This invention relates, in general, to a container assembly, and deals more particularly with a container assembly having a unique, utilitarian pattern formed on opposing sides of the container assembly, whereby the pattern provides increased stacking and attachment-point advantages.
Containers of various shapes, sizes and configurations have been employed to accommodate all manner of storage and transportation needs. Typically, in the case of containers primarily utilized to transport items, it is often necessary to protect these items from impact and/or environmental damage, as well as to make the container suitable for stacking and storage during transportation.
Towards this end, it has been known to define structural profiles on the surfaces of containers, in order to provide a pattern, or matrix, by which other like containers may be stacked with one another during transportation.
Moreover, the stacking patterns of known transportation containers typically utilize similar patterns on opposing sides of the container, oftentimes being mirror images of each other. In addition, known containers also typically employ patterns which are limited to being uni-directional in their stacking ability and frequently employ patterns that contain ‘hard’, or sharp edges.
With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a container assembly with a novel stacking profile defined on opposing sides of the container. In one preferred embodiment, the profile formed on one side of the container is not the same as the inter-connecting profile defined on the opposing side of the container. Moreover, the defined profiles of the present invention enable a bi-directional stacking capability, as well as having edges of the defined profiles that are more resistant to wear and damage. A novel latch mechanism for the container assembly of the present invention is also proposed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns formed on opposing sides of the container.
It is another object of the present invention that the stacking patterns of the container assembly enable the bi-directional stacking of one of the container assemblies with another of the container assemblies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly whereby the stacking patterns on opposing sides of the container are different from one another.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns that are more resistant to wear and damage.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns which also provide various attachment points for securing accessories to the container.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stacking pattern for a container assembly that includes integrated wheels, wherein the integrated wheels do not interfere with the bi-directional stacking ability of the container.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly that includes a novel latch mechanism and location.
An embodiment of the inventive container assembly for the storage and transport of goods includes a first portion having an interior with a substantially flat interior bottom surface. The assembly further includes a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The first portion has an outer surface that includes a first stacking pattern and the second portion has an outer surface that includes a second stacking pattern different from the first stacking portion and configured to engage the first stacking pattern enabling the container assembly to be bi-directionally stacked on another of the container assemblies.
An embodiment of the inventive locking mechanism for a container assembly includes a hinged leaf portion having a hooked end. The leaf portion is pivotally attached to a leaf bracket which is, in turn, secured to the container assembly. The locking mechanism further includes a base portion also secured to the container assembly. The base portion has a lever with an engagement end for engagement with the hooked end. The lever is pivotally secured to the base portion. The lever may be moved to bring the engagement end into engagement with the hooked end to secure the locking mechanism and, when the locking mechanism is secured, the lever and the leaf portion cover and protect the fasteners that secure the leaf portion and the base portion to the container to prevent unauthorized access to an interior of said container assembly.
These and other objectives of the present invention, and their preferred embodiments, shall become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings taken as a whole.
As shown, the raised wavy ridges 6 undulate in a sinusoidal fashion along their lateral axis, thereby forming a series of apexes and depressions along the length of the ridges 6. The wavy ridges 6 are oriented on the container 2 such that the apexes of adjacent wavy ridges 6 are opposed to one another, thus creating a repeating series of wide and narrow, i.e., convex and concave, sections in the valleys 14.
This wave-like configuration of ridges 6 is an important aspect of the present invention. In particular, the wave like shape of the ridges 6 avoids sharp bends which act as stress concentrators. Thus, the wave shape maximizes structural strength and integrity of the ridges 6. Preferably, the wave-like shape is formed from a series of tangent arcs. As will be appreciated, the shape of the ridges 6 may also be derived from sinusoidal and quadratic equations.
Further, it is also preferable that the top surface of the ridges 6 have an area equal to the area of the valleys 14 between the ridges 6. This configuration maximizes the strength of the structure by equalizing the cross-sectional “up” and “down” areas.
Turning now to
While the protrusions may be puck-shaped, the donut shape with its raised inner area or hole is preferable. This shape increases the flat surface area inside the container, i.e., on the container floor or bottom. The increased flat surface area creates a stable platform for goods placed within the container. The inner flat surface area also provides a convenient point to attach a fastener to, for example, secure cargo to the interior bottom floor of the container. This surface allows for the installation of fasteners without the fasteners touching the ground or interfering with corresponding stacking ridges 6.
It will therefore be readily appreciated that the profiles defined on opposing sides of the container assembly of the present invention enable the stacking of one container assembly atop another container assembly. Moreover, given the structural relationship between the protrusions 18 and the wavy valleys 14, the stacking profiles of the present invention permit the bi-directional stacking of one container assembly atop another. That is, the stacking profiles 4, 16 created on opposing sides of the container assembly are capable of stacking one such container assembly atop another, even when the two container assemblies (and, thus, their stacking patterns) are oriented at 90° from one another, i.e., bi-directional stacking. Further, the profiles allow cases to be stacked regardless of their footprint so that smaller cases can be stacked on larger cases and vice versa.
It is another aspect of the present invention that both of the stacking patterns defined on the container assembly are formed with rounded edges. By doing so, the present invention facilitates an easier integration between the donut-like protrusions 18 of one container assembly with the wide sections of the wavy valleys 14 of another container assembly. Moreover, the rounded edges of the stacking profiles make them less susceptible to damage caused by drop-impact, or the like.
It is yet another important aspect of the present invention that the side edges 12 of the wavy ridges 14 of the container assembly are formed to exhibit a 5° draft. In this manner, various accessories may be more easily and more securely attached to locations between adjacent wavy ridges (i.e., locations at least partially attached within the wavy valleys 14).
Turning now to
Referring back to
The inventive container 2 may also include casters 27. These are depicted in
Turning now to
More specifically, the locking mechanism 40 includes a fixed base 42, a guide 43 and a hinged leaf 44. As shown, the hinged leaf 44 is free to pivot about a pin 46 that is secured within a bracket 48. The bracket 48 is secured to the container 2 through the use of conventional fasteners (not shown). The hinged leaf 44 includes a free distal end terminating in a hooked portion 50 shaped to receive a portion of the fixed base 42 when the mechanism 40 is secured.
The configuration of hinged leaf 44 within the bracket 48 is an important aspect of the inventive locking mechanism. In particular, when the hooked portion 50 is engaged by the base 42, the hinged leaf 44 completely covers the fasteners used to secured the bracket 48 to the container 2. This prevents removal of the fasteners to bypass the lock and gain access to the interior of the container 2. Referring now to
The base 42 includes a lever 52, which pivots up and down about a base bracket 58 to raise or lower a u-shaped engagement surface 54. The u-shaped engagement surface 54 is configured to engage and pull down on the hooked portion 50 of the hinged leaf 44 to secure a top or lid of a container 2 to a base portion. The lever 52 terminates with a tab 56 that is used to raise or lower the lever 52. The path and movement of the engagement surface 54 are defined and limited by the guide 43.
Moreover, the base bracket 58 includes padlock eyes 60 which, as will be appreciated, receives a u-shaped shackle of a padlock 70 (
In use, and as shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/021,195, filed on Jan. 15, 2008, titled “CONTAINER ASSEMBLY,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61021195 | Jan 2008 | US |