SUPPORT FOR A WORK OF ART

Abstract

The invention is directed to a support for a work of art comprising a base element for fixing the support to an interior wall of a shipping container and a clamping element for clamping the work of art and wherein the base element and the clamping element are fixed to each other by wire rope isolators.

Claims

1. Support for a work of art comprising a base element for fixing the support to an interior wall of a shipping container and a clamping element for clamping the work of art and wherein the base element and the clamping element are fixed to each other by wire rope isolators.

2. Support according to claim 1, wherein the base element and the clamping element can move in six degrees of freedom relative to each other.

3. Support according to claim 1, wherein the wire rope isolators comprise two mounting blocks, each mounting block provided with two parallel passages for a wire rope which wire rope spaces the blocks apart and wherein the wire rope is secured in the passages to the mounting blocks.

4. Support according to claim 1, wherein the base element has a cross-section in the shape of a L and comprises of a base wall part and an upright wall part and wherein the clamping element has a cross-section in the shape of a L and comprises of a base wall part and an upright wall part and wherein the base wall part of the base element and the base wall part of the clamping element are fixed to each other by one or more wire rope isolators and wherein the upright wall part of the base element and the upright wall part of the clamping element are fixed to each other by one or more wire rope isolators.

5. Support according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the base wall part of the base element and the base wall part of the clamping element is between 1.5 cm and 12 cm and wherein the distance between the upright wall part of the base element and the upright wall part of the clamping element is between 1.5 cm and 12 cm.

6. Support element according to claim 5, wherein the base wall part of the base element and the base wall part of the clamping element are fixed to each other by 1 to 5 square wire rope isolators and wherein the upright wall part of the base element and the upright wall part of the clamping element are fixed to each other by 1 to 5 square wire rope isolators.

7. Support element according to claim 4, wherein the clamping element is provided with a clamp which may be fixed to the upright wall part of the clamping element at varying distances from the base wall part of the clamping device.

8. Support element according to claim 4, wherein the base wall part of the base element has a rectangular shape, the base wall part of the clamping element has a rectangular shape, the upright wall part of the base element has a rectangular shape and the upright wall part of the clamping device has a rectangular shape.

9. Support element according to claim 8, wherein to the base wall part and the upright wall part of the clamping element a third wall part is fixed such to form a corner element to support a corner of a work of art.

10. Support element according to claim 9, wherein the third wall part may be releasable fixed to either possible end of the L-shaped clamping element.

11. Support element according to claim 1, wherein the clamping element is provided with a cushion material for supporting the work of art.

12. A shipping container for transporting works of art comprising: an enclosing section comprising a flat rectangular wall segment and four wall sections adjoining said flat wall segment, wherein the flat wall segment and the four wall sections define a space for the works of art to be transported, a cover section comprising a flat rectangular wall, retaining means to secure the cover section to the wall sections of the enclosing section and three or more support elements according to any one of claims 1-11 and wherein the base element of the support elements is fixed to the flat rectangular wall segment and wherein the clamping element of the support elements is spaced apart from the cover section when the cover section is secured to the wall sections.

13. Shipping container according to claim 12, wherein the support elements are fixed to the flat rectangular wall segment by a hook and loop type connection.

Description

[0027] The invention shall be illustrated by the following non-limiting figures.

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a corner support (1) provided with a base element (2) and a clamping element (3). The base element (2) and the clamping element (3) are fixed to each other by two rectangular wire rope isolators (4). The two wire rope isolators (4) allow the base element (2) and the clamping element (3) can move in six degrees of freedom relative to each other. The base element (2) has a cross-section in the shape of a L and consists of a rectangular base wall part (5) and an upright rectangular wall part (6). The clamping element (3) has a cross-section in the shape of a L and consist of a rectangular base wall part (7) and an upright rectangular wall part (8). As shown the base wall part (5) of the base element (2) and the base wall part (7) of the clamping element (3) are fixed to each other by one square wire rope isolator (4). The upright wall part (6) of the base element (2) and the upright wall part (8) of the clamping element (3) are fixed to each other by one square wire rope isolator. The clamping element (3) is provided with a clamp (9) as moveably fixed to the upright wall part (8) of the clamping element (3). Clamp (9) may be fixed to the upright wall part (8) of the clamping element (3) at varying positions resulting in varying distances (A) between the clamp (9) and the base wall part (7) of the clamping device. The clamp (9) may be fixed by locking mechanism (10). Between the clamp (9) and the base wall part (7) of the clamping device a corner of a work of art may thus be fixed. To the base wall part (7) and the upright wall part (8) of the clamping element (3) a third wall part (11) is fixed such to form a corner element to support a corner of a work of art. This third wall part (11) can be disconnected and reconnected at the other end of the clamping element by means of bolts for which openings (12) are shown. The clamp (9) and the sides of wall parts (7), (8) and (11) which face the work of art are provided with a foam layer (13).

[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a side support (14) not provided with a third wall part (11) as in FIGS. 1-2. The same reference numbers refer to the same parts of the support. As shown the base wall part (5) of the base element (2) and the base wall part (7) of the clamping element (3) are fixed to each other by two square wire rope isolators (15). The upright wall part (6) of the base element (2) and the upright wall so part (8) of the clamping element (3) are fixed to each other by four square wire rope isolators (15). A foam layer (16) as a shock absorbing cushion material is provided to the on the be present in this space is fixed to the base wall part (5) of the base element (2), to the base wall part (7) of the clamping element (3), to upright wall part (6) of the base element (2) and to the upright wall part (8) of the clamping element. The layers as fixed to the walls face each other and are spaced apart such that under normal use these layers do not touch. These layers are meant to only contact when the shipping container is exposed to an extreme shock thereby avoiding that the walls themselves make contact. As shown the layers (16) have open areas (17) for the square wire loop isolators (15) such that these are directly fixed to the walls.

[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the support according to FIGS. 3 and 4 and provided with a third wall part (11) making this support a corner support (17). This third wall part (11) can be disconnected and reconnected at the other end of the clamping element (3) by means of bolts for which openings (12) are shown.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a shipping container (20) for transporting works of art having an enclosing section (21) comprising of a flat rectangular wall segment (22) and four wall sections (23) adjoining said flat wall segment (22). The flat wall segment (22) and the four wall sections (23) define a space (24) for the works of art to be transported. Also a cover section (25) comprising a flat rectangular wall (26) and retaining means (27) are shown to secure the cover section (25) to the wall sections (23) of the enclosing section (21).

[0032] FIG. 8 shown a cross sectional view AA′ of the shipping container (20) of FIG. 7. As shown two corner support elements (17) according to FIG. 5-6 are shown which hold a work of art (26). The base element of the support elements may be fixed to the flat rectangular wall segment (22) by a hook and loop type connection (27) or by means of a bolted connection. As shown the clamping element (9) of the support elements (17) is spaced apart from the cover section (25).