Container for Cargo

Abstract

A container to contain cargo. The container has a first side, a second side, and a wheel side. Wheels are connected to the wheel side. The container is selectively positionable between an upright orientation and a side orientation. The upright orientation positions the first side downward to contact a support surface and with the wheels spaced away from support surface. The side orientation comprises the first wheel side positioned downward towards the support surface and with the first side and the second side spaced away from the support surface.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a top side and a bottom side; lateral sides that extend between the top side and the bottom side with at least one of the lateral sides comprising a wheel side and another one of the lateral sides comprising a door side; an interior space formed within the top side, the bottom side, and the lateral sides; a door at the door side and positionable between an open position and a closed position; wheels positioned at the wheel side; wherein the container is selectively positionable between an upright orientation and a side orientation; wherein the upright orientation comprises the bottom side positioned downward on a support surface, the door side in an upright orientation, and the wheel side positioned away from the support surface; wherein the side orientation comprises the wheel side positioned downward on the support surface and door side positioned away from the support surface; and wherein the door is configured to be in the open position in the upright orientation for loading the cargo and in the closed position in the side orientation to prevent escape of the cargo through the door side.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the door side and the wheel side share a common edge.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the wheel side and one of the lateral sides share an edge and are aligned at an obtuse angle.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more skid plates connected to the wheel side with the one or more skid plates having a lower coefficient of friction than the wheel side.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more skid plates connected to one or more of the lateral sides with the one or more skid plates having a lower coefficient of friction than the lateral sides.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the wheels are movable between an extended position that extends outward from the wheel side and a retracted position that is retracted inward from the wheel side.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the wheels are aligned in a first row that extends along a first edge of the wheel side and a second row that extends along a second edge of the wheel side with the first row and the second row being spaced apart.

8. The container of claim 7, further comprising one or more rows of rollers positioned at the wheel side between the first row and the second row of the wheels, wherein the one or more rows of rollers are movable between extended and retracted positions.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the one or more rows of rollers extend outward from the wheel side a shorter distance than the wheels in the extended positions.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the one or more rows of rollers are aligned perpendicular to the first row and the second row of the wheels.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the lateral sides are open.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the top side, the bottom side, and the lateral sides comprises panels.

13. The container of claim 12, further comprising frame members that form a frame of the container and wherein the panels are connected to the frame members.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the door is configured to be removed from the door side of the container.

15. A container comprising: a top side and a bottom side; lateral sides that extend between the top side and the bottom side with at least one of the lateral sides comprising a movement side and another one of the lateral sides comprising a door side; one or more of the top side, the bottom side, and the lateral sides comprising panels; an interior space formed within the top side, the bottom side, and the lateral sides; a door at the door side and positionable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the container is selectively positionable between an upright orientation and a side orientation; wherein the upright orientation comprises the bottom side positioned downward on a support surface, the door side in an upright orientation, and the movement side positioned away from a support surface; wherein the side orientation comprises the movement side positioned downward on the support surface and door side positioned away from the support surface; and wherein the door is configured to be in the open position in the upright orientation for loading the cargo and in the closed position in the side orientation to prevent escape of the cargo through the door side.

16. The container of claim 15, further comprising frame members that are connected together and form a frame of the container and with the one or more panels connected to the frame members.

17. The container of claim 15, further comprising one or more skid plates mounted on one or more sides of the of the container, the one or more skid plates constructed from materials with a lower coefficient of friction than the sides.

18. The container of claim 15, further comprising wheels positioned at the movement side, the wheels configured to move between an extended position outward beyond the movement side and a retracted position inward from the movement side.

19. A container to contain cargo, the container comprising: a plurality of sides comprising a door side, a wheel side, and an adjacent side that shares an edge with the door side with the edge being open; a door comprising a shape and size that corresponds to the door side, the door selectively movable between a closed position and an open position that is away from the door side; an open interior space formed within the sides and sized to receive the cargo; wheels positioned at the wheel side; one or more retraction mechanisms connected to the wheels to selectively move the wheels between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the retracted position locates the wheels inward from the wheel side and the extended position locates the wheels outward from the wheel side; and wherein the door is positioned along the edge between the door side and the adjacent side when the door is in the closed position.

20. The container of claim 19, further comprising one or more panels that extend along one or more of the plurality of sides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vehicle configured to transport cargo.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of a cargo hold of a vehicle.

[0029] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a container in an upright orientation and with a door in a closed position.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container of FIG. 3 with the door in an open position.

[0031] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a container in a side orientation.

[0032] FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of the container of FIG. 5A positioned in the cargo hold.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a container in an upright orientation and with wheels positioned on a wheel side.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a side schematic diagram of wheels connected to a retraction mechanism in a retracted position.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a side schematic diagram of the wheels and retraction mechanism of FIG. 7 in an extended position.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram of a method of storing a mobility device within a vehicle.

[0037] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a container with sides formed by panels.

[0038] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a container with a door mounted along tracks.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a wheel side of a container that includes wheels and a skid plate.

[0040] FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a side of the container that includes a skid plate.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a side schematic diagram of a wheel truck that is engaged with supports to the container.

[0042] FIG. 14A is an isometric partial view of a wheel side of a container that includes rollers that extend in rows between wheels with the rollers in an extended position.

[0043] FIG. 14B is an isometric view of the wheel side of the container of FIG. 13B with the rollers in a retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 that is used to transport cargo. In this example, the vehicle 100 is an aircraft although other examples include different vehicles such as but not limited to trucks, ships, and trains. The vehicle 100 includes a fuselage 101 that is configured to hold cargo and/or passengers. In one example, the fuselage 101 is divided into a cabin area 102 configured to accommodate passengers and a cargo hold 103 configured to hold cargo. One or more doors 106 provide access to the cabin area 102 and one or more separate doors 107 provide access to the cargo hold 103.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates the cargo hold 103 configured to store cargo. The cargo hold 103 is enclosed within the fuselage 101. The cargo hold 103 includes outer walls 108 that include one or more of a floor, ceiling, and side walls. The walls 108 can be formed by the interior of the walls of the fuselage 101 or can be separate components that are positioned within the interior of the fuselage 101. The cargo hold 103 can include various shapes and sizes to hold a wide variety of cargo. One or more doors 107 provide access to the cargo hold 103 and are movable between a closed position during flight and an open position (shown in dashed lines) for loading and unloading the cargo.

[0046] Cargo, including the specialized cargo such as mobility devices 110 including wheelchairs are stored in the cargo hold 103 during travel. This may occur for one or more reasons including that they do not fit through the door 106 and/or aisles of the cabin area 102, and regulations may require passengers to sit in vehicle seats that are designed to withstand large forces that could be experienced during the travel. The mobility devices 110 should be stored in the cargo hold 103 to prevent damage to the mobility device 110, the other cargo, and the vehicle 100. Other types of specialized cargo are generally stored in the cargo hold 103 due to various regulations and/or airline policies and practices. In the examples below, the container 20 will be described as being configured to contain a mobility device 110. However, it is understood that a mobility device 110 is just one type of specialized cargo that can be transported in the container 20. The container 20 is configured to contain a wide variety of specialized cargo. The container 20 is also configured to contain various other types of cargo, such as but not limited to passenger luggage, boxes, and various other items that are normally transported through the air.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a container 20 configured to contain a mobility device 110 during transport. The container 20 is designed to protect the mobility device 110 while stored in the cargo hold 103. The container 20 is further designed to be movable by a person that is loading and unloading the vehicle 100. For example, the container 20 may be moved through the door 107 and/or moved within the interior of the cargo hold 103. Because of this, the container 20 is designed to fit through the door 107 of the cargo hold 103 and may be shaped to conform to the relatively cramped space of the cargo hold 103.

[0048] The container 20 includes a first side 21, a second side 22, a wheel side 23, and one or more additional sides 27. In some examples, the first side 21 faces downward and contacts a support surface 120 when the container 20 is in an upright orientation. The second side 22 is on an opposing side of the container 20 from the first side 21. The second side 22 faces away from the support surface 120 when the container 20 is in the upright orientation. The wheel side 23 and additional sides 27 extend between the first side 21 and the second side 22. In one example when the container 20 is in an upright orientation as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first side 21 forms a bottom of the container 20, the second side 22 forms a top of the container 20, and the wheel side 23 and additional sides 27 form the lateral sides of the container 20.

[0049] An interior space 24 is formed within the sides 21, 22, 23, 27. The interior space 24 is shaped and sized to hold the mobility device 110. A door 25 is formed by one of the additional sides 27. The door 25 is movable between a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 3 to contain the mobility device 110 within the interior space 24, and an open position as illustrated in FIG. 4 for loading and unloading. In some examples, the door 25 is configured to be removed from the container 20. In use, the door 25 is removed to allow for loading the mobility device 110 into the interior space 24. Once loaded, the door 25 is attached to one or more of the sides 21, 22, 23, 27 to secure the position and enclose the interior space 24. In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door 25 is connected with a hinge that is positioned along one side and configured to move between open and closed positions. In another example as illustrated in FIG. 11, the door 25 is a panel 29 that fits into tracks 28 formed along opposing edges. The door 25 has substantially thin edges sized to fit into the tracks 28. The door 25 is able to slide along the tracks 28 between the open and closed positions. In some examples, the ends of the tracks 28 at the second side 22 are open to enable the door 25 to be removed from the tracks 28 and from the remainder of the container 20. In another example, the door 25 includes one or more latches that engage with receptacles on one of the adjacent sides. The latches can be engaged to secure the door 25 in the closed position and disengaged to remove the door 25 in the open position.

[0050] The container 20 is configured to be oriented in an upright orientation as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and on its side as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the side orientation, the wheel side 23 faces downward towards the support surface 120 such as the floor 109. This orientation provides for loading the container 20 through the door 107 and/or storing the container 20 in the cargo hold 103.

[0051] In some examples, one or more of the sides 21, 22, 23, 27 include a wall. In one example, the wall is formed by a sheet of material. In another example, the wall is formed by one or more frame members 26 that support a sheet. In some examples, the wall is continuous such that there are no openings. The one or more walls can be configured to support the mobility device 110 in the upright orientation and the side orientation. In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, walls extend along the first side 21, second side 22, and wheel side 23. The number of walls in the container 20 can vary.

[0052] In some examples, one or more of the sides 21, 22, 23, 27 are formed by panels 29. The panels 29 have a relatively thin, flat construction. The panels 29 can be constructed from a variety of different materials including but not limited to various thermoplastics, honeycomb panels, and honeycomb core panels. In some examples, one or more of the panels 29 include openings to enable viewing into the interior space 24. The openings also provide anchor points for securing the cargo with ropes and straps.

[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a container 20 with multiple sides formed by panels 29. In some examples, one or more of the sides are formed from panels. In the example of FIG. 10, each of the sides are formed by panels. In some examples, the one or more of the panels 29 are connected to frame members 26. In other examples, the container 20 does not include separate frame members 26 and the panels 29 provide the structural integrity.

[0054] In some examples, one or more of the additional sides 27 are open (i.e., wall-less). The open sides provide for viewing the interior space 24. In some examples, the one or more open sides are not configured to support other cargo. This may be because there is not adequate structural members for the support and/or a person loading the vehicle 100 can view into the interior space 24 and realize that other cargo should not be stored on these open sides of the container 20. This prevents the mobility device 110 from being damaged. The open sides can also facilitate securing the mobility device 110 within the interior space 24. In some examples, a person can reach into the interior space 24 through the open sides and attach straps to the mobility device 110 to secure the position. In some examples, the open sides include one or support members that provide attachment points for the straps. One or more of the open sides can be covered to protect the mobility device 110 from the weather or debris. The cover includes fabric or is constructed to be flexible to conform to the shape of the container 20. The covers can be opaque or transparent.

[0055] In some examples, each of the sides 21, 22, 23, 27 are closed (i.e., are walled). The walled sides completely enclose the interior space 24 and protect the mobility device 110.

[0056] In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B, each of the sides 21, 22, 23, 27 are flat. This facilitates loading and storing the container 20 on a flat floor of the cargo hold 103. In other examples, one or more of these sides has a curved or uneven shape.

[0057] In some examples, the container 20 is shaped to conform to the shape of the cargo hold 103. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the shape conforms to the substantially rounded sectional shape of the cargo hold 103. Sides 23 and 27a are aligned at an obtuse angle and sides 27a and 27b are aligned at an obtuse angle . When the container 20 is positioned in the cargo hold 103 with the side 23 on the floor 109, the shape provides for sides 27a and 27b to substantially conform to the shape of the outer wall 108 and increase the efficiency of space usage of cargo within the cargo hold 103. In some examples, side 27d is perpendicular to both side 23 and side 27c. This provides for side 27d to be perpendicular to the floor 109 of the cargo hold 103. This can provide for abutting other cargo against the side 27d and increase space efficiency.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the container 20 includes wheels 30 to provide for movement during loading and unloading. The term wheels is used to broadly define a variety of different mechanical structures that provide for movement including but not limited to wheels, tracks, treads, omni wheels, and castor wheels. In some examples as illustrated in FIG. 6, the wheels 30 are positioned on one side 23. In other examples, the wheels 30 are positioned on the wheel side 23 and one or more of the additional sides 27.

[0059] In some examples, the wheels 30 are each flat and secured in a fixed orientation. This configuration provides for the container 20 to be moved in two directions (e.g., forward and backward). In other examples, the wheels 30 are pivotally attached to the container 20 to provide for movement in multiple different directions.

[0060] In some examples, the wheels 30 are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the wheels 30 are positioned to contact against the support surface 120 and provide for moving the container 20. In the retracted position, the wheels 30 are moved inward such that the wheel side 23 contacts against the support surface and prevents the container 20 from moving. In one example, the wheels 30 are deployed to position the container 20 within the cargo hold 103 and are retracted once positioned in the cargo hold 103. In some examples, the wheels 30 are retracted during portions of the loading, such as when being moved up an inclined conveyor ramp that extends from the ground and into the cargo hold 103. This retracted position provides for the container 20 to remain at a static position relative to the conveyor and prevents rolling down the conveyor.

[0061] FIG. 5A illustrates a container 20 with two rows of wheels 30 positioned along the wheel side 23. The rows of wheels 30 are spaced apart on opposing edges of the wheel side 23 to support the container 20 above the support surface 120. A first row of wheels 30 is positioned in proximity to the corner formed by the wheel side 23 and the first side 21. A second row of wheels 30 is positioned in proximity to the corner formed by the wheel side 23 and the second side 22.

[0062] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a retraction mechanism 40 that provides for moving the wheels 30 between extended and retracted positions. The wheels 30 are mounted on an elongated wheel truck 41. In one example, the wheel truck 41 is straight and aligns the wheels 30 in a straight line.

[0063] The retraction mechanism 40 further includes a handle 42 that is operatively connected to the wheel truck 41 through a handle link 43, an upper lock link 44, link 45, lower lock link 47, and a spring 46. In some examples, the spring 46 extends around an elongated member that extends between the link 45 and the handle 42. Connector links 48, 49 are connected to the wheel truck 41.

[0064] The retraction mechanism 40 is mounted to the container 20 at pivots 50. The pivots 50 include mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to rivets, bolts, and clips that provide for pivoting movement between the connected members. The pivots 50 connect the retraction mechanism 40 to the container 20 and are fixed in position relative to the container 20 during movement between the extended and retracted positions. In one example, pivots 50 include pivot member 50a on the connector link 48, pivot member 50b on the handle 42, pivot member 50c on the link 45, pivot member 50d on the upper lock link 44, and pivot member 50e on the connector link 49. In some examples, the pivots 50 are connected to one or more frame members 26 and solid sides of the container 20 (see FIG. 5A).

[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates the retraction mechanism 40 in the retracted position. The handle 42 is pivoted downward towards the wheel truck 41. In this retracted position, the wheels 30 are pulled upward above the wheel side 23 of the container 20 that contacts against the support surface 120. This causes the wheel side 23 of the container 20 to contact the support surface 120 and restricts movement of the container 20 relative to the support surface 120. In one example the spring 46 applies a force that holds the handle 42 in the retracted position.

[0066] FIG. 8 illustrates the retraction mechanism in the extended position. The handle 42 is pivoted away from the wheel truck 41. This pivoting movement forces the wheel truck 41 downward and positions the wheels 30 outward beyond the wheel side 23 of the container 20. This position provides for the wheels 30 to contact the support surface 120 to allow movement of the container 20 relative to the support surface 120. In one example, the spring 46 applies a force that holds the handle 42 in the extended position. In one example, the upper lock link 44 and the lower lock link 47 are held over center by the handle link 43 and spring force. The upper lock link 44 and lower lock link 47 create a fixed triangle that holds the wheels 30 in the extended position.

[0067] In some examples, the wheel trucks 41 are mounted to the supports 55 on the container 20. The supports 55 support the wheels trucks 41 and prevent splaying when the wheels 30 are in the extended position. In some examples as illustrated in FIG. 13, extensions 56 on the wheel trucks 41 fit into slots that extend along the supports 55. The extensions 56 slide along the length of the supports 55 as the wheels 30 move between the extended and retracted positions.

[0068] In another example, the wheels 30 are individually mounted to the wheel side 23. In some examples, the wheels 30 are mounted to provide for pivoting movement to facilitate movement of the container 20 in different directions along the support surface 120.

[0069] In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, rollers 80 are mounted to the wheel side 23 between the wheels 30. The rollers 80 are configured to contact against the support surface 120 at certain times when the wheels 30 are extended. For example, when the container 20 is being rolled over a transition from a ramp to a flat surface such as when the container is being pushed along a ramp and into the cargo hold 103 of the aircraft. At this transition, the front set of wheels 30 becomes elevated above the flat surface (e.g., above the floor of the cargo hold 103) while the back set of wheels 30 remain in contact with the ramp.

[0070] The rollers 80 are aligned in one or more rows 81 that extend between the wheels 30. In some examples, the rows 81 are substantially perpendicular to the wheels 30. Each row 81 of rollers 80 is mounted to a support member 82 that is positioned at a gap 83 in the wheel side 23. The number and spacing of the rollers 80 on the support members 82 can vary. In some examples, each roller 80 is rotatably mounted to an axle that is secured to a support member 82.

[0071] The ends of the support members 82 are mounted to the wheel trucks 41 that support the wheels 30. In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, clevis fasteners 84 connect the support members 82 to the wheel trucks 41. The connection to the wheel trucks 41 provides for the support members 82 and rollers 80 to move with the wheels 30 between the extended and retracted positions. FIG. 14A illustrates the extended position with the rollers 80 extending outward beyond the wheel side 23. FIG. 14B illustrates the retracted position with the rollers 80 positioned inward from the wheel side 23. In some examples, the rollers 80 extend outward from the container 20 a lesser distance than the wheels 30 in the extended position. This difference provides for the wheels 30 to support the container 20 during normal use with the rollers 80 positioned upward from the support surface 120. The rollers 80 just contact the support surface 120 and support the container 20 during the times when one of the sets of wheels 30 otherwise is positioned away from the support surface 120.

[0072] In some examples as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 12A, one or more skid plates 70 are mounted to one or more sides of the container 20. The skid plates 70 have a lower coefficient of friction than the side to which it is attached to facilitate sliding the container 20 along the support surface 120. FIG. 12 illustrates an example with a skid plate 70 mounted on the wheel side 23. The skid plate 70 is constructed from a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the side to which it is attached. The skid plates 70 can be constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to high molecular weight material such as but not limited to a high molecular weight polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnated plastic, and Acetal polymers. In some examples, the skid plates 70 are constructed from the lower friction material with other examples including the skid plates 70 coated with the lower friction material.

[0073] In some examples as illustrated in FIG. 12, a skid plate 70 is positioned on the wheel side 23 of the container 20. In other examples as illustrated in FIG. 12A, the skid plate 70 is positioned on a side of the container 20 without wheels 30. In some examples, the container 20 does not include wheels 30 but rather just one or more slide plates 70 to facilitate movement along the support surface 120.

[0074] When the skid plate 70 is in contact with the support surface 120 (such as when the wheels 30 are retracted), the skid plate 70 eases the force necessary to slide the container 20 across the support surface 120. In some examples, a skid plate 70 is positioned just along the first side 21. In other examples, skid plates 70 are mounted on two or more sides such as along the first side 21 to address sliding when the container 20 is in the upright orientation and along one of the lateral sides 27 for when the container 20 is in the side orientation.

[0075] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of storing a mobility device 110 within a vehicle 100. The method includes orienting a container 20 in an upright orientation with a first side 21 positioned towards a support surface 120 (block 200). The mobility device 110 is loaded into an interior space 24 of the container 20 with the mobility device 110 contacting against the first side 21 (block 202). In the upright orientation, the first side 21 contacts against the support surface 120. The container 20 is rotated to a side orientation that positions a wheel side 23 towards the support surface 120 and the first side 21 facing away from the support surface 120 (block 204). The container 20 is rolled across the support surface 120 with wheels 30 that extend from the wheel side 23 (block 206). Once the container 20 is located at a desired position, the wheels 30 are retracted while the container 20 is in the side orientation and the wheel side 23 is contacted against the support surface 120 (block 208).

[0076] In some examples, the container 20 is stored in a side orientation with a wheel side 23 contacting against the support surface 120 during transport. In other examples, the container 20 is stored in an upright orientation with the first side 21 contacting against the support surface 120 during transport.

[0077] One or more ramps 60 are positioned at the door 25 to facilitate loading and unloading cargo into and out of the interior space 24. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the ramp 60 extends along a section or entirety of one side of the container 20. The ramp 60 extends between the inner surface of the interior space 24 and the support surface 120. The ramp 60 extends inward from the edge of the opening to enable the door 25 to move to the closed position. FIG. 11 illustrates a ramp 60 positioned along the first side 21 to be used when the container 20 is in the upright orientation. Ramps 60 can be positioned along various sides of the container 20 to facilitate loading and unloading when the container 20 is in various orientations.

[0078] By the term substantially with reference to amounts or measurement values, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly. Rather, deviations or variations, including, for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect that the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0079] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.