5. The roll container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the horizontal support (114) is a horizontal wire.