Fastening system for a container metal honeycomb floor
By using a combination of encapsulation inserts and self-tapping screws in the metal honeycomb floor, the problem of fixing the metal honeycomb floor to the container beam components was solved, achieving a lightweight and high-strength fixing effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PEOPLE TECH SOLUTIONS LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, it is difficult to fix metal honeycomb flooring to the crossbeams of a container because self-tapping screws cannot effectively self-tap within the hollow interior of the honeycomb metal flooring.
A combination of encapsulation inserts and self-tapping screws is used. The encapsulation inserts are inserted into the holes of the metal honeycomb panel and fixed to the beam component through the channel. The tip of the self-tapping screw is embedded in the beam component, and the gaps are filled with threaded shafts and synthetic materials to enhance the fixing effect.
This method effectively fixes the metal honeycomb floor to the beam components, improving the strength and stability of the floor while reducing material usage.
Smart Images
Figure CN113753417B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of container flooring, and more specifically, to the fastening of container flooring. Background Technology
[0002] Since its introduction nearly seventy years ago, standardized shipping containers have revolutionized freight transportation. A shipping container, or container, is a reusable unit of transport and storage used to move products and materials between multiple locations. A typical container consists of a rectangular, enclosed body with a door at one end, a corrugated weathering steel frame, and wooden flooring. While approximately 90% of the world's containers are 20 or 40 feet long, container lengths vary from 8 to 60 feet worldwide. Regardless of length, a standard container is 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet high, while a "hi-cube" unit is 9.5 feet high and a "half-height" unit is 4.25 feet high. Container capacity is typically expressed in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which represent the amount of cargo that can be packed into a twenty-foot container. Transportation costs are calculated in TEUs. Two TEUs are equivalent to one forty-foot equivalent unit (FFE).
[0003] A shipping container comprises several key structural components that transmit weight and distorting forces. The first component is the roof. The container roof is typically made of corrugated weathering steel sheet with sufficient strength and rigidity. The next component is the sidewalls, made of the same material as the roof. Another component of a container is the floor and transverse members. The container floor is typically made of laminated marine plywood. The transverse members are a series of beams that form part of the floor frame support. Optionally, the floor frame may include gooseneck grooves, which facilitate the transport of the container by truck. The container floor is supported on the transverse members. Another component is the top and bottom side bars. These side bars are longitudinal structural members located at the top and bottom of the container, serving as the frame for the container body. Other important components include corner posts and corner castings, the top and bottom beams at the front end, and the door end assemblies and doors.
[0004] The construction of shipping containers is also a standardized process. First, a large steel coil is unrolled and cut into several steel plates of suitable sizes. Then, the steel plates are corrugated to provide rigidity and additional strength. Next, the steel plates are welded together to form wall panels. Afterward, square tube top side members are welded to the top of each wall panel to form sidewall assemblies. Then, the floor transverse members, gooseneck grooves, and bottom side members are welded together to form the floor frame. Doors, door end posts, door end beams, and door end corner castings are welded together to form door end assemblies. Similarly, front wall, front corner posts, front beams, and front corner castings are welded together to form front end assemblies. Once these components are assembled, the door end assemblies and front end assemblies are installed on the floor frame, and then the sidewall assemblies are installed. At this point, the sidewall assemblies are welded to the corner posts, door end assemblies, front end assemblies, and the bottom side members of the floor frame. Next, the top panels are assembled and welded. At this stage, an anti-corrosion primer is applied to the entire container structure. Finally, wooden planks are prepared for laying the floor. Each wooden board is secured to the beam member using self-tapping screws.
[0005] However, the latest trends in container construction suggest using materials other than wood for container flooring. Design challenges leading to this material shift include the need for lighter containers while maintaining floor strength. To address these design issues, metal flooring has been proposed. Proposed metal flooring includes a honeycomb structure, in which a large number of adjacent polygonal units provide strength to the floor while minimizing the amount of material present in the floor, thus creating a lightweight structure. However, as will be recognized, this flooring cannot be easily secured to the container's crossbeams because self-tapping screws cannot "self-tackle" the main hollow interior of the honeycomb metal flooring. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of existing container floor assemblies, providing a novel, non-obvious, fastening system for metal honeycomb container floors. In one embodiment, the fastening system for a metal honeycomb container floor includes an encapsulation insert comprising a body located between a top flange and a bottom flange, wherein the top flange is located at one end of the body and the bottom flange is located at the other end of the body. The body defines a channel extending from the top flange to the bottom flange, and the depth of the body does not exceed the distance from the top flange to the bottom flange. The system also includes a hole formed in the honeycomb plate of the metal honeycomb container floor, the depth of which is equal to or greater than the distance from the top of the top flange of the encapsulation insert to the bottom of the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert. Finally, the system includes a self-tapping screw disposed within the channel of the encapsulation insert, the self-tapping screw comprising a threaded shaft having a tip at the distal end of the threaded shaft and a screw head at the proximal end of the threaded shaft. In this respect, the tip of the self-tapping screw and at least a portion of the threaded shaft can be embedded in a beam member adjacent to a surface of the honeycomb panel.
[0007] In one aspect of this embodiment, the threaded shaft has a groove forming a cutting edge. In another aspect of this embodiment, the inner surface of the channel has a maximum measured circumference at a longitudinal position between the top flange and the bottom flange within the channel. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the measured circumference of the channel is maximum at either the top or bottom flange. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the inner surface of the channel has a funnel shape, with its circumference decreasing non-linearly towards the depth of the channel, then becoming constant from an intermediate position (or middle position) within the channel until the depth of the channel. Finally, in another aspect of this embodiment, the system includes a synthetic material, such as epoxy resin, for filling the void between the body of the encapsulation insert and the inner wall of the hole in the honeycomb plate when the encapsulation insert is inserted into the hole in the honeycomb plate.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will be described in part below, and these other aspects will be apparent from a portion of this description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Various aspects of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only, and not intended to limit the claimed invention. Brief description of the attached figures
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments shown in the drawings are currently preferred; however, it should be understood that the invention should not be limited to the exact arrangements and means shown in the drawings.
[0010] Figure 1 A perspective view of the fastening system used for metal honeycomb container flooring;
[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D view of the in-segment insert;
[0012] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A side view of the encapsulation insert, wherein a self-tapping screw with a slotted threaded shaft is inserted through the encapsulation insert;
[0013] Figure 4 For use Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of the underside of the metal honeycomb container floor, where the self-tapping screws of the fastening system are fixed to the crossbeam members; and
[0014] Figure 5 For use Figure 1 The shown fastening system is a side sectional view of the honeycomb panel of the metal honeycomb container floor, which is fixed to the container crossbeam members. Detailed Implementation
[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fastening system for a metal honeycomb container floor. According to one embodiment, a perforation is formed in a metal honeycomb container floor, into which an encapsulating insert is inserted, and resin is applied in the gap between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the floor. The encapsulating insert has flanges at opposite ends and a body defining a channel extending longitudinally from one flange toward the opposite flange, the depth of which does not exceed the distance from the top flange to the bottom flange. Optionally, the inner surface of the channel has a circumference that, when measured, decreases longitudinally from the one flange toward the opposite flange. A self-tapping screw with a threaded shaft (optionally with a groove) is located within the channel, with the screw tip passing through the top surface of a beam member on which the floor is supported, thereby securing the floor to the beam member.
[0016] In further explanation, Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fastening system used for metal honeycomb container floors. Figure 1As shown, a plurality of different holes 125 are formed on the metal honeycomb panel 145 (only one hole 125 is shown in the figure for simplicity), each hole corresponding to the top surface of the beam member 135 (only a partial view of one beam member is shown in the figure for simplicity). The depth of these holes is equal to or greater than the distance from the top of the top flange of the potted insert to the bottom of the bottom flange of the potted insert. The metal honeycomb panel 145 is a panel with a top surface and a bottom surface, and has a honeycomb core defined by a large number of polygonal units to minimize the mass of the panel while giving it strength.
[0017] An encapsulation insert 190 is inserted into each hole 125 such that the top flange 170 of the encapsulation insert 190 is flush with the top surface of the metal honeycomb panel 145. In the illustrated example, the hole 125 is drilled through the thickness of the metal honeycomb panel 145, and the length of the encapsulation insert 190 is the same as the depth of the hole 125 in the metal honeycomb panel 145, such that the bottom flange 180 of the encapsulation insert 190 is flush with the bottom surface of the metal honeycomb panel 145; however, the depth of the hole 125 in the illustration may be less than the thickness of the panel 145, and the bottom flange 180 of the encapsulation insert 190 may be located at any depth of the hole 125 in the illustration. Optionally, to secure the encapsulation insert 190 in the hole 125 in the illustration, a synthetic resin 115 (e.g., epoxy resin) is inserted into the gap region between the outer surface of the encapsulation insert 190 and the inner surface of the hole 125 in the illustration.
[0018] The encapsulation insert 190 itself includes a body 160 located between a top flange 170 and a bottom flange 180, and defines an internal channel 140 through which a self-tapping screw 110 is inserted. The channel 140 includes an inner surface 150, which, in one aspect of this embodiment, may have a funnel shape, with its perimeter decreasing non-linearly from the portion closest to the top flange 170 toward the portion between the top flange 170 and the bottom flange 180. The self-tapping screw 110 has a threaded shaft 120, optionally having fluted threads 130. Thus, when the self-tapping screw 110 is inserted through the channel 140, it secures itself to the top of the beam member 135, causing the head of the self-tapping screw 110 to contact the inner surface 150, thereby pulling the encapsulation insert 190 and the metal honeycomb panel 145 together toward the top surface of the beam member 135.
[0019] In further explanation, Figure 2 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the encapsulated insert. (See image below.) Figure 2As shown, the exemplary package insert 200 has a body 230 located between a top flange 210 and a bottom flange 220. The body 230 defines a channel 240, which includes an inner surface 250. Optionally, the inner surface 250 is funnel-shaped, and its circumference decreases non-linearly from the portion of the channel 240 closest to the top flange 210 toward the portion between the channel and the bottom flange 220 or immediately adjacent to the bottom flange 220.
[0020] Reference Figure 3 , it is Figure 2 A side view of the encapsulation insert 300, through which a self-tapping screw 310 with a grooved threaded shaft is inserted. The self-tapping screw 310 is inserted into the encapsulation insert 300 such that the tip of the threaded shaft 320, having an optional slot 330, can thread itself to the top surface of the beam member, causing frictional engagement between the inner surface of the encapsulation insert (not shown) and the screw head of the screw 310. (As shown) Figure 4 (its use) Figure 1 As shown in the exemplary bottom perspective view of the self-tapping screws of the fastening system being fixed to the bottom surface of the metal honeycomb container floor on the beam member, the tip 420 of the screw can pass through the outside of the beam member 410 to fix the metal honeycomb panel 400 to the beam member 410.
[0021] In a further explanation, Figure 5 To utilize Figure 1 An exemplary side sectional view of the honeycomb panel of the metal honeycomb container floor, shown in the illustration, where the fastening system is secured to the container crossbeam members. (See also...) Figure 5 As shown, through Figure 1 In operation of the fastening system, the metal honeycomb floor 510 can be secured to the crossbeam member 590 of the container. More specifically, the encapsulation insert 500 can be inserted into the hole 540 of the drilled plate 510, such that the top flange of the encapsulation insert 500 is flush with the top surface 520 of the plate 510, and optionally, the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert 500 is flush with the bottom surface 530 of the plate 510.
[0022] The encapsulation insert 500 includes a channel 550 having a funnel-shaped inner surface 560. A self-tapping screw 570 is inserted into the channel 550 such that the tip 580 of the self-tapping screw 570 embeds itself in the top surface of the beam member 590 either at the center of the beam member or through a flange extending laterally from the vertical web of the beam member. The screw tip 580 of the self-tapping screw 570 can travel through the beam member to a depth defined by the frictional contact between the bottom of the screw head of the self-tapping screw 570 and the inner surface 560 to secure the plate 510 to the beam member 590.
[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular form “a” as used herein is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “comprising” as used herein indicates the presence of the stated feature, integral, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0024] All means plus functional elements, corresponding structures, materials, and equivalents in the appended claims are intended to include any structure, material, or action that performs a function in combination with other claimed elements of the specific claim. The above description of the invention is given for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to exhaustively describe or limit the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments selected and described in this specification are intended to best explain the principles and practical application of the invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand various embodiments of the invention with various modifications suitable for the intended particular use.
[0025] The present invention has been specifically described above with reference to embodiments thereof. Obviously, many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fastening system for metal honeycomb container flooring, comprising: An encapsulation insert includes a body located between a top flange and a bottom flange, wherein the top flange is located at one end of the body and the bottom flange is located at the other end of the body; the body defines a channel from the top flange to the bottom flange, and the depth of the body does not exceed the distance from the top flange to the bottom flange; the inner surface of the channel has a funnel shape, the circumference of which decreases towards the depth of the channel, and then becomes constant from a transition position within the channel up to a position at the depth of the channel; Holes formed in the plate of the metal honeycomb container floor, the depth of which is equal to or greater than the distance from the top of the top flange of the encapsulation insert to the bottom of the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert; and A self-tapping screw disposed within the channel of the encapsulation insert, the self-tapping screw comprising a threaded shaft having a tip at a distal end of the threaded shaft and a screw head at a proximal end of the threaded shaft.
2. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein, The tip of the self-tapping screw and at least a portion of the threaded shaft are embedded in a beam member adjacent to the surface of the plate.
3. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein, The threaded shaft has a groove, and a cutting edge is formed on the threaded shaft.
4. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein, The inner surface of the channel has the largest measurable circumference of the top or bottom flange of the encapsulation insert.
5. The fastening system of claim 1, further comprising a synthetic resin that fills the gap between the body of the encapsulation insert and the inner wall of the hole when the encapsulation insert is inserted into the hole on the plate.
6. A fastening system for metal honeycomb container flooring, comprising: An encapsulation insert includes a body located between a top flange and a bottom flange, wherein the top flange is located at one end of the body and the bottom flange is located at the other end of the body; the body defines a channel from the top flange to the bottom flange, and the depth of the body does not exceed the distance from the top flange to the bottom flange; the channel includes an inner surface having a funnel shape, the perimeter of which decreases towards the depth of the channel and then becomes constant from a transition position within the channel up to a position at the depth of the channel; Holes formed in the plate of the metal honeycomb container floor, the depth of which is equal to or greater than the distance from the top of the top flange of the encapsulation insert to the bottom of the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert; and A self-tapping screw disposed within the channel of the encapsulation insert, the self-tapping screw comprising a grooved threaded shaft with a kerf, a tip located at the distal end of the threaded shaft, and a screw head located at the proximal end of the threaded shaft.
7. A fastening system for metal honeycomb container flooring, comprising: An encapsulation insert includes a body located between a top flange and a bottom flange, wherein the top flange is located at one end of the body and the bottom flange is located at the other end of the body; the body defines a channel from the top flange to the bottom flange, and the depth of the body does not exceed the distance from the top flange to the bottom flange; the channel includes an inner surface having a maximum measurable circumference at either the top flange or the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert; the inner surface of the channel has a funnel shape, the circumference of which decreases toward the depth of the channel and then becomes constant from a transition position within the channel up to a position at the depth of the channel; Holes formed in the plate of the metal honeycomb container floor, the depth of which is equal to or greater than the distance from the top of the top flange of the encapsulation insert to the bottom of the bottom flange of the encapsulation insert; and A self-tapping screw disposed within the channel of the encapsulation insert, the self-tapping screw comprising a grooved threaded shaft with a kerf, a tip located at the distal end of the threaded shaft, and a screw head located at the proximal end of the threaded shaft.