Intermodal warehousing system

Abstract

An intermodal storage system includes a platform, a plurality of legs, four corner castings and additional castings located on the long sides of the platform. Each of the legs will be extendable, with an anchor located at one end and a casting located at the other end, the legs and castings being constructed of aluminum. The anchors are carried by steel plates bolted to the legs. To avoid galvanic reactions, aluminum bushings with steel inserts are welded to the inside of the legs and steel bolts secure the steel plates to the steel inserts. An external handle includes a bolt that extends into the leg and cooperates with a wedge located therein, which moves the anchor up or down. The handle bolt, wedge and anchor are constructed and arranged so that rotation of the handle moves the anchor up or down thereby locking the leg to the casting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermodal warehousing system using ISO shipping pallets or platforms. The invention includes improvements to the diagonal posts and improvements to the platform itself. The purpose of the invention is to make it easier and faster to add or remove posts and to increase the loading capacity of the stacking system. Background Art

[0002] International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shipping pallets or platforms have been used for many years for transporting bulk items or materials. Frequently, these shipping pallets or platforms are used to transport goods in ISO shipping containers. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,663,268, which describes a typical platform and its use. The entire content of this document is incorporated herein by reference. As is also known in the art, ISO shipping containers are made of steel and are 40 feet or 20 feet long, and are typically 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet or 9.5 feet high.

[0003] In some cases, a platform is loaded with equipment or materials that extend substantially the entire height of a container. However, sometimes the materials on the platform extend only a relatively short height because of limitations on how high the materials can be stacked. In such cases, transporting, storing or warehousing such a partially loaded platform becomes inefficient because there is wasted space above the materials.

[0004] As shown in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 9,663,268 and in U.S. Published Application No. 2008 / 0210687, the ISO platform includes corner castings so that the platform can be secured to the ISO container. Corner castings themselves are well known in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,722,714, 3,752,511, 6,729,098 and 9,120,618, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0005] When a platform is not loaded to full height or cannot be loaded to full height, it is advisable to stack two or more high to avoid wasting space in the container or in a storage or warehousing facility. This has been achieved by using corner posts at each corner of the platform, adapted to support a second platform above the first. The height of these corner posts is preferably 4 feet, so that two platforms with 3 or 4 feet of material on them can fit into a standard ISO container. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,663,268. Figure 3 See also Figure 9 of U.S. Published Application No. 2008 / 0210687.

[0006] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,663,268 Figure 3 As best shown in Figure 1, each corner post includes a conventional tongue or anchor at its base and a conventional casting at its top. The tongue itself allows the post to be connected to a lower platform, while the casting allows another upper platform to be carried atop it. These connections are made in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art.

[0007] Although these prior art corner posts have achieved some success, they still have many disadvantages. Since they are made almost entirely of steel, they are very heavy and difficult to be carried and placed in place by one person. In addition, tools are required to assemble the posts to the platform. Moreover, the installation is labor intensive and time consuming. Further, in the case of conventional posts, there is a left post and a right post, which must be correctly positioned in its correct corner. This requires additional post inventory and increases installation time. It is also noted that the second or upper platform in the stacked platforms will bend under the weight of the material carried thereon. This does not happen with the bottom platform because it is supported on the ground or floor or other surface.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a system that includes a lighter column so that it can be carried by one person and is significantly less labor intensive to install. There is also a need for a system that can more easily support a second (and possibly subsequent) platform above the lowermost platform. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above.It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermodal storage system that allows platform stacking but is more robust than existing systems.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide such an intermodal warehousing system that includes legs that are significantly lighter than conventional legs.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an intermodal storage system that is easier and faster to assemble or disassemble.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment showing the features and advantages of the present invention, an intermodal storage system is provided, the intermodal storage system including a platform and a plurality of legs. In addition to the normal four corner castings, additional castings are positioned on the long sides of the platform to help support another platform mounted above the lower platform.

[0013] Each leg comprises an elongated square section which is extendable, with an anchor located at one end and a casting located at the other end, the elongated square section and casting being constructed of aluminum. The anchor is carried by a steel plate bolted to the square section. To avoid galvanic reaction, an aluminum bushing with a steel insert is welded to the inside of the leg, and a steel bolt secures the steel plate to the steel insert. The outer handle comprises a bolt which extends into the leg and cooperates with a wedge located therein, which moves the anchor up or down. The handle bolt, wedge and anchor are constructed and arranged so that a rotation of the handle through about 180 degrees will move the anchor up or down by about a quarter inch, which is all that is required to lock the leg to the casting.

[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that it is not intended to limit this invention to the strict arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0016] Figure 1 is a front top perspective view of a storage system of the present invention, the storage system comprising an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shipping pallet or platform and corner posts or legs;

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front and bottom of the improved leg;

[0018] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 , showing the improved legs;

[0019] Figure 4a , Figure 4b and Figure 4c The telescopic form of the outrigger is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a galvanized steel bushing for use with the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a steel bushing swaged into an aluminum bushing;

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a built-up bushing welded into a leg;

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Bottom view of

[0024] Figure 9a and Figure 9b The locking bolt of the present invention and the mechanism for moving the locking bolt are shown in its disengaged state, and

[0025] Fig.10a and Fig.10b Similar to Figure 9a and Figure 9b , but the bolt is shown in its engaged state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to designate like elements throughout the different views, Figure 1 An intermodal warehousing system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. System 10 includes an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) rectangular shaped shipping pallet or platform 12 and corner posts or legs 14, only one of which is shown for clarity.

[0027] The platform 12 is of relatively conventional construction and does not require much discussion. However, it does differ from conventional platforms in that, in addition to the castings 20, 22, 24 and 26 located at its corners, the platform 12 includes two additional castings 16 and 18, one on each of the long sides of the platform 12. The additional castings 16 and 18 are located generally equidistant between the ends of the platform 12. These additional castings 16 and 18 also allow for the use of intermediate posts or legs in addition to the usual corner posts 14. Thus, another platform (not shown) mounted above the illustrated platform 12 can carry considerable weight without buckling because the intermediate posts provide additional central support.

[0028] The columns or legs (e.g., leg 14) are also different from the conventional legs described above. Conventional legs are made of steel, which makes them very heavy so that workers cannot easily manipulate them. The legs of the present invention are constructed of aluminum, which makes the legs of the present invention significantly lighter than conventional legs. This includes both the elongated square tube section 28 and the corner castings 30. All legs are identical to each other. Therefore, although only one leg is shown described in detail, it will be understood that the description applies to all legs constructed in the same manner.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tube portion 28 of the leg 14 can be constructed into two or more telescopic parts so that its length can be adjusted as needed. Figure 4a-4c As best shown in FIG. 1 , the lower leg member 32 slides into the upper member 34. The lower member 32 includes a plurality of apertures 36, while the upper member includes apertures 38. When the selected apertures are aligned, the lower leg member 32 and the upper leg member 34 are locked in place using a locking pin 40.

[0030] Corner casting 30 is similar to conventional castings, but has several significant differences. First, as noted above, the casting is made of aluminum rather than steel, which greatly reduces the weight of the casting. Like conventional corner castings, corner casting 30 includes oblong openings such as 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d in vertical walls 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d of the corner casting. However, unlike conventional castings, openings 42a, etc. are centered in their corresponding vertical walls 44a, etc. Therefore, there is no left-handed or right-handed column or leg. All legs are interchangeable and can be used in any position on the pallet 12. This reduces the cost of producing the legs and also reduces the number of legs that must be maintained in inventory. It also reduces the time spent on installing the legs because the installer does not have to spend time selecting right-handed or left-handed legs. Each corner casting 30 also includes a conventional opening 48 at the top thereof, as with conventional corner castings.

[0031] Each leg (e.g., leg 14) also includes an anchor 46 at its bottom end. As is known in the art, anchor 46 is used to attach leg 14 to the top of casting 16 or 20, or generally any other casting, in a tray. Anchor 46 is generally constructed and operates in a conventional manner. That is, leg 14 is placed over the top opening of casting 16, and the entire leg 14 is then rotated 90 degrees. Anchor 46 is then moved upward to grab the inner surface of casting 16 to secure leg 14 to casting 16. The general manner in which this is accomplished is conventional and can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 9,663,268. Figure 3 b. By turning the threaded bolt, the wedge is moved sideways as shown in the figure. As the wedge moves, it enters a wedge-shaped opening in the stem of the anchor and cams the anchor upward into its locked position. Reverse rotation of the bolt releases the anchor. Again, this general operation is conventional and well known in the art.

[0032] The present invention differs from the conventional wedge 49 and screw arrangement 50 in a slight but significant structural manner. According to the present invention, there are fewer threads on the threaded bolt 50 and they are spaced farther apart from each other. Also, notably, the internal threads in the wedge 49 are complementary to the threads on the bolt 50. Due to this arrangement, only a half turn of the bolt 50 using the handle 52 is required to move the wedge 49 up or down about a quarter inch, which is sufficient to lock the anchor 46 and therefore the leg 14 in place. Further, locking washers 54 and 56 are positioned on the bolt 50 on the inside and outside of the leg 14. This prevents any axial movement of the bolt and only allows rotational movement.

[0033] The present invention also includes a novel way of connecting the anchor 46 to the leg 14. As with conventional anchors, the anchor 46 and the wedge 49 and other operative components are carried by the plate 58. In conventional systems, the plate is connected to the leg through the use of bolts passing through openings in the plate, which cooperate with threaded tabs located on the inside of the leg. Since the leg 14 of the present invention is made of aluminum, conventional fixing systems cannot be used. Aluminum bolts are not strong enough, and steel bolts cannot be used because this may cause a galvanic reaction between the steel bolts and the aluminum leg 14.

[0034] To address this problem, aluminum bushings 60 are welded to the inside corners of the bottom of the legs 14. A galvanized steel bushing 62 having a knurled outer surface 64 is preferably swaged into each aluminum bushing prior to welding. The steel bushing 62 is threaded internally to receive a threaded steel bolt 66 that passes through the plate 58 to hold the anchor mechanism in place.

[0035] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An intermodal warehousing system comprising a platform and a plurality of legs adapted to be connected to the platform, and wherein: Each of the legs comprises an elongated square portion, an anchor at one end of the elongated square portion, the anchor being adapted to be fixed to a corner casting of the platform, and a casting at the other end of the elongated square portion, the casting being adapted to be connected to another anchor, characterised in that the elongated square portion and the casting of the leg are constructed of aluminium, wherein the anchor is carried by a steel plate bolted to the square portion, and wherein the square portion of the leg comprises an aluminium bushing welded thereto adjacent the steel plate and further comprises a steel bushing within the aluminium bushing, the steel bushing having an internal thread and into which a bolt is threaded.

2. The intermodal warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein: The steel bushing is galvanized.

3. The intermodal warehousing system according to claim 2, wherein: The steel bushing has a knurled outer surface and is swaged into the aluminum bushing.

4. The intermodal warehousing system of claim 1, wherein: The elongated square portion of the leg is formed by two telescopic parts, whereby the length of the elongated square portion is adjustable.

5. The intermodal warehousing system as described in claim 1 also includes a handle located on the outside of the square portion, the handle including a handle bolt, the handle bolt extending into the interior of the leg and threaded into a wedge positioned with the leg, for causing the wedge to move laterally when the handle is rotated, and the anchor includes an upper portion within the leg, the upper portion cooperating with the wedge so that rotation of the handle causes the anchor to move upward or downward.

6. The intermodal warehousing system of claim 5 further comprising locking washers on the handle bolt, one of the locking washers being located within the interior of the leg and the other of the locking washers being located on the exterior of the leg, the locking washers preventing lateral movement of the handle bolt.

7. The intermodal warehousing system of claim 6, wherein: The handle bolt, wedge and anchor are constructed and arranged so that rotating the handle 180 degrees moves the anchor up or down a quarter inch.

8. The intermodal warehousing system of claim 1, wherein: The casting on the leg includes four sides and an opening on each side, each of the openings being at the center of its respective side.

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