Patent Application
20110233108
The present invention relates generally to portable storage containers. More particularly, it relates to a portable storage container with a pallet floor support assembly that can be accessed by a lifting device from either end or side. The container can be lifted from the side with a lifting device having relatively short tines, such as a pallet jack.
Storage containers that can be lifted by a forklift or similar lifting device are known. In addition, pallets that support and secure goods while they are being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, or other lifting device are known. Such containers and pallets, however, have a number of drawbacks. A traditional or standard pallet can only be lifted by a forklift engaging the pallet from either end—but not the side. Such a pallet has four stringers, or rails, which are used to add stability to the pallet and to guide the lifting-device tines into place only from one end or the other. It is often desirable, however, to lift a pallet with forklift from one of its sides rather than just from one of its ends.
In addition, traditional storage containers and larger pallets cannot be conveniently lifted using standard warehouse lifting devices, such as a standard pallet jack or forklift. These containers and larger pallets typically have dimensions that exceed the fork tine length limitations of standard lifting devices, which have relatively short tines. Such storage containers and pallets therefore require specialized equipment, or frequent use of fork extensions or readjustment of the distance between the fork tines.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved portable storage container and a pallet base that can be lifted with a lifting device, such as a forklift, from the front, back or either side of the container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a portable storage container and pallet base that can be lifted using standard warehouse lifting devices, such as a pallet jack.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a portable storage container and pallet base that can be lifted from the front, back or either side without having to adjust the distance between the tines of the lifting device.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pallet base that requires fewer rails or stringers than the traditional four stringers.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, there is provided a portable container with a floor support assembly that has two generally parallel side support rails extending from the front to the rear of the floor support assembly. An intermediate support rail is disposed between and generally parallel to the side support rails. Floor support members are secured to and extend transversely across the rails. A floor is secured to at least one of the floor support members. The support rails have a height sufficient to enable the tines of a lifting device to pass under the floor support members for lifting the container. One or more relatively short lower stabilizing members are secured to the bottom of one or more of the deck support members and define a generally planar downwardly facing landing pad surface. The landing pad surface has a width that is less than the distance between the tines of the lifting device and a length that is greater than the distance between the tines of the lifting device.
In this configuration, the container can be lifted from the front, back or either side of the container using standard warehouse lifting devices, such as a forklift or pallet jack. The stabilizing members provide a support surface or landing pad that can rest on the tines of a forklift that engages the container from the side. With these stabilizing members, the improved pallet requires only three lengthwise stringers, rather than the traditional four stringers. The dimensions and placement of the stabilizing members also allow for lifting of the container from the front, back or either side without having to adjust the distance between the tines of the lifting device.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in more detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described more fully with reference to these examples and drawings, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Rather, the description which follows is to be understood as a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of ordinary skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the invention.
It will be appreciated that terms such as “front”, “rear”, “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “inner,” “outer,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “below,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “downwardly” and “lower” and other positionally descriptive terms used in this specification are used merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the referenced components as shown in the Figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described in this document is within the scope of the present invention. The terms “generally” and “substantially” as used in this specification are defined as “being in general but not necessarily exactly or wholly that which is specified.” For example, “generally parallel” is used herein to indicate components that are in general, but not necessarily exactly or wholly, parallel. Also as used in this document, the term “assembly” can include a single member or an assembly of components.
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Also preferably, the stabilizing members 36 have tapered ends 37. In this configuration, if the tines of the lifting device are misaligned as they are inserted under the floor support assembly 20 from one of the container ends 22, 23 so that a tine strikes one of the stabilizing member ends 37, the tapered shape will tend to cause the stabilizer member 36 to glance off the tine rather than being caught on it.
In one preferred embodiment of the container 10, the rails 26, 28, the transverse floor support members 30, the support blocks 32, 33, 34, 35 and the lower stabilizing members 36 are made of wood and the feet 44, 46, 48, 49 are made of a composite material. Upon reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that other materials also will suffice. For example, some of the elements can be made of metal or a polymer material, depending on durability, rigidity, weight and cost requirements.
Upon reading this disclosure, it will be understood that the portable storage container of the present invention provides a number of advantages over previous designs. A container according to the invention can be lifted with a lifting device, such as a forklift, from the front, back or either side of the container. The container can be lifted using standard warehouse lifting devices, such as a pallet jack. The relatively short stabilizing members oriented lengthwise underneath the central area of the pallet platform provide a support surface or landing pad that can rest on the tines of a forklift used to lift the pallet from the side. With these stabilizing members, the improved pallet requires only three lengthwise stringers, rather than the traditional four stringers. The dimensions and placement of the stabilizing members also allow for lifting the container from the front, back or either side without having to adjust the distance between the tines of the lifting device.
Having read this disclosure, it will also be understood by those having skill in the art that modifications may be made to the invention. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.
