Adjustable basket for storing and transporting cargo

Abstract

An adjustable basket for storing and transporting elongate cargo is provided. A central basket member has a substantially rectangular base and vertical walls along both long sides of the base. A first end member is slidably received within the central basket member at one end of the central basket member. A second end member is slidably received within the central basket member at the opposite end of the central basket member. Once set, the slidable first and second ends of the adjustable basket of the present invention can be locked in a desired position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] NONE STATEMENTS AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] NONE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for storing and transporting cargo. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable basket for storing and transporting elongate cargo, such as tubing or pipe. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable basket for storing and transporting elongate cargo, wherein the length of said basket can be selectively extended or collapsed. [0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0006] Various types of elongate members including, but not limited to, pipes and tubing are commonly used in construction projects and other activities, such as the drilling of oil and gas wells. Frequently, large amounts of drill pipe are used to drill oil and / or gas wells, while large amounts of cas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a basket that can be used to store and transport elongate cargo, such as drill pipe, production tubing, and casing. The basket is adjustable in length to accommodate different types and sizes of cargo. It can be extended to accommodate multiple types of cargo and then collapsed for efficient storage and transportation. The basket has a central basket member with telescoping end members that can be fully collapsed to reduce the length of the basket for easy storage and transportation. The technical effects of the invention include improved storage and handling of elongate cargo and reduced length for easy transportation and return to origin."

Problems solved by technology

Frequently, large amounts of drill pipe are used to drill oil and / or gas wells, while large amounts of casing and production tubing are often required to equip such wells for production.

Rough seas can cause such vessels to rock, which in turn can cause such tubular goods to roll around in an uncontrolled manner.

Because such tubular goods can be very heavy, rolling pipe can present a safety hazard to such vessels and personnel situated thereon.

However, although such baskets serve to secure such pipe and permit efficient transportation of same, said baskets are not without drawbacks.

Notably, after pipe and / or other elongate cargo have been removed from such baskets, the empty baskets take up virtually the same amount of space as fully loaded baskets.

As a result, such empty baskets can take up significant space on the deck of a platform, rig or work boat, where space is typically at a premium.

Similarly, such empty baskets can also take up significant space on the bed of a truck, such as when said empty baskets are being returned to a pipe yard or manufacturing facility.

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