Claims
- 1. A folding flatrack comprising:
- a platform base having a pair of sides and a pair of opposing ends;
- a pair of spaced corner posts pivotally mounted to said base at one of said ends; and
- a wall structure rigidly secured to said posts and extending transversely across said platform base, said posts and said wall structure forming a wall assembly pivotable between a first, upright position wherein said posts are upright on said base, and a second, collapsed position wherein said posts lie alongside said base;
- wherein said base has a usable width (E) and an overall width (W), which encompasses the outer extremities of said opposed corner posts, a lashing gap (L) defined between said overall width (W) and said usable width (E) and said lashing gap being disposed within the overall width extending along each side of said base;
- wherein each of said posts has a transverse dimension which is less than said lashing gap, said posts lie within said lashing gap on each side of said base in the second, collapsed position;
- each one of said post being of angle cross-section having a pair of limbs;
- one of said limbs being aligned with and partially overlapping said wall structure;
- said one limb being secured to said wall structure along the overlap and defining a wall buckling prevention means to prevent vertical and lateral buckling of said posts.
- 2. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein limb of said means to prevent buckling is spaced from the wall structure and secured thereto with an additional leg extending at an angle from said limb.
- 3. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each one of said post is of asymmetrical channel section and said means to prevent buckling comprises a short limb of said channel section secured at right-angles to the general plane of the wall structure.
- 4. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post comprises a sheet metal pressing.
- 5. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post comprises a rolled steel section.
- 6. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post has a tapering configuration.
- 7. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post tapers from the hinge end to the free end.
- 8. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post has an aperture at one or more positions along its length.
- 9. A flatrack according to claim 8 wherein said platform base is provided with lifting apertures corresponding with the apertures of said post.
- 10. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post has one or more non-linear edges.
- 11. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein said platform base is provided with lifting apertures.
- 12. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein the wall structure has generally right angled edge extensions which are secured to the limbs of said posts.
- 13. A flatrack according to claim 12 wherein the wall structure has edge extensions which are secured parallel to form a hollow tubular structure with each post.
- 14. A flatrack according to claim 12 wherein the wall structure has edge extensions which are secured side-by-side as a laminate with each post.
- 15. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein the folding wall is arranged to fold outboard of said base to form a loading ramp.
- 16. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein the wall structure comprises a metal sheet and includes stiffeners associated with said wall effective against loading applied transversely of the platform.
- 17. A flatrack according to claim 16 wherein said stiffeners comprise one or more transverse beams.
- 18. A flatrack according to claim 16 wherein said stiffeners are effective against vertical loading.
- 19. A flatrack according to claim 16 wherein said stiffeners are integrally formed in the metal sheet of the wall structure.
- 20. A flatrack according to claim 16 wherein said stiffeners are rigidly secured to the metal sheet of the wall structure.
- 21. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein the posts have a dimension transversely of the platform of less than 100 mm.
- 22. A flatrack according to claim 21 wherein the posts have a dimension transversely of the platform of between 15 and 40 mm.
- 23. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein each said post has a rectangular cross-section.
- 24. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein said lashing gap remain of substantially constant width throughout the length of said platform base.
- 25. A flatrack according to claim 1 wherein said flatrack has a length in excess of 6058 mm. (20 ft.).
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
9400395 |
Jan 1994 |
GBX |
|
9405882 |
Mar 1994 |
GBX |
|
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of now abandoned application, Ser. No. 08/370,450, filed Jan. 9, 1995 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
370450 |
Jan 1995 |
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