Base for a cargo container, cargo container and method of repairing a base of a cargo container

Abstract

A base for a cargo container includes a bottom panel (230), a top panel (220), a riser, and a brace (270). The top panel has a top surface (222) facing away from the bottom panel. The riser interconnects the top panel and the bottom panel. The brace extends between the top panel and the bottom panel and is configured to maintain a distance between the top panel and the bottom panel. The brace (270) is replaceable from the base without accessing the top surface of the top panel.

Description

[0001] Inter-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 270,754, filed October 22, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to cargo containers, and more specifically, to cargo container bases and their removable supports. Background Technology

[0004] Many air cargo containers employ a double-base configuration to allow forklifts to pick up and move them. This type of configuration has been in use for at least 50 years. A double-base configuration consists of a top plate and a bottom plate, connected by brackets or other supports to handle compressive and shear loads, while allowing forklift forks to enter and pass through the space in the base to lift the base and thus the container.

[0005] During use, it is common for forklift forks to enter the forklift holes in the base at an angle, causing the forks to impact the bracket. Impacts from the forklift forks can cause serious damage to the bracket, potentially rendering the air cargo container unsafe for air travel, necessitating its removal from service and repair.

[0006] To replace a damaged support frame in an air cargo container, repairs may require drilling out the rivets holding the frame to the top plate and the rivets holding it to the bottom plate, and then removing the damaged frame through one of the forklift holes. A new frame can be inserted through one of the forklift holes and then riveted in place, restoring the air cargo container to its basic strength and returning it to service. Drilling out and replacing the rivets on the top plate will require access to the top surface of the top plate to reach the rivets.

[0007] Typical air cargo containers have a base, allowing access from both the top and bottom panels when empty. However, when a typical air cargo container is loaded, it must be unloaded to allow access from the top panel. Therefore, it is necessary to unload the typical air cargo container to remove damaged supports.

[0008] Furthermore, the top panels of specialized air cargo containers (such as refrigerated containers) may be covered by insulation, refrigeration duct systems, and / or shelves. Therefore, servicing a specialized air cargo container may require not only the removal of any cargo but also the dismantling of other aspects of the container to allow access to the top panels for support removal. While servicing a specialized air cargo container is possible, removing these additional components to access the rivets for support replacement is very expensive and time-consuming.

[0009] Removing goods and reloading them into another container may require special facilities for customs or certain types of goods. For example, customs may require a chain of custody. Furthermore, some goods may be time-sensitive, so removal and reloading could cause them to miss the time window for shipment. Additionally, removing goods may damage them or render them unsuitable. For example, refrigerated goods may be subjected to temperatures exceeding acceptable limits. Such goods could be time- and / or temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In general, this disclosure relates to cargo container bases, and more specifically, to replaceable supports for cargo container bases. While the replaceable supports described herein are relevant to air cargo containers, the supports described herein are also within the scope of this disclosure for use with any container including a double-base construction having a top plate and a bottom plate or other similar structure.

[0011] The replaceable supports described herein can be replaced via a single panel, such as a top panel or a bottom panel. While access via the bottom panel is described, it should be understood that the configuration can be reversed to allow access via the top panel. Replacing supports via a single panel allows for the repair and / or replacement of damaged supports without dismantling, removing, or taking cargo from the cargo container.

[0012] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the base for a cargo container includes a bottom plate, a top plate, vertical plates, and a support. The top plate has a top surface facing away from the bottom plate. The vertical plates connect the top plate and the bottom plate to each other. The support extends between the top plate and the bottom plate and is configured to maintain the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support can be replaced from the base without needing to access the top surface of the top plate.

[0013] In several embodiments, the bracket includes feet, a head, and a body interconnecting the feet and the head. The feet may be fixed to a bottom plate. The head may be fixed to a top plate. The feet may extend vertically from the body, and the head may extend vertically from the body. The feet may extend from the body in a first direction, and the head may extend from the body in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The bracket may have a Z-shaped cross-section.

[0014] In some embodiments, the foot is secured to the base plate by means of fasteners passing through the foot and the base plate. The bracket can be replaced from the base simply by removing the fasteners securing the foot to the base plate. The fasteners detailed herein may be blind rivets.

[0015] In some embodiments, the bracket includes a latch that is secured to a top plate. The latch can secure the head to the top plate. The latch can be secured to the top plate by fasteners passing through the latch and the top plate. The latch can define a receiving portion for receiving the bracket head to secure the bracket head to the top plate.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the bracket defines a portion of a channel through the base, the channel being configured to receive forklift forks passing through it. The bracket may be oriented to deflect the forklift forks into alignment with the channel upon impact with the forklift forks. The bracket may include a head secured to a top plate by a latch. The latch may be configured to secure the head upon impact with the forklift forks.

[0017] In another embodiment of this disclosure, the base for a cargo container includes a bottom plate, a top plate, vertical plates, and a support. The vertical plates connect the top plate and the bottom plate to each other. The support extends between the top plate and the bottom plate and is configured to maintain a distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support includes feet, a head, and a body connecting the feet and the head to each other. The feet are fixed to the bottom plate, and the head is receptively fixed to the top plate.

[0018] In several embodiments, the bracket further includes a latch fixed to a top plate. The latch may define a receiving portion together with the top plate that receives the head to secure it to the top plate. The latch may include a first layer fixed to the top plate and a second layer extending from the first layer to define the receiving portion together with the top plate. The thickness of the first layer is substantially equal to the thickness of the head. When the head is received in the receiving portion, the head is movable relative to the top plate. The bracket may have a Z-shaped cross-section.

[0019] In another embodiment of this disclosure, the base for a cargo container includes a bottom plate, a top plate, vertical plates, and a support. The top plate has an inaccessible top surface facing away from the bottom plate. The vertical plates connect the top plate and the bottom plate to each other. The support extends between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support is configured to maintain a distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support is replaceable.

[0020] In several embodiments, the bracket includes feet, a head, and a body connecting the feet and the head to each other. The feet are fixed to a bottom plate, and the head is fixed to a top plate. The feet can be secured to the bottom plate by fasteners passing through the feet and the bottom plate.

[0021] In some embodiments, the bracket includes a latch secured to a top plate. The latch secures the head to the top plate. The latch may define a receiving portion that receives the bracket head to secure the bracket head to the top plate. When the head is received in the receiving portion and the feet are secured to a bottom plate, the head can move relative to the top plate.

[0022] In several embodiments, the base disclosed herein may include a plurality of additional supports extending between a top plate and a bottom plate. These additional supports are configured to maintain the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. Each of these additional supports may be replaced from the base without accessing the top surface of the top plate.

[0023] In another embodiment of this disclosure, the cargo container includes a base as detailed herein, a rear wall fixed to the base, an opening opposite the rear wall, side walls fixed to the base and opposite to each other, and a top wall fixed to the rear wall and side walls and opposite to the base. The side walls may extend from the rear wall toward the opening. The cargo container may include closures fixed to one or both side walls to seal the opening.

[0024] In another embodiment of this disclosure, a method for repairing the base of a cargo container includes identifying a damaged support of the base extending between a top plate and a bottom plate. The method also includes releasing the damaged support from the base without approaching the top surface of the top plate. Furthermore, the method includes securing a new support to the base without approaching the top surface of the top plate.

[0025] In several embodiments, releasing the damaged bracket includes removing fasteners securing the feet of the damaged bracket to a bottom plate of the base. Releasing the damaged bracket may include sliding the head of the damaged bracket out of a latch securing the head of the damaged bracket to a top plate of the base. Removing the fasteners securing the feet of the damaged bracket to the base may include approaching the bottom surface of the bottom plate to remove the fasteners.

[0026] In some embodiments, securing the new bracket to the base includes sliding the head of the new bracket into a latch that secures the head of the new bracket to the top plate of the base. Securing the new bracket to the base includes securing the feet of the new bracket to the bottom plate of the base using fasteners that extend through the bottom plate of the base and the feet of the new bracket.

[0027] In another embodiment of this disclosure, a method for repairing the base of a cargo container includes identifying a damaged support of the base extending between a top plate and a bottom plate of the base. The method also includes releasing the damaged support from the base without accessing the interior of the cargo container. Furthermore, the method includes securing a new support to the base without accessing the interior of the cargo container.

[0028] In several embodiments, releasing the damaged bracket includes removing fasteners securing the feet of the damaged bracket to a bottom plate of the base. Releasing the damaged bracket may include sliding the head of the damaged bracket out of a latch securing the head of the damaged bracket to a top plate of the base. Removing the fasteners securing the feet of the damaged bracket to the base may include approaching the bottom surface of the bottom plate to remove the fasteners.

[0029] In some embodiments, securing the new bracket to the base includes sliding the head of the new bracket into a latch that secures the head of the new bracket to the top plate of the base. Securing the new bracket to the base includes securing the feet of the new bracket to the bottom plate of the base using fasteners that extend through the bottom plate of the base and the feet of the new bracket.

[0030] Furthermore, to the extent of consistency, any of the embodiments or aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all other embodiments or aspects described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Various aspects of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cargo container provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the base of a cargo container;

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A 3D view of the base, in which the top plate has been removed;

[0035] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The front perspective view of the base shows the passage through which the forklift forks pass;

[0036] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A 3D view of the base, illustrating the contact path between the forklift forks and the support bracket;

[0037] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of the base;

[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 3 A top view of the base, illustrating the impact direction of the support bracket;

[0039] Figure 8 A side view of the support bracket provided in accordance with this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for replacing a support bracket according to the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 10 for Figure 3 A 3D view of the base identified the damaged bracket to be removed;

[0042] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A bottom view of the base;

[0043] Figure 12 for Figure 10 A 3D view of the base; the damaged bracket is ready to be removed.

[0044] Figure 13 for Figure 10 A 3D view of the base, showing that the damaged bracket has been removed;

[0045] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A 3D view of the base, with the replacement bracket positioned within the base;

[0046] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A bottom view of the base. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments thereof, wherein similar reference numerals denote the same or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These exemplary embodiments are described so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect may be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any suitable combination. For example, any individual or collective feature of a method aspect or embodiment may be applied to an apparatus, product, or component aspect or embodiment, and vice versa. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to enable the disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” etc., include plural indicators unless expressly specified in the context. Furthermore, although quantitative measurements, values, geometric relationships, etc., may be referred to herein, any one or more of these (if not all) may be absolute or approximate unless otherwise stated, to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as variations due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances.

[0048] As used in the specification and appended claims, the phrase "Unit Loading Device" (ULD) or "Air Cargo Container" is defined as a container used for loading baggage, cargo, mail, etc., onto an aircraft, including wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. While the container described herein refers to a ULD used with an aircraft, it is contemplated that cargo containers including removable supports can be used with other transport vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, ships, or trains, so that the description of use with an aircraft should not be considered a limitation.

[0049] For reference Figure 1 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an air cargo container is provided, and is generally referred to as cargo container 10. Cargo container 10 includes a base 20, side walls 30, a rear wall 40, a door 50, and a top wall 60, which are fixed to each other and cooperate to define an interior 70 of cargo container 10. As shown, the top surface 222 of the top panel 220 of the base 20 is accessible from the interior 70 of cargo container 10. Cargo container 10 may include additional structures and / or insulation to prevent access to the top surface 222 of the top panel 220. For example, cargo container 10 may include active cooling / heating equipment, insulation, shelves, or other structures to prevent access to the top surface 222. Furthermore, when cargo container 10 is loaded, the top surface 222 of the top panel 220 may be inaccessible because cargo partially obscures the top surface 222.

[0050] Container 10 may be designed to hold 3,500 pounds with a vertical safety factor of 5, therefore base 20 may be designed to safely hold 17,500 pounds. Other forces may require base 20 to withstand 9,800 pounds in one or more other directions. The high load-bearing capacity and design strength of base 20 may be critical for container 10. Furthermore, air cargo containers are transported to and from airports by forklifts (such as standard forklifts), which engage and lift base 20 of container 10 to lift and move container 10. Commonly, base 20 and other parts of air cargo container 10 are damaged due to unpredictable driving practices, including but not limited to falling, collisions with other air cargo containers, punctures by forklift forks, tipping or overturning, and collisions with forklifts or other parts of other vehicles. When an air cargo container is damaged, it may become unseaworthy and require repair to restore its seaworthiness.

[0051] The side walls 30, rear walls 40, doors 50, and top walls 60 can have various configurations. Although the side walls 30, rear walls 40, doors 50, and top walls 60 are shown as rigid structures, one or more of them can be flexible. For example, door 50 can be a fabric door that selectively closes or seals the opening 52 of the cargo container 10.

[0052] Additional reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The base 20 is described in detail according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The base 20 includes a top plate 220, a bottom plate 230, and vertical plates 242, 244, 246, and 248 extending between the top plate 220 and the bottom plate 230. The vertical plates include a front vertical plate 242, a rear vertical plate 244, and side vertical plates 246 and 248. At least the front vertical plate 242 and the rear vertical plate 244 define holes 243 and 245 that provide passage for forklift forks through the base 20 and allow the base 20 and the cargo container 10 to be lifted by a forklift or other lifting equipment. In some embodiments, the side vertical plates 246 and 248 further include holes 247 and 249 that provide passage for forklift forks through the base 20 and allow the base 20 and the cargo container 10 to be lifted by a forklift or other lifting equipment. Holes 243, 245, 247, and 249 may include impact plates 241 on the sides of holes 243, 245, 247, and 249 to protect the sides of holes 243, 245, 247, and 249. Impact plates 241 may surround the sides of the respective vertical plates 242, 244, 246, and 248 and be positioned on the outer and inner surfaces of the respective vertical plates 242, 244, 246, and 248. Vertical plates 242, 244, 246, and 248 may include a top flange 252 and / or a bottom flange 254 to connect to a top plate 220 or a bottom plate 230, respectively. Vertical plates 242, 244, 246, and 248 may be welded, riveted, and / or fastened to the top plate 220 and / or the bottom plate 230, respectively.

[0053] The base 20 includes a plurality of supports 270 disposed between the top plate 220 and the bottom plate 230. The supports 270 are fixed to the top plate 220 and the bottom plate 230 to provide compressive strength to the base 20, for example, resisting forces downward from the top plate 220 toward the bottom plate 230. The supports 270 also provide shear strength to the base 20, preventing the top plate 220 from sliding relative to the bottom plate 230 in a direction parallel to the plane of the top plate 220 and the bottom plate 230.

[0054] For reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 A bracket 270 is arranged and oriented between a top plate 220 and a bottom plate 230 to allow forklift forks to pass through the base 20. For example, holes 243 and 245 and the bracket 270 define a first channel 253 and a second channel 255, which extend through the base 20 perpendicular to vertical plates 242 and 244. Holes 247 and 249 and the bracket 270 define a third channel 257 and a fourth channel 259, which extend through the base 20 perpendicular to vertical plates 246 and 248.

[0055] The bracket 270 is oriented to deflect impacts from the forklift forks, guiding the forklift forks into the corresponding channels 253, 255, 257, and 259. It should be understood that when the forklift engages with the base 20, the forklift is rarely aligned with the base 20 so that the forklift forks will pass through the channels of the base without contacting one of the brackets 270. Thus, the bracket 270 is oriented such that when the forklift forks enter the corresponding holes in the base, the forks will impact one or more brackets 270. When the forks impact a bracket 270, the bracket deflects the forks so that they are guided toward the channel, or rotates the base 20 so that the forks are guided into the corresponding channel. The orientation of the bracket 270 can deflect a large force from the forklift forks, allowing the bracket 270 to withstand multiple impacts from the forklift forks. However, sometimes the force of the forklift impacting the bracket 270 may damage or destroy the bracket 270.

[0056] refer to Figure 7 The bracket 270 is oriented such that it can be impacted by the fork teeth of a forklift on its surface, causing the surface to guide the fork teeth toward the corresponding channel. The fork teeth pass through subsequent brackets 270, which guide fork teeth entering from opposing holes into their respective channels. This orientation of the bracket 270 reduces potential damage to the bracket upon impact by fork teeth and / or prevents fork teeth from impacting another bracket among the brackets 270.

[0057] For example, when the fork tines enter the channel 253 through opening 243, they will pass through supports 270a and 270e. If the fork tines are not aligned with the channel 253, they may impact the face of support 270b or 270f. Upon impact with the face of the corresponding support 270b, 270f, the orientation of supports 270b, 270f guides the fork tines to align with the channel 253 and toward the opening 243 in the opposing vertical plate. Furthermore, supports 270b, 270f can be oriented to minimize the impact force absorbed by supports 270b, 270f. As the fork tines pass through supports 270b, 270f, they will also pass smoothly through supports 270c, 270g. The fork tines may contact supports 270d, 270h before leaving through opening 243, which guides the fork tines toward another opening 243.

[0058] For reference Figure 8The construction of a support 270 is described according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The support 270 includes a foot 272, a vertical body 274, and a head 276. The foot 272 is substantially perpendicular to the body 274 and extends in a first direction away from the body 274. The head 276 is substantially perpendicular to the body 274 and extends in a second direction away from the body 274, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, such that the support 270 has a Z-shaped profile. In several embodiments, the first and second directions may be the same, such that the support 270 has a C-shaped profile. The support 270 may be formed from a single sheet of material folded or bent into a Z-shaped profile or other profiles. In several embodiments, the foot 272 and / or the head 276 may extend from the body 274 at an angle different from vertical. For example, the feet 272 and / or the head 276 may extend from the body 274 at angles ranging from 30 to 90 degrees, such as 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees. Extending the feet 272 and / or the head 276 at a non-perpendicular angle allows the support 270 to withstand additional shear forces compared to a vertical angle.

[0059] The foot 272 of the bracket 270 is secured to the base plate 230 by one or more rivets 273. In some embodiments, the foot 272 is secured to the base plate 230 by one or more fasteners 273, such as rivets, screws, bolts, etc. As described in detail below, the fastener 273 may be a rivet 273, which secures the foot 272 to the base plate 230 such that the foot 272 can be removed by drilling through the rivet 273. The rivet 273 may be a blind rivet, such that the rivet 273 does not extend above the top surface 222 of the top plate 220 and / or the bottom surface 232 of the base plate 230.

[0060] The head 276 is movably secured or held to the top plate 220 by means of a latch 280. The latch 280 has a first layer 282 and a retainer 284. The first layer 282 is secured to the top plate 220 by one or more rivets 273. The rivets 273 can secure the latch 280 to the top plate 220. In several embodiments, the latch 280 is secured to the top plate 220 by one or more fasteners. The latch 280 is positioned such that the retainer 284, together with the top plate 220, defines a receiving portion 286. The first layer 282 and the receiving portion 286 may be shaped such that the shape of the receiving portion 286 is complementary to that of the head 276. For example, the head 276 may include a beveled surface 277 that mates with a beveled surface 287 of the receiving portion 286. The cooperation of the beveled surfaces 277, 287 can improve the fixation of the head 276 in the receiving portion 286. When the body 274 of the bracket 270 is impacted, the low profile of the latch 280 prevents damage to the latch 280. In several embodiments, the thickness of the first layer 282 of the latch 280 is substantially equal to the thickness of the head 276 of the bracket 270, such that the receiving portion 286 can receive and release the head 276 of the bracket. The bracket 270 may be oriented within the base 20 such that when the body 274 is contacted or impacted from a predicted direction, as described above... Figure 7 As described in detail, the head 276 is guided into the latch 280, such that the latch 280 holds the head 276 and resists impact forces on the top of the bracket 270.

[0061] The construction of the bracket 270 allows for replacement without access to the top surface 222 of the top plate 220 of the base 20. Thus, the bracket 270 is replaceable without the need to remove insulation or other structures from the cargo container 10. In some embodiments, the bracket 270 can be replaced without unloading or opening the cargo container 10, thereby maintaining the integrity and / or temperature within the cargo container 10 during bracket replacement.

[0062] It should be understood that the support 270 can be constructed so as not to be damaged upon impact with the fork tines. However, since weight is very important for cargo containers, especially air cargo containers, it is preferable to provide a support that is robust for normal use and allows for replacement in case of damage for heavy-duty supports that may withstand greater impacts. The support 270 is designed such that the body 274 is designed as the failure point of the support 270, so that when the support 270 is damaged, the latch 280 is not damaged. The low profile of the latch 280 reduces the likelihood of the latch 280 being damaged when the body 274 is damaged.

[0063] For reference Figures 9 to 15 According to the method 1000 for replacing the damaged support 270 of the cargo container 10 as disclosed herein. First refer to Figure 10The damaged bracket 270 is identified within the base 20 (step 1010). For example, bracket 270f may be damaged by a forklift fork tooth that enters through opening 243 or opening 247 and impacts bracket 270f. It should be understood that method 1000 can be used to replace any bracket in bracket 270 of base 20.

[0064] Special Reference Figure 11 Upon identification of the damaged bracket 270, the base 20 is positioned to allow access to the bottom surface 232 of the base plate 230 (step 1020). To allow access to the bottom surface 232, the base 20 can be lifted, for example, by a forklift or other lifting tool, so that a technician can access the rivets 273 of the damaged bracket 270 through the bottom surface 232 of the base plate 230. In some embodiments, the base 20 may be positioned above a tunnel or recess, which allows a technician to stand below the base 20 with the base fully supported to access the bottom surface 232. Upon access to the bottom surface 232 of the base plate 230, the technician drills out the rivets 273 or removes the rivets 273 or other fasteners securing the feet 272 of the bracket 270 to the base plate 230 (step 1030). With the rivets 273 removed from the feet 272, the feet 272 of the bracket 270 are released or loosened from the base plate 230.

[0065] With the foot 272 detached from the bottom plate 230, the bracket 270 can be removed from the base 20 through the opening 243 or the opening 247, as follows: Figure 12 As shown in step 1040. The bracket 270 can be removed by reaching and grasping the body 274 of the bracket 270 through opening 243 or opening 247. Since the only rivets 273 or fasteners securing the bracket 270 to the base 20 are the rivets 273 in the bottom plate 230 and the feet 272, the bracket 270 is free once the rivets 273 in the bottom plate 230 and the feet 272 are removed. It may be necessary to drive the head 276 to remove the head 276 from the receiving part 286. Figure 8 For example, due to an impact to the body 274 of the bracket 270, the head 276 may become wedged or jammed into the latch 280. When the bracket 270 disengages from the latch 280, the bracket 270 can be pulled out or removed from the base 20 through the nearest opening (e.g., openings 243, 247). The bracket 270 can be rotated to pull the bracket 270 out through the opening.

[0066] When the old, damaged bracket 270 is removed through the opening, the latch 280 remains secured to the top plate 220 of the base 200, as... Figure 13 As shown in the diagram. With the damaged bracket 270 removed, a new bracket 270' passes through the opening and is positioned within the base 200, as... Figure 14As shown in step 1050. To position the new bracket 270' in the base 200, the head 276' of the new bracket 270' is positioned within the receiving portion 286 of the latch 280, and the foot 272' of the new bracket 270' is positioned such that the hole in the foot 272' aligns with the hole in the bottom plate 230 of the base 200, allowing the foot 272' to be secured to the bottom plate 230. With the new bracket 270' positioned in the base 200, the foot 272' of the new bracket 270' is secured to the bottom plate 230, as shown in step 1050. Figure 15 As shown in step 1060. For example, foot 272' can be secured to the bottom plate 230 by means of blind rivets passing through holes in the bottom plate 230 and in foot 272'. The use of blind rivets allows foot 272' to be secured without any portion of the rivet extending below the bottom surface 232 of the bottom plate 230. In some embodiments, other types of fasteners can be used to secure foot 272' to the bottom plate 230.

[0067] The method 1000 detailed above can be performed solely by approaching the bottom plate 230 of the base 200. More specifically, method 1000 can be performed without approaching the top surface 222 of the top plate 220. By allowing the bracket 270 to be replaced only from the bottom plate 230, the bracket 270 can be replaced without disassembling or opening the cargo container, allowing the cargo to remain inside the cargo container during replacement. In some embodiments, the support can be replaced without compromising the seal of the cargo container to maintain the integrity of the interior of the cargo container.

[0068] While several embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited thereto, as it is intended that the scope of the disclosure be as broad as permitted in the art, and the specification should be interpreted accordingly. Any combination of the above embodiments is also foreseeable and within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as examples of particular embodiments. Other modifications will be foreseen by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A base for a cargo container, the base comprising: Bottom plate; A top plate having a top surface facing away from the bottom plate; The latch is fixed to the top plate. A vertical plate that connects the top plate and the bottom plate to each other; as well as A support includes feet, a head, and a body connecting the feet and the head to each other. The feet are fixed to a bottom plate, the head is fixed to a top plate via a latch, and the body extends between the top plate and the bottom plate, maintaining a distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support can be replaced from the base without accessing the top surface of the top plate.

2. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The feet extend vertically from the body, and the head extends vertically from the body.

3. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The feet extend from the body in a first direction, and the head extends from the body in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The base according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a Z-shaped cross-section.

5. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The foot is secured to the bottom plate by fasteners that pass through the foot and the bottom plate.

6. The base according to claim 5, wherein, The bracket can be replaced from the base simply by removing the fasteners.

7. The base according to claim 5, wherein, The fastener is a blind rivet.

8. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The latch is secured to the top plate by fasteners passing through the latch and the top plate.

9. The base according to claim 8, wherein, The fastener is a blind rivet.

10. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The latch defines a receiving portion that receives the head of the bracket to secure the head of the bracket to the top plate.

11. The base according to claim 1, wherein, The bracket defines a portion of a channel passing through the base, the channel being configured to receive the fork teeth of a forklift, the bracket being oriented to deflect the fork teeth into alignment with the channel upon impact with the fork teeth.

12. The base according to claim 11, wherein, The latch is configured to secure the head when the head is struck by the fork.

13. The base of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of additional supports extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, the plurality of additional supports being configured to maintain the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate, each of the plurality of additional supports being replaceable from the base without access to the top surface of the top plate.

14. A cargo container, said cargo container comprising: The base according to claim 1; Rear wall, which is fixedly connected to the base; An opening opposite the rear wall; Sidewalls, which are fixed to the base and opposite to each other, extend from the rear wall toward the opening; as well as The top wall is fixed to the rear wall and the side wall and is opposite to the base.

15. The cargo container of claim 14, further comprising a closure fixed to one or both of the sidewalls; the closure being configured to seal the opening.

16. A base for a cargo container, the base comprising: Bottom plate; Top panel; A latch is fixed to the top plate, the latch and the top plate together defining a receiving portion. A vertical plate that connects the top plate and the bottom plate to each other; as well as A support extending between a top plate and a bottom plate to maintain a distance between the top plate and the bottom plate, the support including feet, a head, and a body connecting the feet and the head to each other, the feet being fixed to the bottom plate, and the head being received in a receiving portion to secure the head to the top plate.

17. The base according to claim 16, wherein, The latch includes a first layer fixed to the top plate and a second layer extending from the first layer to define the receiving portion together with the top plate, the thickness of the first layer being substantially equal to the thickness of the head.

18. The base according to claim 16, wherein, When the head is received in the receiving part, the head is movable relative to the top plate.

19. The base according to claim 16, wherein, The support has a Z-shaped cross-section.

20. A cargo container, the cargo container comprising: The base according to claim 16; Rear wall, which is fixedly connected to the base; An opening opposite the rear wall; Sidewalls, which are fixed to the base and opposite to each other, extend from the rear wall toward the opening; as well as The top wall is fixed to the rear wall and the side wall and is opposite to the base.

21. A base for a cargo container, the base comprising: Bottom plate; A top plate having a top surface facing away from the bottom plate, the top surface of the top plate being inaccessible; The latch is fixed to the top plate. A vertical plate that connects the top plate and the bottom plate to each other; as well as A support includes feet, a head, and a body connecting the feet and the head to each other. The feet are fixed to a bottom plate, and the head is secured to a top plate via a latch. The body of the support extends between the top plate and the bottom plate to maintain the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The support is replaceable.

22. The base according to claim 21, wherein, The foot is secured to the bottom plate by means of fasteners passing through the foot and the bottom plate.

23. The base according to claim 21, wherein, The latch defines a receiving portion that receives the head of the bracket to secure the head of the bracket to the top plate.

24. The base according to claim 23, wherein, When the head is received in the receiving part, the head is movable relative to the top plate.

25. A cargo container, the cargo container comprising: The base according to claim 21; Rear wall, which is fixedly connected to the base; An opening opposite the rear wall; Sidewalls, which are fixed to the base and opposite to each other, extend from the rear wall toward the opening; as well as The top wall is fixed to the rear wall and the side wall and is opposite to the base.

26. A method for repairing the base of a cargo container, the method comprising: Identify the damaged support of the base extending between the top and bottom plates of the base; The damaged bracket is released from the base without approaching the top surface of the top plate of the base by removing the fasteners that secure the foot of the damaged bracket to the bottom plate of the base and sliding the head of the damaged bracket out of the latch that secures the head of the damaged bracket to the top plate of the base. as well as The new bracket is secured to the base by sliding the head of the new bracket into a latch that secures the head of the new bracket to the top plate of the base, and by securing the feet of the new bracket to the bottom plate of the base with fasteners that extend through the bottom plate of the base and the feet of the new bracket, without approaching the top surface of the top plate of the base.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, Removing the fasteners securing the feet of the damaged bracket to the base includes approaching the bottom surface of the bottom plate to remove the fasteners.

28. A method for repairing the base of a cargo container, the cargo container including a wall fixed to the base, the wall defining the interior of the cargo container, the method comprising: Identify the damaged support of the base extending between the top and bottom plates of the base; The damaged support is released from the base without approaching the interior of the cargo container by removing the fasteners securing the feet of the damaged support to the bottom plate of the base and sliding the head of the damaged support out of the latch securing the head of the damaged support to the top plate of the base. as well as The new bracket is secured to the base without approaching the interior of the cargo container by sliding the head of the new bracket into a latch that secures the head of the new bracket to the top plate of the base, and by securing the feet of the new bracket to the bottom plate of the base with fasteners that extend through the bottom plate of the base and the feet of the new bracket.

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