BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric back corner view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 1B-1E illustrate various perspectives of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric back corner view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2B-2E illustrate various perspectives of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric back corner view of a base of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B illustrates an isometric front corner view of the base of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3C illustrates a transparent isometric back corner view of the base of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates posts of the present invention.
FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric back corner view of a base of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5B illustrates an isometric front corner view of the base of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a back frame of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric front corner view of a roof frame of the present invention.
FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a panel of the present invention.
FIG. 9A illustrates an isometric back corner view of a skeleton of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9B illustrates an isometric back corner view of a skeleton of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a portable container that can be readily and quickly assembled from individual components at a point of use, such as at a user's home or a warehouse. The individual components are delivered to the user in a kit. The kit is packed in a bag, a box, stretch wrap or other packaging. Alternatively, same components of multiple units are shipped in a single packaging.
The portable container is available in various sizes. Two exemplary sizes include dimensions 15′8″ L×90″ W×96″ H and 7′10″ L×90″ W×96″ H. FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate various views of an assembled 7′10″ long portable container 100. FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate various views of an assembled 15′8″ long portable container 200. Specifically, FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric back corner view of the assembled 7′10″ long portable container 100, and FIGS. 1B-1D illustrate a back perspective, a front perspective, a first side perspective, and a second side perspective of the assembled 7′10″ long portable container 100, respectively. FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric back corner view of the assembled 15′8″ long portable container 200, and FIGS. 1B-1D illustrate a back perspective, a front perspective, a first side perspective, and a second side perspective of the assembled 15′8″ long portable container 200, respectively.
Assembly of the 7′10″ long portable container 100 will be illustrated for purposes of discussion. Assembly of the 15′8″ long portable container 200 involves additional steps and components relative to the assembly of the 7′10″ long portable container 100. These additional steps and components will be brought to attention in detail below. It is understood that the following discussion related to the portable containers of FIGS. 1A-1E and FIGS. 2A-2E can be applied to portable containers of alternative dimensions.
Assembly of the portable container 100 can begin by placing a base 300 directly on a floor or on attachable legs or attachable wheels such that the base 300 is off the floor during assembly. FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric back corner view of the base 300. FIG. 3B illustrates an isometric front corner view of the base 300. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the base 300 is a platform having a raised inner top surface 305, an outer top surface 310, a first side surface 315, a second side surface 320, a front surface 325, and a back surface 330. The outer top surface 310 is a perimeter surrounding three sides of the raised inner top surface 305. In some embodiments, the outer top surface 310 surrounds a first side, a front, and a second side of the raised inner top surface 305. While the base 300 is used as a bottom foundation of the portable container 100, the raised inner top surface 305 is a usable floor space of the portable container 100. In some embodiments, the base 300 is hollow.
Preferably, the outer top surface 310 of the portable container 100 has a first L-shaped socket 335 located at a first front corner, a second L-shaped socket 340 located at a second front corner, a first side socket 345 located on the first side towards the back, and a second side socket 350 on the second side located towards the back. The first L-shaped socket 335 and the first side socket 345 are illustrated in FIG. 3A. The second L-shaped socket 340 and the second side socket 350 are illustrated in FIG. 3B.
Preferably, the first side surface 315 of the base 300 has a first set of fork apertures 370 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the second side surface 320 has a second set of fork apertures 375 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The first set and second set of fork apertures 370, 375 are adapted to receive forks. In some embodiments, the first set of fork apertures 370 and the second set of fork apertures 375 align horizontally and vertically. As such, the first side surface 315 is a mirror image of the second side surface 320.
In some embodiments, supporting beams 380, 385 are positioned inside the base 300 as re-enforcements. Each of the supporting beams 380, 385 is a hollowed support structure. In some embodiments, each of the supporting beams 380, 385 comprises two vertical parallel plates welded inside the base 300 that creates a channel from one side of the base 300 to another side of the base 300. FIG. 3C illustrates a transparent isometric back corner view of the base 300. As FIG. 3C illustrates, a first end of a first supporting beam 380 couples a first of the first set of fork apertures 370, and a second end of the first supporting beam 380 couples a first of the second set of fork apertures 375. A first end of a second supporting beam 385 couples a second of the first set of the fork apertures 370, and a second end of the second supporting beam 385 couples a second of the second set of fork apertures 375. The first and second supporting beams 380, 385 provide strength, durability, re-enforcement for the base 300, and create fork channels for use with fork lifts and other lifting and transporting devices. It should be understood that the configuration of the supporting beams 380, 385 is exemplary only and does not serve to limit the type, size, shape, or configuration of supporting beams.
In some embodiments, the supporting beams 380, 385 have a plurality of holes 383 on sides of the supporting beams 380, 385. The plurality of holes 383 are used to lift, strap or tie down the portable container using chains, ropes, straps, belts or other securing devices.
In some embodiments, the base 300 further has a third set of fork apertures 390 on the front surface 325 of the base 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3B, and a fourth set of fork apertures 395 on the back surface 330 of the base 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3A. The third set and fourth set of fork apertures 390, 395 are adapted to receive forks. Similar to the alignment of the first set and second set of fork apertures 370, 375, the third set of fork apertures 390 and the fourth set of fork apertures 395 align horizontally and vertically. In addition, referring to FIG. 3C, the first and second supporting beams 380, 385 have sets of apertures which align horizontally and vertically with the third set and the fourth set of fork apertures 390, 395, such that forks of a fork lift or another lifting or transporting device can be introduced into the base 300 through the third set and the fourth apertures 390, 395 and the apertures on the first and second supporting beams 380, 385.
In other embodiments, the base 300 has additional apertures. For example, a middle aperture 396 can be centered between apertures of the third set of fork apertures 390 on the front surface 325 of the base 300, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. A front pull bar 397 is vertically centered in the middle aperture 396 and is attached to the front surface 325 on a top and a bottom of the middle aperture 396. The front pull bar 397 can be used to pull the assembled portable container 100. Yet in other embodiments, the base 300 has additional pull bars to pull the assembled portable container 100. For example, a back pull bar 398 is attached between the fourth set of fork apertures 395 on the back surface 330 of the base 300. In some embodiments, the back pull bar 398 is an eyelet.
During assembly of the portable container 100, a plurality of posts included in the kit are adapted to insert into the above-mentioned sockets 335, 340, 345, 350. In some embodiments, opposing ends of each of the plurality of posts have extension portions protracting therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the plurality of posts include a plurality of L-shaped posts 405 and a plurality of side posts 420. The plurality of L-shaped posts 405 include a first L-shaped post and a second L-shaped post. The first L-shaped post is a mirror image of the second L-shaped post. The plurality of side posts 420 include a first side post and a second side post. The first side post is a mirror image of the second side post. A bottom extension portion 410 of the first L-shaped post is adapted to insert into the first L-shaped socket 335. Likewise, a bottom extension portion 410 of the second L-shaped post is adapted to insert into the second L-shaped socket 340. A bottom extension portion 425 of the first side post is adapted to insert into the first side socket 345. Likewise, a bottom extension portion 425 of the second side post is adapted to insert into the second side socket 350. In some embodiments, a side of each of the plurality of L-shaped posts 405 has a hole 430 located near the bottom extension portion 410. The hole 430 is for securing or lifting the assembled portable container 100 using ropes, chains, belts or other securing devices.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a base of the 15′8″ long portable container 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B. FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric back corner view of the base 500. FIG. 5B illustrates an isometric front corner view of the base 500. A base 500 is similarly configured as the base 300 described above except that the base 500 has two additional sockets. The two additional sockets are located on the outer top surface 310 of the portable container 200: a first middle socket 505 located at a center of the first side as illustrated in FIG. 5A, and a second middle socket 510 located at a center of the second side as illustrated in FIG. 5B. As such, two additional side posts 420, a third side post and a fourth side post, are included in the kit and are configured to insert into the two additional middle sockets 505, 510. In some embodiments, a bottom extension portion 425 of the third side post is adapted to insert into the first middle socket 505. Likewise, a bottom extension portion 425 of the fourth side post is adapted to insert into the second middle socket 510. In other embodiments, the first middle socket 505 and the second middle socket 510 are positioned between the first set of fork apertures 370 and the second set of fork apertures 375, respectively. In some embodiments, the third and fourth side posts are adapted to be universal, e.g. interchangeable. In other embodiments, interior sides of the third and fourth side posts accommodate various securement mechanisms for shelving and cargo control.
Preferably, a back frame 600, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is provided in the kit. Two fork apertures 605 and a third aperture 610 centered between the two fork apertures 605 are spatially positioned on a bottom 620 of the back frame 600. The bottom 620 of the back frame 600 attaches to the back surface 330 of the base 300, such that the two fork apertures 605 align with the fourth set of fork apertures 395 on the back surface 330 of the base 300. The back pull bar 398 on the back surface 330 of the base 300 is vertically centered in the third aperture 610, such that the back pull bar 398 can be used for pulling the assembled portable container. A first side 625 of the back frame 600 couples to an edge of the first side post vertically positioned in the first side socket 345. A second side 630 of the back frame 600 couples to an edge of the second side post vertically positioned in the second side socket 350. A top 635 of the back frame 600 attaches to a back of a roof frame 700. Accordingly, the back frame 600 is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation. The back frame 600 also provides side to side integrity of the back of the portable container 100, 200 and prevents wracking of the back of the portable container 100, 200.
In some embodiments, the back frame 600 has a panel 615 attached to a bottom of the top 635 of the back frame 600. The panel 615 is adapted to hide a rolled up rolling service door. The panel 615 also adapted to limit or prevent air from getting inside from a top of the assembled portable container 100, 200.
A roof frame 700, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is preferably included in the kit. A bottom of the roof frame 700 have sockets. In some embodiments, a bottom of a first side 705 of the roof frame 700, a bottom of a second side 710 of the roof frame 700, and a bottom of a front 715 of the roof frame 700 have corresponding sockets (not illustrated) for top extensions 415, 430 of the vertically positioned posts to fit into. The roof frame 700 is placed such that the top extensions 415, 430 of the vertically positioned posts are configured within the corresponding sockets of the roof frame 700. In some embodiments, a back 720 of the roof frame 700 couples to the top 635 of the back frame 600. The roof frame 700 secures and maintains the plurality of posts in a substantially perpendicular relation with the base 300.
FIG. 9A illustrates a skeleton 900 of the assembled portable container having a 7′10″ length base. FIG. 9B illustrates a skeleton 900′ of the assembled portable container having a 15′8″ length base. Referring to FIG. 9A, the base 300, the plurality of posts 405, 420, the back frame 600 and the roof frame 700 form the skeleton 900 of the portable container 100. Referring to FIG. 9B, the base 500, the plurality of posts 405, 420, the back frame 600 and a roof frame 700′ form the skeleton 900′ of the portable container 200. The roof frame 700′ is similarly configured as the roof frame 700 but has two additional sockets for the third side post and the fourth side post to fit into.
A plurality of panels included in the kit couple to the skeleton 900, 900′ to form a front side, a first side, and a second side of the portable container 100, 200. A panel is not coupled to a back side, thereby forming an opening to the assembled portable container 100, 200. Preferably, each of the plurality of panels is adapted to position between and rest against any two adjacent posts, rest against a portion of the raised inner top surface 305, and rest against an inner portion of the roof frame 700. Each of the plurality of panels is in a substantially vertical orientation upon assembly of the portable container 100, 200. In some embodiments, the plurality of panels are universal, e.g. interchangeable.
FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a panel 800. Specifically, FIG. 8A illustrates an exterior view of the panel 800, and FIG. 8B illustrates an interior view of the panel 800. An interior side of each of the plurality of panels 800 is configured to accommodate various securement mechanisms for shelving and cargo control by using top hat stiffeners 805, tie down rods 810, and strap bucket slots 815. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, three top hat stiffeners 805 are vertically and spatially positioned on each of the plurality of panels 800. Three tie down rods 810 are horizontally and spatially positioned through the three top hat stiffeners 805. The securement mechanisms are configured to maximize usable space inside the portable container without interfering with valuable floor space. Other securement mechanisms on the interior side of each of the plurality of panels 800 are possible. Likewise, securement mechanisms are possible on a portion of an interior of the portable container 100, 200.
In some embodiments, the plurality of panels are screw-on panels. In other embodiments, the plurality of panels are rivet-on panels. A plurality of fasteners are included in the kit. The plurality of fasteners include bolts, nuts, screws, rivets and other means of securing one element to another. In some embodiments, the plurality of fasteners are inside the portable container 100, 200 and can be under the portable container 100, 200 for security purposes.
The portable container kit also includes a door. The door covers the opening of the portable container 100, 200. The door is positioned adjacent the back frame 600. Preferably, the door is a rolling service door. Typically, the rolling service door rolls upward and is stored in a tight coil above the opening of the portable container. Alternatively, the door is a swinging door or a pair of swinging doors. FIG. 10 illustrates a back view 1000 of the portable container 100, 200 with the pair of swinging doors 1005.
After assembly, the portable container can be used as an onsite storage, a portable storage, or transportation. In some embodiments, the assembled container is configured for quick disassembly. The assembled portable container is also configured to be transportable via roll off trucks and trailers, flatbed trucks and trailers, and standard freight vans. In some embodiments, the assembled portable container is a subcontainer for long distance transportation, including cross country via rail containers or overseas via ISO high cube sea containers.
The assembled portable container works with roll offs, lift gates, shipping glides with bumpers, attachable wheels and attachable legs. The assembled portable container preferably has a means for enabling lifting the assembled portable container As discussed above, the assembled portable container has fork apertures on all sides of the base. As such, forklifts and other lift devices can be used to lift the assembled portable container via the fork apertures. Various other devices for lifting the assembled portable container include but are not limited to using slings and cranes.
Preferably, the portable container is fabricated from steel. As such, the portable container's all steel design provides a durable long-lived unit that is weatherproof, pest-proof, tamper-proof, and easily cleaned. Furthermore, a frame and post skeleton affords a three-high stackability.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that various modifications and revisions to the portable container for assembly at point of use will occur. Consequently, the claims should be broadly construed, consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention, and should not be limited to their exact, literal meaning.
Patent Application
20080083765
