Volume Adjustable Container System

Abstract

The present disclosure provides several novel improvements to freight storage and transportation services. In one detailed though non-limiting aspect, methods and means for safely and efficiently adjusting the interior volume space of an otherwise fixed-volume storage and transportation container are provided.

Claims

1. A volume adjustable container system, said system comprising: a sliding track system disposed longitudinally along the inside walls of a container; wherein said sliding track system further comprises a plurality of variably and scalably adjustable restraint receiving members.

2. The volume adjustable container system of claim 1, said longitudinally disposed sliding track system is further disposed in mechanical communication with one or more vertically disposed restraint systems.

3. The volume adjustable container system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of variably and scalably adjustable restraint receiving members is further disposed in mechanical communication with one or more restraining elements.

4. The volume adjustable container system of claim 3, wherein said one or more restraining elements further comprises one or more of woven shipping straps, c-shaped clips and s-shaped clips.

5. The volume adjustable container system of claim 1, wherein said restraint receiving members are configured to slide either within or upon said longitudinally disposed sliding track system.

6. The volume adjustable container system of claim 2, wherein said restraint receiving members are configured to slide either within or upon said vertically disposed restraint system.

7. The volume adjustable container system of claim 1 further comprising one or more longitudinally disposed sliding tracks disposed in communication with each of the containers side walls, respectively.

8. The volume adjustable container system of claim 1, further comprising one or more longitudinally disposed sliding track systems disposed in communication with one or more of either a ceiling surface or floor surface of said container.

9. The volume adjustable container system of claim 2, wherein one or more tracks of said longitudinally disposed sliding track system and one or more tracks of said vertically disposed sliding track system are variably oriented through an angular sweep of between zero and ninety degrees.

10. The volume adjustable container system of claim 4, wherein said restraining elements further comprise one or more of freight straps, whether adjustable or fixed; restraining chains, whether adjustable or fixed; load bars, whether telescoping or fixed; and combinations thereof.

Description

DETAILED EXAMPLE OF SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, a sliding, volume-adjustable restraint receiving system is proposed, in which the desired location of a plurality of restraint receiving members can be variably and scalably adjusted, both before and after load introduction, so that overall load restraint is performed quickly, safely, efficiently and with respect to the potential delicacy of the freight elements.

[0014] By way of a specific though non-limiting embodiment, assume a content of concert electronics and musical equipment is to be packed, temporarily stored and transported from one performance venue to another using a large, multi-axle moving van. In this example, such equipment and electronics are sometimes referred to generically as the freight or the load, whereas the interior storage space of the large, multi-axle moving van is sometimes referred to as the container. Ordinarily skilled artisans will readily appreciate, however, that virtually any type of freight transported by a carrier means could be substituted for the example freight, and any type of carrier having a generally (though not necessarily uniformly) rectangular or other fixed interior storage space could be substituted for the example container means.

[0015] In the example embodiment, further assume that the owners of the freight wish to segregate the concert electronics and musical equipment, respectively, and that each portion of the freight should be stored and transported in a secure, well-balanced manner that respects the inherent delicacy of such items.

[0016] According to the present invention, then, an example storage and transportation operation is as follows.

[0017] First, the musical equipment is typically stored toward the front of the container, because load stability must be ensured, and in any event the freight owner or managers desire that the musical instruments be removed last, since it comprises the last equipment to be installed during the new venue setup process. The concert electronics are needed earlier in the setup process, as venue installation technicians will need to begin installation and wiring connections before the musical instruments are needed.

[0018] The interior surface of the container is equipped with a sliding track-like system that runs longitudinally along the side walls of the container, so that restraining elements such as durable woven shipping straps, their connecting means such as c-shaped clips or s-shaped clips, and their corresponding restraint receiving members can be easily slid along a plurality of such longitudinally disposed tracks. For example, two such tracks can be provided, so that a first track runs longitudinally along an upper portion of the container's side wall in an orientation essentially parallel to the container's bottom surface, and a second track runs longitudinally along a lower portion of the container's side wall in an orientation essentially parallel to both the container's bottom surface and the first, uppermost track.

[0019] Additional tracks, for example a middle track running longitudinally along a middle portion of the container's side wall in an orientation essentially parallel to both the container's bottom surface and the uppermost and lowermost tracks, could also be provided. Naturally, n-number of such tracks, each running longitudinally or in conjunction with vertically adjustable tracks; a plurality of only vertically adjustable tracks disposed in communication either with or without the longitudinal members; vertically or longitudinally disposed tracks disposed between previously existing tracks (for example, horizontally disposed tracks installed in the “valleys” or lower spaces between existing vertically mounted tracks, etc.); tracks which vary in angular orientation (e.g., at forty-five degree angles or other fixed or openly adjustable angular orientations) and/or longitudinal or vertical lengths or heights (so that entire lengths or heights of the containers or only portions thereof are so equipped) can be arranged in like manner.

[0020] Once the musical instruments are loaded in the desired manner, the variable, scalable restraint application and connection means are mechanically engaged, for example, using a plurality of c-shaped or s-shaped clips or other known or future compatible connectors established for the purposes of this invention, and the freight load is efficiently and reliably restrained in a well-balanced manner that respects the delicacy of the nature of the load. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the restraining means can comprise one or more appropriately suitable means such as freight straps, whether adjustable or fixed; restraining chains, whether adjustable or fixed; load bars, whether telescoping or fixed, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0021] Continuing the example, then, a space between the instruments and electronics is defined, the tracks and their restraint means are adjusted to provide a new forward movement restraint system; the equipment is loaded into the carrier in the desired configuration; and the tracks and restraint elements are again adjusted behind the rearmost portion of the load and tightened in a manner that ensures balance and delicacy as well as safe, efficient and repeatable restraint.

[0022] A great many other advantages and variations of the instant disclosure will readily occur to an ordinarily skilled artisan, even if significant departures from the non-limiting disclosure of structures and operations described herein are practiced.

[0023] Nowhere in the art of record, however, whether considered alone or in combination, are methods and means for safely and efficiently adjusting the interior volume spaces of an otherwise fixed-volume storage and transportation container known or used in a manner consistent with the instant disclosure.

[0024] The foregoing specification is provided for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to describe all possible aspects of the present invention. Moreover, while the invention has been shown and described in detail with respect to several exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will appreciate that minor changes to the description, and various other modifications, omissions and additions may also be made without departing from either the spirit or scope thereof.