GB2191762A

GB2191762A - Stackable flat

Info

Publication number: GB2191762A
Application number: GB08714403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William James Shiplee; Henry Taylor
Original assignee: SEAWHEEL Ltd
Current assignee: SEAWHEEL Ltd
Priority date: 1986-06-20
Filing date: 1987-06-19
Publication date: 1987-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-19
Also published as: ATE67743T1; ES2026183T3; EP0250270B1; DE3773272D1; GB2191762B; EP0250270A2; EP0250270A3; GB8615111D0; GB8714403D0

Abstract

A flat comprising a load supporting platform (11) of generally rectangular configuration and having upstanding members (13) at two opposite sides of the platform, the upstanding members (13) having at their upper ends first connecting means (15) adapted to engage with corresponding connecting means (16) of another stacked flat, and the upstanding members (13) or the platform (11) having second connecting means (16) adapted to engage with corresponding connecting means (15) of another flat on which it is stacked, wherein at least one of the members (13) is rigidly, but releasably, engageable with the platform (11) by undergoing a movement relative to the platform (11) in a generally horizontal direction so that when not in use, the member or members (13) may be removed from engagement with the platform (11). The releasable engagement consists of a foot plate (27) at the lower end of the member with a connecting element (30) which is located between flanges (34, 35), a pin (39) then being slid to engage aligned openings (31, 36, 37) in the element and flanges. A guide member (33) is located alongside the outer edge of the platform and a slot therein engages a locating element (40). <IMAGE>

Description

GB 2 191762 A SPECIFICATION Thus when the flat is being transported on a

road, loaded or unloaded, the upstanding memberor Load supporting apparatus members can be removed because it/they is/are not required. Thus when loaded a greater load may be

Description of invention 70 carried on the roads, and when unloaded, a plurality

This invention relatesto a load supporting apparatus of flats may betransported on a lorry becausethe commonly referred to as a "flat" having a load overall weight is reduced.

supporting platform, and members which, in use, When it is required to transport a loaded flat by extend upwardlyto facilitate stacking. ship,the upstanding member or members can be Such flats are used to facilitate the transportation 75 secured to the platform of the flat atthe docks, or of loads on the roads and on ships. even on board ship, so that a plurality of flats can be For road transportation the platform is loaded onto stacked as in conventional systems.

the bed of a lorry ortrailer. For transportation on a Thus it is envisaged that a supply of upstanding ship,the platform is loaded onto the deck or intothe memberswouid be kept atthe docks, and engaged hold of a ship and is stackable byvirtue of the 80 with the platforms of the flats for ship transportation, upstanding members which are rigid and ableto which suppiywould be replenished when theflats supportthe weight of one or moreflats andtheir areto betransported from the docks on the roads, as loads, stacked thereon. the upstanding members would then be removed.

Conventionally, such upstanding members are]twill be appreciated thatthe advantage of this pivotally attached to the platform so thatwhen no 85 system isthat upstanding memberswould not need load is supported on the platform,the end members to be carried around the country on the roads.

may befolded generally parallel tothe platform and Preferably, an end member is secured ateach of thustake up less space. Thus the flats themselves two opposite sides of the platform, usuallythe may be economically transported from placeto shortersides.

place without taking up excess space, when theflats 90 The platform may have a first engagement means, are not loaded. and the or each upstanding member may have a The platforms which are conventionally second engagement means, the first and second rectangular, commonly have at each corner, what engagement means being engageable with each are known as "]SO" sockets or boxes which may be other as the or each member and the platform are engaged with corresponding "[SO" boxes or sockets 95 moved relatively towards each other.

atthetops of the upstanding membersto facilitate Thefirst engagement means of the platform may stacking of theflats on board ship or atthe docks. comprise a socket at or adjacent a corner of the The maximum weight and dimensions of flat and platform, each socket being adapted to receive a load which can be accommodated on the roads, is connecting element of the second engagement governed by road regulations, whilstthe maximum 100 means of the upstanding member.

weight and dimension of flat and load which can be The connecting element and the socket mayeach accommodated on ships is governed byshipping have means, which, when the upstanding member is considerations, flat design and approval regulations. engaged with the platform, receive a locking Further, regulations for systems in which flats (and member to provide the rigid engagement.

their loads) are lifted on and off ships (so called 105 The locking pin may be mounted at or adjacent a 1o-lo" system) are different from a system in which corner of the platform for sliding movement relative lorries are driven onto the ship and driven off leaving to the platform between a locked position in which behind the f lat, and often thetrailer also (so called the locking pin is engaged with the openings and an ro-ro" system). unlocked position when the upstanding member is Aflatfor lo-lo systems has hitherto been 110 released.

restrained bythe above mentioned approval The pin may slide in a direction generally parallel regulations from carrying as high a maximum load tothe side of the platform provided with the as is permitted forflatsfor ro-ro systems, because of upstanding member.

the inherently higherweightof the lo-loflat. The socket maycomprise a pairof spaced According to one aspect of the invention we 115 elements between which the connecting element provide a flat comprising a load supporting platform can be received.

of generally rectangular configuration and having Thespaced elements may be parallel and extend upstanding members oftwo opposite sides of the generally upright.

platform, the upstanding members having attheir The upstanding member may carry a guide upper endsfirst connecting means adapted to 120 memberwhich is engageable with a locating engage with corresponding connecting means of element of the platform to restrain movement of the anotherflat, and the upstanding members orthe upstanding member relative to the platform about platform having second connecting means adapted the axis of the locking pin.

to engagewith corresponding connecting means of The guide member and the locating element may another flat, wherein at least one of the members is 125 comprise an interengageable slot and pin or other rigidly, but releasably, engaged with the platform so member combination so that the pin or other thatwhen not in use, the member or members may member moves along the slot as the upstanding be removed from engagementwith the platform. member is engaged with the platform.

Preferably both of the upstanding members are The or each upstanding member may comprise a releasably engaged with the platform. 130 frame having at leasttwo columns which each carry 2 GB 2 191 762 A 2 second engagement means and the guide member, Along each longer side of the platform is a where provided, to engage with a first engagement generally C-shaped girder 22, the channel of the C means and locating element of the platform at each facing outwardly and being supported along its of two opposite corners along one side of the length byfurther support struts 23.

platform. 70 Thedecking 12 is laidacrossthe lattice of struts Two locking pins, one at each cornerof the 20,21,and isengagedwith upperflanges24oftheC platform may be provided and are slidableto an shaped side girders 22.

unlocked position to release each corner of the The upstanding members 13, 14 (only one member upstanding frame member 13 can be seen in Figure 2) comprise frames made up The or each upstanding member may be 75 of columns 26 at each side, with a corrugated metal engageable with the platform by undergoing a sheet 27 extending between the two columns 26, movement relative to the platform in a direction upper 28 and lower 29 cross bars being provided to generally parallel with the platform i.e. generally add rigidity.

horizontally. The [SO boxes 15 are provided atthetop of each of Thefirst connecting means carried bythe 80 the columns 13 which comprise hollow box-like upstanding members may comprise conventional sections.

ISO boxes and the second connecting means may be Attheir lower ends, the columns 13 are each partly carried bythe platform at corresponding positions cut away and have an internal foot plate 27 from beneath the upstanding members, and may which extends downwardly within the column 13 a comprise conventional ISO boxes which may be 85 connecting element 30 of a second engagement engaged with [SO boxes of anotherflat beneath. means, which element has an opening 31 for a The invention will now be described with the aid of purpose hereinafter described.

the accompanying drawings in which: Furtherthe columns 13 each have a guide member Figure 1 is a side view of a flat in accordance with 33 comprising a slot in an extension 33a of a sidewall the invention. 90 of each column.

Figure2 is an enlarged exploded fragmentary The platform 11 has at each corner, afirst perspectiveview of part of theflat of Figure 1, engagement means comprising a pair of generally showing the connection at one corner of an vertically upright extending flanges 34 and 35 which upstanding frame member and the platform of the also each have a receiving means comprising an flat. 95 opening 36,37, respectively. It can be seen from Figure 3 is a detailed end view of a connecting Figure 2, that by moving the frame member 13 element of the upstanding frame member shown in towards the platform 11 in a direction parallel to the Figure 2. platform 11 but perpendicularlyto the shorterside of Referring firstto Figure 1, a flat 10 comprises a the platform 11 along which the member 13 in use generally rectangular platform 11 which, in use, 100 lies, the connecting element 30 will be received supports a load upon upper decking 12 thereof. The between the two flanges 34,35, and thatwhen the platform 11 may be loaded onto the bed of a lorry or end member 13 is fully engaged, the openings 36,37, trailer and transported on the roads, or may be of the f langes 34 and 35 will be aligned with opening loaded onto a ship for ship transportation of the load. 31 in the connecting element 30.

When theflat 10 is carried on a ship, it is desirable 105 Mounted on the platform 11 for sliding movement to be able to stackthe flat 10 with a plurality of similar in a direction generally parallel to the shorter side of flats and accordingly at each of the two opposite, the platform 11 along which the end member 13 in shorter, sides of the platform 11, an upstanding use lies, is a locking member in the form of a pin 39.

frame member 13,14 is provided. The end members When the openings 36,37, 31, are aligned, the pin 39 13 and 14 both compriseframes and carry attheir 110 can be moved from an unlocked position to a locked upperencisfirst connecting means 15 which in the position in which the pin 39 is received in the aligned present example comprise ISO boxes which are openingsto provide a releasable connection adapted to engagewith corresponding connecting between the platform 11 and the upstanding means of a flat stacked above. member13.

The platform 11 carries at each corner, beneath the 115 The openings 36, 37 are surrounded by opposed end members 13,14, ISO boxes 16 which are adapted bosses 36a, 37a, which together with guide bosses to engage, using conventional means such as 31a (see Figure 3) surrounding the opening 31 limit twistlocks, with corresponding connecting means of lateral relative movement between the frame a fiat beneath, on which the flat 10 is stacked. member and platform. In addition guide blocks 41 Of course, wherethe flat 10 is used with a plurality 120 are provided on opposite sides of the connecting of other similarflats, the ISO boxes 16 of oneflat, element30 to facilitate alignment of the openings would be engaged with the ISO boxes 15 of a flat 36,37,31, as the connecting element slides between beneath, and/orthe ISO boxes 15 on each of the end flanges34,35.

members 13,14, would be engaged with ISO boxes Of course, although it cannot be seen, atthe 16 of theflat above. 125 opposite corners of the frame member 13 and Referring nowto Figures 2 and 3, part of the platform 11, a similar connecting element 30, and platform 11 is shown with the decking 12 removed. receiving flanges 34,35 are provided, with a locking The platform 11 comprises a plurality of pin 39 so that the m-ember 13 can be locked to the longitudinally extending girders 20 and cross struts platform at each lower corner.

21 welded together to provide a rigid lattice. 130 It can also be seen from Figure 2 that the platform 3 GB 2 191 762 A 3 11 carries along its longestside, a locating element orpin 40which, asthe member 13 is engagedwith 1. A flat comprising a load supporting platform of the platform 11 is received within the slot 33to generally rectangular configuration and having thereby prevent any movement of the end member upstanding members attwo opposite sides of the 13 aboutthe axes of the locking pins 39. If desired the 70 platform,the upstanding members having attheir locating element40could comprise a slotandthe upper ends first connecting means adaptedto guide member33 comprise a pin orother member engage with corresponding connecting means of engageable in the slot of the locating element40. anotherflat, and the upstanding members orthe The opposite longest side of the platform to that platform having second connecting means adapted seen, also carries a locking element 30 for 75 to engage with corresponding connecting means of engagementwith a guide member similarto guide anotherflat, wherein at least one of the members is member 33 on the opposite column 26 of theframe, rigidly, but releasably, engaged with the platform so member 13, but oppositely handed. thatwhen not in use, the member or members may Itwill be understood thatthe upstanding frame be removed from engagement with the platform.

Claims

member 14 is secured atthe opposite shortest side of 80
2. A flat

according to Claim 1 wherein both of the the platform 11 by a similar arrangement to frame 13, upstanding members are releasably engaged with but again the connecting means, and guide the platform.

members would be opposite handed at opposite
3. A flat according to Claim 2 wherein each sides of the platform. upstanding member comprises an end member of Thus when it is desired to transport a load on the 85 the platform engaged with the platform at each of road, the members 13 and 14 can be removed from two opposite sides of the platform.

engagementwith the platform 11 and stowed, by
4. A flat according to anyone of the preceding sliding pins 39 from the openings of thefirst claims wherein the platform has a first engagement connecting means of the platform 11 and the second means, and the or each upstanding member has a connecting means of members 13 and 14, so that 90 second engagement means, the first and second less weight is carried on the roads. engagement means being engageable with each Many modifications may be made without other as the or each member and the platform are departing from the scope of the invention. For moved relatively towards each other.

example, if desired, an alternative connecting means
5. Aflat according to Claim 4 wherein the first to the sliding locking pin 39 and openings 36 and 37 95 engagement means of the platform comprises a and 31 in the flanges 34,35 and connecting elements socket at or adjacent a corner of the platform, each 38 may be provided. socket being adapted to receive a connecting In an alternative type of connection, the guide element of the second engagement means of the member 33 and locating element 40 may not be upstanding member.

required, oran alternative meansto add rigidityto 100
6. Aflat according to Claim 5 wherein the the connection maybe provided. connecting element and the socket each have means The invention may be applied to a flat having other which, when the upstanding member is engaged configurations of platform to the lattice structure with the platform, receive a locking member.

described. Further,the end members 13 and 14 need
7. Aflat according to Claim 6 wherein the locking not comprise frames including a corrugated metal 105 pin is mounted at or adjacent a corner of the platform sheet 27 and columns 26 as described, but for sliding movement relative to the platform alternative configurations are possible. between a locked position in which the locking pin is Forexample,the upstanding members may engaged with the openings, and an unlocked comprise columns only, although a frame structure position when the upstanding member is released.

such as described is preferred, in orderto provide 110
8. A flat according to Claim 7 wherein the pin the necessary rigidity. slides in a direction generally parallel to the side of If desired, non-standard connecting means to the platform provided with the upstanding member.

facilitate stacking of theflat 10 may be provided as an
9. Aflat according to anyone of Claims 5to 8 alternative to the ISO boxes 15 and 16 described. wherein the socket comprises a pair of spaced It will be appreciated from the figures thatthe 115 elements between which the connecting element upper decking 12 of the platform is of cambered can be received.

configuration sothat anywaterfalling on the decking
10. Aflat according to Claim 9 wherein the 12 runs to the sides. Planar decking maybe provided spaced elements are parallel and extend generally if required. upright.

Thefeatures disclosed intheforegoing 120
11. Aflat according to anyone of Claims 6to 10 description, orthe accompanying drawings, wherein the upstanding member carries a guide expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a memberwhich is engageable with a locating meansfor performing the disclosed function, or a element of the platform to restrain movement of the method or process for attaining the disclosed result, upstanding member relative to the platform about or a class or group of substances or compositions, as 125 the axis of the locking pin.

appropriate, may, separately or in any combination
12. Aflat according to Claim 11 where the guide of such features, be utilised for realising the member and the locating element comprise an invention in diverse forms thereof. interengageable slot and pin or other member combination so thatthe pin or other member moves CLAIMS 130 along the slot as the upstanding member is engaged 4 GB 2 191 762 A 4 with the platform.
13. Aflat according to anyone of Claims 4to 12 wherein the or each upstanding member comprises a frame having at leasttwo columns which each carry second engagement means and the guide member, where provided, to engage with a first engagement means and locating element of the platform at each of two opposite corners along one side of the platform.
14. A flat according to Claim 13 when dependent on anyone of Claims 6to 12 wherein two locking pins, one at each corner of the platform are provided and are slidableto an unlocked position to release each corner of the upstanding frame member.
15. Aflat according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the or each upstanding member is engageable with the platform by undergoing a movement relative to the platform in a direction generally parallel with the platform i.e. generally horizontally.
16. Aflat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein andlor shown in the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (UK) Ltd,11187, D8991685. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A l AY, from which copies maybe obtained.