FIELD OF INVENTION
The disclosure relates to work baskets.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Work baskets are used to transport loads for various purposes. Work baskets often are used in petroleum exploration, for example, to transport loads of supplies to offshore rigs. Loads transported in work baskets are diverse. Loads transported in work baskets can include, for example, loose cargo, cargo organized on pallets, bulk materials, and materials held in containers of various sizes. In the specific context of offshore petroleum exploration, for example, cargo loads such as drilling equipment components to be delivered to an offshore rig typically are loaded into work baskets at a port facility. The loaded work baskets are moved onto a supply boat and transported by sea from the port facility to the offshore rig, and hoisted from the supply boat to the deck of the offshore rig. Aboard the offshore rig, the cargo loads are removed from the work baskets using suitable lift or hoist equipment, or by hand. Typically, the empty work baskets to be returned to the port facility are loaded with unwanted materials such as scrap, debris, or garbage, before making a return trip to the port facility on a supply boat.
For reasons stated above and below, and for other reasons which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present specification, there is a need in the art for improved work baskets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The disclosure provides improved work baskets. Various shortcomings, disadvantages and problems of work baskets are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevated front perspective view of a work basket according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a work basket taken generally along 2-2 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of a work basket taken generally along 3-3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a work basket taken generally along 4-4 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a work basket taken generally along 5-5 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a work basket taken generally along 6-6 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial elevation view of an area 7 including a lifting ear and generally indicated in FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken generally along 8-8 in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that logical, mechanical and other changes can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
FIG. 1 is an elevated front perspective view of a work basket 100 according to an embodiment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that work basket 100 can be configured differently without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that work basket 100 is a specific embodiment of subject matter more broadly disclosed herein, and is described in this written description and illustrated in the drawings in order to satisfy statutory requirements, and is not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of any claim.
In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 is constructed in compliance with at least one accepted offshore service certification standard. More particularly, in an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 is constructed in compliance with at least one accepted offshore service certification standard, the at least one offshore service certification standard being selected from the following: DNV 2.7-1, API RP2A, and BSEN 12079. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 is constructed in compliance with the DNV 2.7-1 offshore service certification standard.
In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 is of a frameless construction. Work basket 100 lacks any essential frame members apart from a plurality of structural panels 104 formed of steel plate material 108 joined in fixed integral relationship by suitable weld seams 112. It will be understood that steel plate material 108 includes carbon steel, stainless steel and any other suitable metal alloy that can be suitably joined by weld seams 112. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, steel plate material 108 is carbon steel plate 116 meeting ASTM A-572 Gr. 50 having a nominal specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) rating of 50 ksi and a nominal thickness of 0.25 inches (¼″). In the specific embodiment illustrated, the entire work basket 100, including all steel plate material 108 and weld seams 112, is galvanized by a suitable method, such as by coating with liquid zinc. It will be understood that, in embodiments, work basket 100 is constructed without any essential frame members formed of structural tube. It will be understood that “structural tube” includes steel tube and any other tube formed of structural metal. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 is formed of a plurality of structural panels 104 including four (4) sidewall panels 120 and one (1) bottom wall panel 156 joined in fixed integral relationship by suitable weld seams 112 and constructed in compliance with at least one offshore service certification standard as described in this disclosure. In one specific embodiment, the at least one offshore service certification standard is DNV 2.7-1. More particularly, in an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, work basket 100 includes four (4) sidewall panels 120 formed of carbon steel plate 116 and one (1) bottom wall panel 156 formed of carbon steel plate 116 joined in fixed integral relationship by suitable weld seams 112 in compliance with the DNV 2.7-1 offshore service certification standard, and lacking any essential frame members formed of structural tube.
As shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment, work basket 100 is of rectangular shape and includes an open cargo well 132 having a rectangular floor plan (shown in FIG. 4). Returning to FIG. 1, the plurality of sidewall panels 120 includes an elongated front sidewall panel 140 spaced opposite a rear sidewall panel 144 of equal length and extending in parallel relation to front sidewall panel 140. The plurality of sidewall panels 120 includes a right end sidewall panel 148 spaced opposite a left end sidewall panel 152 of equal length and extending in parallel relation to right end sidewall panel 148. Work basket 100 has a bottom wall panel 156 defining a floor 160 of the open cargo well 156, for supporting a cargo load thereupon. Bottom wall panel 156 has a flat upper surface 164 and oppositely disposed lower surface 168. Work basket 100 has a rectangular open cargo well 132 defined by cooperation of adjoining sidewall panels 120 and rectangular bottom wall panel 156. Each of the right end sidewall panel 148 and the left end sidewall panel 152 extends intermediate the front sidewall panel 140 and the rear sidewall panel 144 at opposite ends of the generally rectangular cargo well 132. It will be understood that a full penetration weld seam 172 is located at each corner 180 between and adjoining each pair of abutting first and second edges 176, 178 of adjacent, intersecting sidewall panels 120. It will be understood that, in the specific embodiment illustrated, each full penetration weld seam 172 between abutting first and second edges 176, 178 of adjacent, intersecting sidewall panels 120 extends substantially the entire height of each sidewall panel 120 from a lower terminal edge 184 to an upper terminal edge 188 (see also FIG. 6). Each sidewall panel 120 includes a substantially continuous outer surface 189 and an oppositely disposed continuous inner surface 191 disposed in opposed, substantially parallel relationship thereto.
Referring to FIG. 4, work basket 100 includes substantially rectangular bottom wall panel 156 formed of steel plate material 108. Bottom wall panel 156 extends generally in a horizontal direction. Referring to FIG. 6, and as also generally shown in FIG. 8, each sidewall panel 120 at lower terminal edge 184 supports lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156 above the native, fixed supporting floor (not shown) of an external environment. Bottom wall panel 156 is supported by lower terminal edge 184 in substantially parallel relation to the native supporting floor of the external environment (not shown). Bottom wall panel 156 has a substantially continuous upper surface 164 defined by steel plate material 192, and a substantially continuous lower surface 168 defined by the common steel plate material 192. Lower surface 168 is disposed in opposed, spaced, parallel relationship to upper surface 164. Referring to FIG. 4, bottom wall panel 156 has a substantially rectangular periphery 196 defined by four intersecting bottom wall edge portions 198. Bottom wall periphery 196 has four 90° bottom wall corners 202 defined at respective intersections of adjacent bottom wall edge portions 198. Referring to FIG. 6, each bottom wall edge portion 198 has a respective bottom wall terminal edge 206 extending between upper surface 164 and lower surface 108 in perpendicular relationship thereto. As shown in FIG. 6, at right end sidewall panel 148 and the left end sidewall panel 152 each respective bottom wall terminal edge 206 abuts the respective right end sidewall panel 148 and left end sidewall panel 152 and is adjoined to a respective inner surface 191 thereof by a respective fillet weld seam 210. Fillet weld seam 210 is located at and extends the full length of the respective bottom wall terminal edge 206 at a respective intersection formed between upper surface 164 of bottom wall panel 156 and intersecting inner surface 191 of respective right end sidewall panel 148 and left end sidewall panel 152. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, along the front sidewall panel 140 and rear sidewall panel 144 each of the respective abutting bottom wall edge portions 198 of bottom wall panel 156 includes a minor lip 213 which bends upward at a 90° angle and is secured by a respective fillet weld seam 211 (not shown in FIG. 6) extending the full length of the upturned bottom wall terminal edge 206 and intersecting inner surface 191 of the respective front sidewall panel 140 and rear sidewall panel 144.
Referring to FIG. 1, each of the four adjoined sidewall panels 120 is formed of steel plate material 108. Referring to FIG. 6, each sidewall panel 120 has a lower terminal edge 184 located opposite an upper terminal edge 188 and extending in parallel relation thereto. Lower terminal edge 184 is disposed in spaced parallel relation to a respective bottom wall edge portion 198. Lower terminal edge 184 abuts lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156 and supports bottom wall panel 156 in spaced relationship to a native supporting floor (not shown) of an external environment. Lower terminal edge 184 is joined in fixed integral relationship with bottom wall panel 156 by a respective lower terminal edge weld seam 210. Lower terminal edge weld seam 210 extends along lower surface 108 in spaced parallel relation to a respective bottom wall edge portion 198. Lower terminal edge 184 supports bottom wall panel 156 above the native supporting floor (not shown). Referring to FIG. 3, each sidewall panel 120 has a first vertical edge 214 and a second vertical edge 218 opposite from the first vertical edge 214. Upper terminal edge 188 extends from first vertical edge 214 to second vertical edge 218 in parallel relation to lower terminal edge 184 and in perpendicular relation to first vertical edge 214 and second vertical edge 218.
Referring to FIG. 6, each sidewall panel 120 has a series of spaced bends 222 disposed in spaced parallel relation to upper terminal edge 188. Each bend 222 has a respective bend angle defined relative to a respective bend axis 230. The bend angle is determined in the direction of the first vertical edge 214 (shown in FIG. 3) relative to the respective extension or bend axis 230 (shown in FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, each bend 222 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bend angle and parallel to upper terminal edge 188. Referring to FIG. 3, each bend 222 extends and exists along substantially the full width of the respective sidewall panel 120 from the first vertical edge 214 to the second vertical edge 218. Referring to FIG. 6, each sidewall panel 120 extends downward from the lower terminal edge 184 at about a 45° angle to a first bend 234. Each sidewall panel 120 at the first bend 234 turns outward in a generally horizontal direction. Each sidewall panel 120 at the first bend 234 defines about a 45° angle relative to a base 238 and the abutting native supporting floor (not shown) upon which base 238 can rest. Each sidewall panel 120 extends outward from first bend 234 to a second bend 242. Each sidewall panel 120 from the first bend 234 to the second bend 242 defines base 238, which is configured to rest on a native supporting floor (not shown) in parallel supported relationship. Each sidewall panel 120 at the second bend 242 turns upward at a substantially 90° angle from the base 238 in the vertical direction. Each sidewall panel 120 extends upward from the second bend 242 to a third bend 246. Each sidewall panel 120 at the third bend 246 turns inward at a first corrugation angle 250. Each sidewall panel 120 extends from the third bend 246 to a fourth bend 254. Each sidewall panel 120 at the fourth bend 254 turns outward at a return angle 258. Each sidewall panel 120 extends from the forth bend 254 to a fifth bend 262. Each sidewall panel 120 at the fifth bend 262 turns upward in the vertical direction at a second corrugation angle 266. The return angle 258 compliments a sum of the first corrugation angle 250 and the second corrugation angle 266. From the third bend 246 to the fifth bend 262 each sidewall panel 120 defines a stiffening corrugation 270. Each sidewall panel 120 has an upper terminal edge 188 spaced above the fifth bend 262. Each sidewall panel 120 extends from the fifth bend 262 upward in the vertical direction to the upper terminal edge 188.
Each sidewall panel 120 has an inner surface 191 adjacent bottom wall panel 156. Each sidewall panel 120 has an outer surface 189 disposed in spaced opposing parallel relationship to the inner surface 191. Between the second bend 242 and third bend 246 each sidewall panel 120 at the inner surface 191 is joined in fixed integral relationship with a respective abutting bottom wall terminal edge 206 of bottom wall edge portion 198 by a respective fillet weld seam 210. Fillet weld seam 210 is located at and extends the full length of the respective bottom wall terminal edge 206 at a respective intersection formed between upper surface 164 of bottom wall panel 156 and intersecting inner surface 191 of sidewall panel 120.
Referring to FIG. 1, four corners 180 are defined between intersecting adjacent pairs of the plurality sidewall panels 120. Each corner 180 coincides generally with a respective corner of bottom wall 156. At each corner 180, the first vertical edge 214 of a respective sidewall panel 120 abuts the second vertical edge 218 of an intersecting, adjacent sidewall panel 120 in intimate parallel relation thereto. Each sidewall panel 120 is joined in fixed integral relationship with the adjacent sidewall panel 120 by a respective corner weld seam 178. Each corner weld seam 178 is a full penetration weld seam. Each corner weld seam 178 extends along the respective first or second vertical edge 214, 218 of the abutting pair of first and second edges 176, 178 from the lower terminal edge 184 (shown in FIG. 6) to the upper terminal edge 188 (shown in FIG. 6). Referring to FIG. 1, cooperation of the four sidewall panels 120 with the bottom wall 156 defines the open cargo well 132.
As shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment, work basket 100 includes a plurality of intermediate supports 300 spaced apart in parallel relationship beneath the lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156. Each intermediate support 300 extends between a pair of oppositely located sidewall panels 120. In the specific embodiment illustrated, each intermediate support 300 extends between a pair of oppositely located front and rear sidewall panels 140, 144. Each intermediate support 300 has spaced oppositely disposed ends 304. Each end 304 abuts outer surface 189 of a respective sidewall panel 120 between the respective lower terminal edge 184 and first bend 234. Each end 304 is joined in fixed integral relationship with the respective sidewall panel 120 at the outer surface 189 thereof by a respective minor end weld seam 308. Between ends 304, each intermediate support 300 is joined in fixed integral relationship with the lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156 by a respective minor support member weld seam 312. Each intermediate support 300 along a length thereof thus is joined in fixed integral relationship with the lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156 by a respective pair of parallel major weld seams 312. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each intermediate support 300 is a three dimensional member 316 formed of shaped plate steel material 108 and having a generally V-shaped cross-sectional shape.
As shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment, work basket 100 includes a pair of identical fork housings 350 spaced apart in parallel relationship beneath bottom wall panel 156. Each fork housing 350 extends between a pair of oppositely located sidewall panels 120. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each fork housing 300 extends between oppositely located front and rear sidewall panels 140, 144. Each fork housing 300 has spaced oppositely located fork housing ends 354. Each fork housing end 354 abuts a respective sidewall panel 120 between the respective lower terminal edge 184 and first bend 234. Each fork housing end 354 is aligned with a respective fork opening 358 (see FIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 5, each fork opening 358 extends generally in a transverse direction through a respective sidewall panel 120. Each fork opening 358 is aligned with a respective fork housing end 354. Each fork housing end 354 is joined in fixed integral relationship with respective of the front and rear sidewall panels 140, 144 by respective pairs of inner and outer end weld seams 362, 363 located at each sidewall panel 140, 144. Each fork housing 350 along a length thereof is joined in fixed integral relationship with the lower surface 168 of bottom wall panel 156 by a respective major weld seam 354. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each fork housing 350 is a three dimensional member 357 formed of shaped plate steel material 108 and having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
As shown in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment, work basket 100 includes an upper rim member 370 joined in fixed integral relationship with each respective sidewall panel 120 at the upper terminal edge 188 thereof. Each upper rim member 370 is a three dimensional member formed of shaped plate steel material 108. Each upper rim member 370 terminates at a rim member first edge 374 spaced below the upper terminal edge 188 in parallel relation to the same. The rim member first edge 374 extends in parallel relationship to upper terminal edge 188. Upper rim member 370 is joined in fixed integral relationship with the respective panel sidewall 120 adjacent the upper terminal edge 188 by an exterior rim weld seam 378. Exterior rim weld seam 378 is a fillet weld seam extending along the rim member first edge 374. Exterior rim weld seam 378 joins upper rim member 370 at the rim member first edge 374 with the outer surface 189 of the respective sidewall panel 120. More particularly, according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, upper rim member 370 extends upward from rim member first edge 374 to adjacent upper terminal edge 188. Above upper terminal edge 188, upper rim member 370 turns inward toward cargo well 132 at a rim member first bend 382. Upper rim member 320 extends in a generally horizontal direction from rim member first bend 382 to a rim member second bend 386. Upper rim member 320 at rim member second bend 386 turns down towards the bottom wall panel 156. Upper rim member 320 extends downward from rim member second bend 386 to a rim member third bend 390. Upper rim member 320 at rim member third bend 390 returns at an angle of about 45° toward inner surface 191 of the sidewall panel 120. Upper rim member 320 terminates at a rim member second edge 398 spaced from rim member third bend 390. Upper rim member 320 extends from the rim member third bend 390 to rim member second edge 398. Upper rim member 320 at the rim member second edge 398 is joined in fixed integral relationship with the respective sidewall panel 120 at the inner surface 191 thereof by an interior rim weld seam 399. The interior rim weld seam 399 extends along the rim member second edge 398. Interior rim weld seam 399 joins the upper rim member 370 at the rim member second edge 398 with the inner surface 191 of respective sidewall panel 120.
Referring to FIG. 4, a set of four lifting ears 400 is spaced about the sidewall panels 120. Referring to FIG. 7, each lifting ear 400 has a lifting eye 404 defined therein for receiving hoist rigging (not shown). Each lifting ear 400 is formed of plate steel material 108. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, lifting ear 400 is formed of plate steel material 108 having a nominal thickness of 1.25 inches (1¼″). Lifting eye 404 is defined by an aperture 405 extending in a transverse direction through the plate steel material 108 between opposite primary surfaces of the plate steel material 108 forming lifting ear 400. A lifting ear support member 408 is joined in abutting fixed integral relationship with inner surface 191 of a respective sidewall panel 120 by a respective weld seam 412. Lifting ear support member 408 has defined therein a lifting ear aperture 416. Lifting ear 400 is received in lifting ear aperture 416. Lifting ear 400 is joined in integral fixed relationship with lifting ear support member 408 by a respective inner full penetration weld seam 420. Referring to FIG. 4, each lifting ear 400 at a rear end 420 thereof extends outward through a respective sidewall panel 120 and is joined in integral fixed relationship therewith by a respective outer full penetration weld seam 424 (shown in FIG. 2). The lifting ears 400 are aligned with a center of work basket 100 to receive suitable hoist rigging at the lifting eyes 404 for hoisting the work basket 100.
Embodiments provide improved work baskets 100. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 includes no essential frame members formed of tube. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 is formed of four (4) sidewall panels 120 and one (1) bottom wall panel 156 each formed of plate steel material 108. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 is formed of four (4) sidewall panels 120 and one (1) bottom wall panel 156 each formed of plate steel material 108 and having no frame members formed of tube. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 is of simplified construction. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 of simplified construction complies with at least one accepted offshore service certification standard selected from the following: DNV 2.1-1, API RP2A, and BSEN 12079. According to embodiments, a work basket 100 has increased cargo well capacity per overall footprint.
Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations. For example, although described in terms of the specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made in different embodiments to provide the required function. In particular, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the names and terminology of the apparatus are not intended to limit embodiments. Furthermore, additional apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of embodiments. The terminology used in this application is intended to include all environments and alternatives which provide the same functionality as described herein.
Patent Application
20110266292
