Shipping container and method of construction thereof

Abstract

An intermodal shipping container including one or more improvements such as intermediate gable posts or gable headers adapted to increase an internal width and strength of the container, wherein the gable posts or the gable headers include twin channels having at least two internal flanges welded to a gable post plate or gable header plate, one or more upper castings having an integral top rail ledge, wherein a top rail of a side wall hangs on the integral top rail ledge, “C” channel style beam main frame cross members, a one-piece continuous top plate including an integral lip connecting the top plate and a roof, one or more rear lower castings, wherein the one or more rear lower castings are an integral interlocking interface, a bolster including an integral seating and fastening surface and slots, and/or one or more nested rear corner posts subassemblies, the one or more nested rear corner posts having a notch and protrusion connection, wherein a protrusion in a lower rear casting engages with a corresponding notch in the rear corner post.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 076,061 filed Sep. 9, 2020, entitled “SHIPPING CONTAINER AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.[0002]The present invention relates to reusable intermodal shipping containers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Containers are used to transport materials. The containers may be transported by trucks on the highway, by trains on the railway and or by nautical vessels, for example. They may be individual or stacked on top of one another.[0004]The basic design of intermodal containers has changed very little over the past 25 years. In fact, the performance of some current containers may have actually been compromised to achieve some of the (customer requested) design targets to such a point that they very likely no longer meet the required loading / stacking / handling requirements as mandated by AAR M-930 (or similar / equivalent governing industry standards).[0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The present invention also provides rear headers with integral internal gussets that further enhance the strength of the header assemblies

[0017]The present invention also provides an intermodal shipping container including one or more rear lower castings, wherein the one or more rear lower castings are an integral interlocking interface, wherein a door sill abuts the rear lower casting and a rear corner post, the one or more rear lower castings having an observation hole to externally view a chassis twist lock. The rear lower casting profile increases the length of the weld interface and therefore the strength.

Problems solved by technology

In fact, the performance of some current containers may have actually been compromised to achieve some of the (customer requested) design targets to such a point that they very likely no longer meet the required loading / stacking / handling requirements as mandated by AAR M-930 (or similar / equivalent governing industry standards).

However, many problems still exist with containers.

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