Improved collapsible transport container actuator

Abstract

An improved actuator for a collapsible transport container. An apparatus and method for lifting and collapsing a collapsible cargo container includes a frame and a vertical guide for aligning the actuator with the cargo container. A first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly engage the end walls of the container to pivot the end walls against the top plate of the container, wherein locking holds the end walls in a retracted position. Then, with the aid of the actuator, the foldable side walls are secured by the weight of the top plate until the side walls occupy a predominantly horizontal position between the top plate / end wall assembly and the floor of the cargo container, thus forming a compact configuration. The actuator unfolds the container using the above steps in reverse order.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The transportation industry uses large cargo containers to move goods from one location to another. These containers can be easily and conveniently loaded and unloaded, and can be moved from one transport vehicle or vessel to another for transland and / or transsea transport. In this way, goods traveling in large quantities to a common destination can be easily moved, reducing the time required for loading and unloading transport vessels. Background Technology

[0002] The cargo containers used today have become largely standardized in size and structure, making them easy, convenient, and secure to stack vertically side-by-side and end-to-end to maximize the use of cabin and deck space on ships and other vessels where such containers are placed.

[0003] The main disadvantage found when using cargo containers with this characteristic lies in the fact that routine commercial activities require these containers to be transported empty from a delivery station or location to the next loading station or location. This transport of empty containers is unprofitable because each such container occupies valuable and expensive space that could otherwise accommodate loaded or filled containers. Furthermore, the handling and transport of both loaded and empty containers creates numerous other problems. One such problem lies in the proper and safe arrangement of light empty containers and heavy loaded containers on board the ship.

[0004] When transporting a high percentage of empty containers, such ship voyages are uneconomical, and the inefficiency must be compensated for by increasing cargo costs elsewhere. Given the foregoing, significant economic savings can be achieved if empty containers can be folded or collapsed so that they occupy a portion of the space they would normally occupy. If two containers, when collapsed, can occupy the space of one container in its normal configuration, the transportation costs of empty, collapsed containers will be significantly reduced.

[0005] Like traditional cargo containers, collapsible cargo containers require equipment called "spreaders" to lift and lower them from loading platforms onto ships, trains, etc., and vice versa. These spreaders are large crane structures with interlocking mechanisms to grip or engage cargo containers to be lifted or lowered from one location to another, preventing the containers from tilting or falling during transfer operations. Spreaders are commonly used at shipping ports, railway stations, and other locations that handle large volumes of containers daily. Some spreaders are designed to lift containers of specific lengths, while others are adjustable to accommodate containers of various sizes. Many spreaders are suspended from the crane via head blocks or cables that can be used to lower the claw-like device to the roof of the container to engage with the locking mechanism. Typically, a "twist lock" on the spreader engages with the four upper corner fittings of the transport container, locking the spreader to the container so that it can be safely lifted and lowered. Although such lifting devices are ubiquitous in the transportation industry, they are primarily constructed for standard cargo containers and therefore cannot enable the novel collapsible cargo container developed by the inventors to collapse.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 7,722,101 is a spreader for a collapsible cargo container, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Patent '101 discloses an actuation mechanism that pushes in a door of a collapsible container and then secures the door to a wall to fold the container into a compact configuration. The actuation mechanism operates in reverse to open or unfold the container from its collapsible configuration, allowing the container to be easily folded for transport and unfolded for use when needed. However, new collapsible containers require modifications to the original actuator, and the present invention improves and modifies the actuator in a reliable and convenient manner. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention is a collapsible container actuator for folding transport containers into their collapsed configuration and unfolding them into their open configuration. The actuator of this invention has at least six pick points that contact the container and apply the force required to retract the container walls and fold the container into a compact state. The use of six pick points prevents sinking and provides more robust and reliable operation than existing actuators. This actuator is significantly lighter than existing actuators and can be easily moved and transferred from various devices for use on a variety of collapsible transport containers.

[0008] The actuator is characterized by a double-arm linkage that, when engaged with a corresponding piston, applies a 180-degree range of motion, reliably moving the end wall of the collapsible container against the container's ceiling. The double-arm linkage improves the actuator's leverage by lowering the point of force application and thus reducing the force required to raise and lower the end wall. In a preferred embodiment, the point of force application is at the very bottom of the end wall, maximizing the actuator's leverage. Furthermore, a simple, readily available piston-moving linkage can be used, reducing costs and facilitating parts replacement. Another feature of the actuator is the use of a rotatable wheel at the point of contact to reduce friction and damage to the end wall. Instead of a rod or pad, the wheel allows some relative movement between the actuator and the end wall without damaging or scraping the end wall. Additionally, the actuator is configured to function as a platform when not in use.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example a novel actuator for a collapsible cargo container and its method of use. Attached Figure Description

[0010] In the accompanying drawings, the container's roof and several other sections are cut open, and the near-side walls of the container have been removed for clarity. The container is viewed from below ground level upwards to show relevant details of its interior, but during the folding / unfolding process, the container is actually placed on a support platform such as the ground, another container, or a truck chassis.

[0011] Figure 1 A top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the actuator of the present invention is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the left half of the actuator, in which the arm is positioned horizontally for easy mounting on top of the cargo container;

[0013] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the left half of the actuator, in which the pivot arm is vertically positioned to support the cargo container door;

[0014] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the left half of the actuator, in which, as part of the collapse sequence, the pivot arm pushes the cargo door upward by rotating upward back to the horizontal direction; and

[0015] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the left half of the actuator, in which, as part of the collapse sequence, the pivot arm rotates against the top plate of the cargo container as it completes the upward rotation of the cargo door. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 A first preferred embodiment of an actuator for a collapsible container is shown, such as the container disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,045,280, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. While cranes and other lifting devices are compatible with actuator 1, actuator 1 is preferably operable using a head block or multiple lifting cables via a modified forklift truck. The corners of actuator 1 may include lugs (not shown) to resist rotation of the suspended container, or may have hooks, wheels, eyelets, or other mounting points for other guide devices or cables.

[0017] The actuator's main structure is a frame 4, which includes a pair of full-length tubular beams supporting transverse support members 6 at first and second intermediate positions along the frame. The frame 4 and the transverse support members can be formed from rectangular or square steel tubing and are welded or bolted together to form a rigid structure. At each end of the frame 4 are transverse end beams 2, each equipped with a facing twist-lock assembly 5 capable of engaging an opening in the container's roof and locking onto the container for capture and transport. A central crossbeam 3 is located at the midpoint of the frame 4 and connects to the tubular beams; this crossbeam is also equipped with a facing twist-lock that engages with an opening at the upper center of the container.

[0018] come Figure 2 Each end of frame 4 is fitted with a pivoting actuator mechanism comprising an upper arm 7 and a lower arm 8. While other forms of motors or power systems and their relative positions on actuator 1 are considered within the scope of the art, the actuator mechanism is preferably driven by a conventional hydraulic motor 10 mounted on crossbeam 3. Wheels 9 on the distal extension member 11 at the outer periphery of the lower arm 8 engage the container door and end wall. As described below, when the hydraulic motor 10 drives the arm assembly, rotation of the arms 7 and 8 of the actuator mechanism causes the wheels 9 to engage and rotate the end wall and door of the collapsible cargo container. Figure 2 Actuator 1 is shown with upper arm 7 and lower arm 8 in a fully retracted position, both of which are horizontal relative to the ground. This retracted position is adapted to leave when actuator 1 is mounted on top of a collapsible cargo container.

[0019] Figure 2 A pair of pistons is further shown, each mounted on its respective lug and configured to apply the necessary directional force to rotate the pusher mechanism at an appropriate arc to collapse the container. Furthermore, a linkage mounted on top of frame 4 engages and disengages the torsion lock device, which is manually or automatically controlled by a suitable mechanism.

[0020] Figure 3The actuator mechanism is shown in a vertical orientation due to the force applied to the upper arm 7 by the first piston. The lower arm 8 is vertical, and the extension member 11 abuts against the end wall of the collapsible cargo container before the collapse procedure begins. Figure 4 In the process, the actuator mechanism further rotates the extension of the second piston at the rocker arm, causing the lower arm to rotate inward, thereby pushing the end wall of the container around the upper hinge and causing the end wall to rotate against the top plate of the container. This process then continues... Figure 5 The rotation is completed in the middle, and the lower arm 8 has undergone a 180-degree rotation from its retracted position. The reverse operation is performed to unlock the end wall from the container and unfold the container.

[0021] The double-arm linkage can rotate through a 180-degree range of motion, allowing for the most reliable mounting to the cargo container and moving the end walls of the collapsible container against the container's top plate. The double-arm linkage also provides the most reliable way to detach the end walls from the cargo container's top plate using minimal torque on the actuators. It must be remembered that the container's end walls can exceed 1000 pounds; other linkages cannot rotate the end walls through the necessary arc for mounting to and detaching from the cargo container's top plate.

[0022] Furthermore, the double-arm linkage improves the lever effect of the actuator by lowering the point of force application and thus reducing the magnitude of the force required to raise and lower the end wall. In a preferred embodiment, the point of force application is at the very bottom of the end wall, thereby maximizing the lever effect of the actuator. Another feature of the actuator is the use of a rotatable wheel 9 at the contact point to reduce friction and damage to the end wall. Instead of a rod or pad, the wheel allows some relative movement between the actuator and the end wall without damaging or scraping the end wall. Another important benefit is that the double-arm system applied at each end of the container reduces the chance of door torsion, as torsion can prevent the door from successfully locking into the mooring device on the top plate. Additionally, the actuator is configured to also function as a platform when not in use.

Claims

1. A collapsible transport container actuator for collapsing and deploying a container, the actuator comprising: A rigid frame, comprising a first longitudinal tube beam and a second longitudinal tube beam connected by transverse support members; First transverse end beam and second transverse end beam, both of which include a pair of downward-facing twist-lock assemblies adapted to engage an opening on the upper surface of the collapsible transport container. A first pivot actuator assembly and a second pivot actuator assembly are respectively mounted on the first transverse end beam and the second transverse end beam. Both the first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly include an upper arm and a lower arm that rotates about a connecting portion connected to the upper arm. A hydraulic engine connected to the first pivot thruster assembly and the second pivot thruster assembly for pivoting the first pivot thruster assembly and the second pivot thruster assembly to engage with corresponding end walls on the collapsible transport container; The hydraulic engine drives the upper arm to cause rotation of the first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly, thereby engaging the lower arm with the corresponding end wall of the collapsible transport container and causing the corresponding end wall of the collapsible transport container to rotate against the top plate of the collapsible transport container.

2. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collapsible transport container actuator also includes wheels on the lower arms of the first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly.

3. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collapsible transport container actuator also includes a central crossbeam at the midpoint of the rigid frame, the central crossbeam being equipped with a downward-facing torsion lock assembly for engaging the upper surface of the collapsible transport container.

4. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly rotate through an angle of 180 degrees.

5. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly are adapted to engage the end wall of the collapsible transport container at the bottom edge of the collapsible transport container.

6. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly are adapted to operate simultaneously to reduce the torsional force on the container.

7. The collapsible transport container actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first pivot actuator assembly and the second pivot actuator assembly include a first piston and a second piston.

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