TEMPORARY BULKHEAD FOR SHIPPING CONTAINER

Abstract

A temporary bulkhead locking member comprising a unitary length of rigid material that is formed into a predetermined profile extending longitudinally along the length thereof. The profile provides first and second channels into which the leading edges of first and second bulkhead doors may removably engage with the locking member located between the door leading edges. The bulkhead doors are oriented to form an obtuse angle with each other with the angle apex pointing inward of the container when in the engaged position with the locking member.

Claims

1. A locking member for a temporary bulkhead for a shipping container, the temporary bulkhead including first and second doors each have an outer and inner side edge, said locking member comprising: a) a unitary length of rigid material having a plurality of contiguous planar wall segments with the first, second and third wall segments angled with respect to each other to form a first channel, and fourth, fifth and sixth wall segments angled with respect to each other to form a second channel, said first and second channels having opening facing in opposite directions and configured to removable receive said inner side edge of said first and second doors, respectively, with said locking member extending longitudinally between said inner side edges of said first and second doors.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0008] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing it attached to temporary bulkhead doors in the intended manner;

[0010] FIG. 1B is a top plan view of FIG. 1A showing the temporary bulkhead attached to the open end of a shipping container;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view thereof;

[0017] FIG. 8 is another top plan view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment thereof;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a top plan view thereof;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0022] FIG. 13 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0024] FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view thereof; and

[0025] FIG. 16 is another top plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring now to the drawing, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B an embodiment of the invention comprising a temporary bulkhead locking member 10 is provided comprising a unitary length of rigid material (e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.) that is formed into a predetermined profile (e.g., by bending or extruding) extending longitudinally along the length thereof. The profile provides first and second channels 12 and 14 into which the leading edges 16a, 18a of first and second bulkhead doors 16, 18 may removably engage with the locking member 10 located between the door leading edges 16a, 18a, respectively. The outer side edges 16b and 18b of bulkhead doors 16, 18 are removably inserted into channels Ca and Cb of container side walls Ca and Cb, respectively. The doors 16 and 18 are oriented to form an obtuse angle A (see FIG. 1B) with each other with the angle apex pointing to the inside I of the container C when in the engaged position with the locking member 10.

[0027] The temporary bulkhead doors 16, 18 are shorter than the full height of the shipping container C which leaves a space S between the top of the bulkhead doors and the top wall C1 of the shipping container (see FIG. 1A). As the bulk flowable product (not shown) is filled into the container through this space S, the bulk flowable product builds up and presses against the bulkhead doors 16, 18 in the direction of arrow A. The temporary bulkhead locking member 10 prevents the bulkhead doors 16, 18 from moving in a direction toward the outside 0 of the container. The angular relationship of the bulkhead doors 16, 18 provides further resistance and strength such that the temporary bulkhead doors will not yield to the pressure exerted there against by the bulk flowable product.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-8, locking member 10 includes a profile having contiguous planar wall segments 10a-h which are angled with respect to each other and include the following preferred dimensions (see FIGS. 2 and 4):

[0029] Wall 10awidth W.sub.1 about th inch

[0030] Wall 10bwidth W.sub.2 about 1th inches

[0031] Wall 10cwidth W.sub.3 about 1/16.sup.th inch

[0032] Wall 10dwidth W.sub.4 about inch

[0033] Wall 10ewidth W.sub.5 about 9/16.sup.th inch

[0034] Wall 10fwidth W.sub.6 about .sup.th inch

[0035] Wall 10gwidth W.sub.7 about 1 7/16.sup.th inch

[0036] Wall 10hwidth W.sub.8 about 15/16.sup.th inch

[0037] Angle A about 90

[0038] Angle B about 160

[0039] Angle C about 75

[0040] Angle D about 90

[0041] Angle E about 90

[0042] Angle F about 56

[0043] Angle G about 123

[0044] As seen in FIG. 8, the profile provides three points of engagement P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.3 on door 16 and fourth and fifth points of engagement P.sub.3 and P.sub.4 on door 18. P.sub.3 which has a lead line to the open bracket } may extend along part of or the entire width of one or both of wall segments 10d and 10e while P.sub.4 which has a lead line to the open bracket } may extend along part of or the entire width of one or both of wall segments 10d and 10e and P.sub.5 may extend along part of or the entire width of wall segment 10h. Points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 engage door 16. In this manner, locking member 10 secures doors 16 and 18 set at an angle and provide a very high amount of resistance to buckling by any force applied in the direction of arrow A by, for example, a load of flowable product deposited into container C.

[0045] In yet a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-16, the locking member 100 has a symmetrical profile with contiguous planar wall segments 100a-i which form first and second channels 120 and 140 which face in opposing directions to removably receive door side edges 16a and 18a, respectively.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-16, locking member 100 includes a profile having contiguous planar wall segments 100a-i which are angled with respect to each other and include the following preferred dimensions (see FIGS. 10 and 12):

[0047] Wall 100awidth W9 about 1 1/16th inch

[0048] Wall 100bwidth W10 about inches

[0049] Wall 100cwidth W11 about inch

[0050] Wall 100dwidth W.sub.12 about 1 inch

[0051] Wall 100ewidth W.sub.13 about 1 5/16.sup.th inch

[0052] Angle H about 90

[0053] Angle I about 90

[0054] Angle J about 70

[0055] Angle K about 70

[0056] Angle L about 90

[0057] Angle M about 90

[0058] Angle N about 110

[0059] Angle 0 about 110

[0060] Angle P about 140

[0061] As seen in FIG. 16, the profile provides three points of engagement P.sub.6, P.sub.7 and P.sub.8 on each door 16, 18. In this manner, locking member 100 secures doors 16 and 18 set at an angle and provide a very high amount of resistance to buckling by any force applied in the direction of arrow A by, for example, a load of flowable product deposited into container

[0062] While this method and apparatus has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described.