DEPLOYABLE RACK FOR LOADING AND TRANSPORTATION OF FLAT GLASS

Abstract

A deployable rack platform for loading and transportation of flat glass comprising a system allowing the rack platform to turn from a horizontal position, being totally flat, to a different position featuring diverse opening angles within a vehicle chassis. Particularly, a deployable rack for loading and transportation of flat glass wherein the rack platform achieves a horizontal position within a maximum period of 5 minutes, enabling the platform to take advantage up to 100% of the original surface of the platform initial position (e.g., before loading flat glass) wherein the process does not require the transportation of flat sheets or where the proceed needs to be loaded with different goods, merchandise, or raw materials. The rack platform comprises a highly versatile system for different types of transportation by optimizing space and savings, since the platform supports a load up to 20 tons.

Claims

1- A deployable rack for transporting flat glass and metal sheets or lumber comprising: a deployable rack able to operate two operational phases; a storage mode and an open mode, a basal frame, a turning point within a turning transfer cart, and fastening and support elements.

2- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the deployable rack comprises two panel sheets comprising each one a cut-off or a flat shape, wherein the panels are affixed to an internal structure of the deployable rack providing support; the cut-off sheet remains affixed to the turning transfer cart.

3- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the turning transfer cart is embedded to a basal frame comprising longitudinal and transversal rails above the chassis platform; the basal frame longitudinal rails are aligned with the longitudinal rails of the turning transfer cart securing the alignment and the landing of the rack panel by achieving a folding or unfolding position. The basal frame remains immovable over the vehicle platform and shall be manufactured from several materials such as carbon steel, allied steel, aluminum and stainless steel; and in many shapes such as tubular or plates, among other forms.

4- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the turning transfer cart is a structure comprising longitudinal and transversal rails; the turning transfer cart is embedded in a proximal or distal region area of the basal frame, wherein the turning point is located in the center of the basal frame.

5- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the second turning transfer cart comprises a turning point enabling the deployable rack to perform a 90 degree turn on its axis in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

6- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the deployable rack can be extended without exceeding the width of a legal platform.

7- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the second turning transfer cart comprises rack sheets for loading and transporting flat glass.

8- The deployable rack of claim 2, wherein the turning transfer cart is designed to be manufactured in hydraulic, mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic, and manual versions.

9- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the transversal and longitudinal elements are affixed by means of welds and rivets.

10- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the transversal and longitudinal elements are manufactured from several materials such as carbon steel, allied steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.

11- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the turning transfer cart shall perform a 90-degree turn while forming an inverted “V” shape.

12- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the Internal structures of the panels forming an inverted “V” shape are affixed through a union hinge located in above the panels.

13- The deployable rack of claim 2, wherein the turning platform comprises a turning point.

14- The deployable rack of claim 11, wherein the turning point is located in the center of the turning transfer cart, wherein a cylinder of the turning point operates by manual, electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic forces.

15- The deployable rack of claim 8, wherein the turning point comprises bearings, pins, gears, among other components.

16- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the basal frame comprises support elements for belts or chains designed to ensure the support and fixation of the platform in either of the two phases.

17- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the rack is located above the longitudinal rails.

18- The deployable rack of claim 10, wherein the turning transfer cart is aligned with the longitudinal rails.

19- The deployable rack of claim 10, wherein longitudinal rails are manufactured from diverse materials such as carbon steel, allied steel, aluminum, and stainless steel or different materials.

20- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the deployable rack achieves the change from “storage mode” to “open mode” within in a maximum period of 5 minutes.

21- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises an extendable fastening and securing means on each side of the chassis to fasten the glass sheets on the support walls of the deployable rack.

22- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the rack performing either phase has a load capacity up to 20 Tons.

23- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the rack performing the storage mode above the basal frame, allows the load of materials to be supported mainly by removable support components forming a “horseshoe-shaped” form.

24- The deployable rack of claim 1, wherein the rack performing the open mode above the basal frame, comprises extension components for achieving a uniform area.

25- A Method for unfolding a deployable rack for transporting flat glass, the method comprising: translating a turning transfer cart holding a deployable rack in an inverted “V” shape and being transversal with a basal frame, wherein the turning platform performs a 90 degree turn on its axis in a counterclockwise direction, allowing the attachment of the central rails of the turning platform with the central rails of the frame; and aligning the central rails of the turning transfer cart and the basal frame, translating the panels (two sheets) of the rack through the central rails of the basal frame until achieving a full flat shape and being parallel to the chassis floor, within a maximum period of 5 minutes.

26- The method of claim 23, wherein the turning phases are achieved by means of a manual or automatic mechanism.

25- A Method for folding a deployable rack for transporting flat glass, the method comprising: translating the panels (two sheets) of the rack through the central rails of the basal frame forming an inverted “V” shape, wherein the rack is located above the turning transfer cart, and performing a 90-degree turn on its axis in a clockwise direction in order to achieve a transverse position with the frame, wherein the rack panels close their angle until achieving a safe inclination of each sheet within a maximum period of 5 minutes.

28- The method of claim 25, wherein the phases (1 and 2) are achieved by a manual or automatic mechanism.

29- Use of the deployable rack of claim 1 for loading and transporting flat glass, metal sheets, plywood, lumber or any kind of goods or merchandise.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the deployable rack for loading and transporting flat sheets in an open mode (phase-2) within a loading platform, wherein each panel constitute the deployable rack comprising a cut-off or flat shape.

[0025] FIG. 1b illustrates a perspective view of the internal structure of the basal frame wherein the panels are attached.

[0026] FIG. 1c illustrates a rear view of the vehicle chassis wherein the rack sheets form an “A” shape on the basal frame.

[0027] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a perspective and rear view of the longitudinal rails of the basal frame.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure and design of the basal frame along with its comprising elements.

[0029] FIG. 4a illustrates a perspective view of the turning transfer cart along with its comprising elements.

[0030] FIG. 4b illustrates a perspective view of the fragmented region of the recessed arrangement of the turning transfer cart in a distal region of the basal frame.

[0031] FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of the deployable devices forming an inverted “horseshoe-shaped” form in order to fasten the material load.

[0032] FIG. 5b illustrates a rear view of the deployable devices in the lateral basal region of the deployable rack.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates the rotation sequence of the internal structure of the deployable rack wherein the cut-off or flat shape panels are attached.

[0034] FIG. 7a, illustrates the elevated load areas.

[0035] FIG. 7b, illustrates the uniform panel located above the basal frame or basal platform.

[0036] FIGS. 8a-h illustrate perspective views of the rotation sequence of the turning transfer cart on its own axis, in order to achieve alignment between the longitudinal center rails of the turning transfer cart and the longitudinal center rails of the basal frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present disclosure relates generally to a versatile deployable rack that can achieve two phases (storage mode-1 and open mode-2) within a period of 5 minutes, for transporting flat glass but without restricting additional materials, allowing a load capacity up to 20 tons, and more particularly, the disclosure refers to a system, manufacturing method and use of the deployable rack. Preferably, the disclosure relates to the system versatility allowing the operation of two phases (storage mode-1 and open mode-2) employing the panels as featured by the deployable rack. In an additional embodiment, the disclosure enables persons skilled in the art to reproduce the invention. In another preferred embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method comprising two phases (storage mode-1 and open mode-2) and their manufacturing steps and use, without limiting the real scope of the invention or additional embodiments.

[0038] For clarity purposes, the following definitions are provided for the understanding and comprehension of the disclosure:

[0039] The open mode-2 as described herein, refers to a folded position wherein the rack panels form an “A” shape or an inverted “V” shape forming an opening angle.

[0040] The store mode-1 as described herein, refers to an unfolded position being totally horizontally flat after unfolding the internal structure of the deployable rack containing the rack panels, until achieving a rest position of the panels.

[0041] The basal frame as described herein, refers to a metallic structure comprising longitudinal and transverse rails being extended over the chassis platform area of a transportation vehicle.

[0042] The “transportation vehicle” as described herein, refers to any transport vehicle comprising one, two or more axles.

[0043] The “Flat glass” as described herein, refers to glass sheets, mirror, or metal sheets being bigger than one meter.

[0044] The ‘Turning device’, or “Turning transfer cart” as described herein, refers to the metallic structure with smaller dimensions than the basal frame embedded in a distal region of the basal frame. The turning transfer cart allows a 90-degree turn on its axis to achieve a transverse position with the basal frame and vice versa.

[0045] The “turning point” refers to the device located in the center of the turning transfer cart and which operates by manual, electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic forces activating a set of bearings, pins, gears, among others in order to achieve the turning force.

[0046] Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more embodiments of which are illustrated in the drawings. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0047] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1a illustrates a deployable rack comprising two panels on the loading platform of a transportation vehicle, forming an inverted “V” shape, and being designed to load up to 20 tons. The panels are configurated as: [0048] a flat panel (11B) which is usually the panel that remains attached to the turning transfer cart (20), [0049] and a trimmed panel (11a), which is the panel that increases or decreases its angle. The trimmed panel has the advantage of being lighter during the opening and storage angles, as well as being adjusted to extension platforms having a flat floor, which are platforms supplementary to the deployable rack. These extension platforms may or may not be used, depending on the length of the chassis platform (10).

[0050] Furthermore, FIG. 1b illustrates the internal structure of panels forming an inverted “V” shape, wherein a union hinge (12) is arranged in the upper part of the panels mostly in the intersection point forming the “A” or “V” shape, and being a rigid and solid structure constituted by longitudinal (17) and transverse (20) rails that could be manufactured from several materials such as carbon steel, allied steel, aluminum and stainless steel; and in many forms such as tubular, channel, plate, among others forms. The panel sheets (11A and 11B) are attached to the internal structure of panels.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 1c, it is illustrated the rear view of the vehicle platform wherein the deployable rack (1,15) is embedded forming an “A” shape disclosing an adjustable opening angle for both panels (11A, 11B) of the deployable rack (1). The panels (11A, 11b) are embedded using a union hinge (12) allowing both panels to be opened and closed (15). Furthermore, the deployable rack is embedded on the turning transfer cart (21), which is embedded in the basal frame (16).

[0052] The deployable rack (1,15) allows the load of materials to be supported mainly by removable support components (4) forming an “horseshoe-shaped” form that are comprised within the basal frame and being located along the lateral basal side of the deployed rack. As referred in FIG. 5a, the removable support components are distributed along the basal frame as desired by the operator, and their main purpose is to support the loading of glass in any distribution within the deployable rack. These removable devices only contribute to the operation when the deployable rack is in open mode forming an “A” shape or in a second operational mode.

[0053] As referred in FIG. 7a, the chassis platform while performing an open mode (14) comprises extension components for achieving a uniform area (13). The extension components fill the empty spaces when the folding rack is extended in order to reach a fully open platform, the design of this element ensures that the total area of the platform can be filled to achieve uniformity and ensuring that the platform can be loaded by different goods.

[0054] As referred in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the basal frame refers to a structure comprising longitudinal (17) and transverse (20) rails on the chassis platform (14). The longitudinal frame rails (17) guarantee the alignment and docking of the rack panels (11A and 11B) in storage and open mode. The rails could be manufactured from several materials such as carbon steel, allied steel, aluminum and stainless steel; and in many forms such as tubular, channel, plate, among others forms. The rails remain immovable to the platform (14).

[0055] Furthermore, FIG. 4 refers to the turning platform (22) comprising a longitudinal (24a) and transverse rail structure which design is adapted to be embedded in either the proximal or distal region of the basal frame (18, 19). Additionally, the “tuning point” (25) is located in the center of the turning platform.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the system as referred in FIG. 5b may be designed to supply more than one deployable rack, since the design comprises an arrangement with capacity for various deployable racks. Therefore, the system may comprise two turning transfer carts, wherein the turning platform (22) is comprised within the proximal and distal regions (18, 19) of the basal frame.

[0057] As referred in FIG. 4a, the turning point refers to the primary element of the platform allowing the deployable rack to perform a 90 degree turn on its axis in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, without exceeding the size permitted by local law and without violating transport regulations. Furthermore, the turning point allows the loading any goods, merchandise or raw material as loaded in a common transportation platform. Additionally, the turning point provides the deployable rack with versatility and mobility. The “turning point” (25) is located in the center of the turning platform (22) wherein a cylinder operates by manual, electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic forces activating a set of bearings, pins, gears, among others in order to achieve the turning force. Moreover, the turning platform and the turning point can be designed to be manufactured in hydraulic, mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic, and manual versions.

[0058] The present disclosure relates to further elements such as security support elements (4, 20, 34) for belts or chains designed to ensure the support and fixation of the platform in either of the two phases, whether performing a storage mode or open mode. The design of the elements allows an easy use and function by operators. Furthermore, belts or chains can be used to achieve a safe and efficient fastening for this platform.

[0059] In a simplified embodiment, the invention comprises a deployable rack that in a first phase can transport flat glass and when deployed in a parallel mode with the original platform, the rack can approach the original technical features of an open loading platform (14) as illustrated in FIG. 8H; featuring a platform weight of 3,000 to 8,000 pounds, but the loading area across the original platform will be the same.

[0060] In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the flat platform or phase 1 (storage mode) as illustrated in FIG. 8h, aids in the transportation of any goods, merchandise or raw material as referred in the original phase of the open mode (phase 2) (14), wherein the basal frame is located in the top of the platform, which also comprises the turning platform embedded within the turning frame. The turning platform is attached to the internal structure of the deployable rack (1) along with the rack panels (11a, 11b) which are joined by the panel union hinge (12). At this time, the longitudinal rails of both the turning transfer cart and the basal frame (17, 24a, 24b) are perfectly aligned in order that the sliding rollers (32) may run through the rails formed by the longitudinal rails of the turning transfer cart platform and the central rails of the basal frame and wherein the union hinge allows the gradual opening of their angle.

[0061] Furthermore, the internal structure of the deployable rack (1) and the panels (11a, 11b) as referred in FIG. 5a, start their folding operation until lifting the rack and closing their angle until achieving a safe inclination of each sheet within a period not exceeding 5 minutes. Then, the turning transfer cart performs a 90° turning movement on its own axis until achieving a transverse position with the basal frame (16), and the loading of flat material such as glass, metal sheets or wooden sheets starts. At this point, the load of material and the rack angle are ensured by removable components in the “horseshoe-shaped” form (4) as referred in FIG. 5a, which are located on the edges and along the deployable rack. The configuration of the basal frame allows the removable components to be located as desired by the operator. As referred in FIG. 7b, the aforementioned embodiment refers to the second phase (open mode-2) which serves for the transport of flat glass, metal sheets or plywood or wood sheets. In the aforementioned embodiment, the deployable rack is in open mode forming an inverted “V” shape, as illustrated in FIG. 1b. The aforementioned system guarantees a load capacity up to 20 Tons. Furthermore, the holding and securing devices located in the supporting walls of the rack for fastening the glass sheets are elements of the basal frame which is affixed on the chassis platform.

[0062] Then, the platform returns to Phase 1 (storage mode), for the loading and transportation of several materials from the second folded position. Moreover, the unloading of material starts when the turning transfer cart performs a 90 degree turn on its own axis until achieving a parallel position with the basal frame. Furthermore, when the central rails of the turning transfer cart (17, 24a, 24b) and the central rails of the frame achieve an alignment, the two (panels) sheets of the deployable rack in a folded position increase their opening angle by translating of one of the panel sheets along the longitudinal rails of the basal frame until achieving a completely flat position, being parallel to axis “y”, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a-8h.

[0063] Subject to a preferred embodiment of the platform, the disclosure refers to several configurations of the platform such as;

[0064] Different options for lifting and unfolding the deployable rack,

[0065] construction materials,

[0066] different lengths and heights of the deployable rack,

[0067] diverse alternatives for the rack rotations, and

[0068] obtaining a flat surface that is as close as possible to the original conditions of the open mode platform as referred in FIG. 7H; sacrificing the minimum possible weight to be used for loading goods, merchandise or raw material and thus, maximizing the profit of the operator. The embodiment chosen according to the customer's preference in each performance of the platform shall directly affect the manufacturing cost of the rack and its materials.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0069] 1—Internal structure of the deployable rack [0070] 2—longitudinal reinforcement axes of the panel support structure [0071] 3—longitudinal transversal axes of the panel support structure [0072] 4—Removable support component [0073] 10—Chassis platform in open mode [0074] 11A—distal panel [0075] 11B—Proximal panel [0076] 12—union hinge [0077] 13—drive pinion [0078] 14—Chassis platform in open mode [0079] 15—Deployable rack [0080] 16—basal frame [0081] 17—longitudinal frame rails [0082] 18—proximal region of the basal frame [0083] 19—distal region of the basal frame featuring a space within the turning transfer cart [0084] 20—transverse support rails of the basal frame [0085] 21—longitudinal support rails of the basal frame [0086] 22—turning transfer cart [0087] 23—support structure of the turning transfer cart [0088] 24A—internal longitudinal rails of the turning transfer cart [0089] 24B—external longitudinal rails of the turning transfer cart [0090] 25—turning point [0091] 26—turning point axis [0092] 27—hinges [0093] 28—chassis of a transportation vehicle [0094] 29—fastening structure [0095] 30—upper part of the chassis [0096] 31—intersection points of the hinges [0097] 32—translation mechanism [0098] 33—support sheet of the distal panel [0099] 34—support elements [0100] 35—loading area

[0101] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.