Folding corner post and container

Abstract

The utility model provides a folding corner post and a container. The folding corner post comprises a body part, a supporting part, a folding part, a driving assembly and a fixing piece. The supporting part is provided with a pivot shaft. The folding part is rotatably connected to the supporting part around a pivot shaft between a folding position and an unfolding position, and the folding part located at the unfolding position is located at the top end of the body part. The driving assembly is suitable for driving the pivot shaft to rotate. And the fixing piece can relatively fix the body part and the folding part. Due to the design of the folding corner posts, the container can flexibly meet the hoisting requirements of goods with different heights. The stable connection between the body part and the side beams, the stable connection between the supporting part and the body part and the relative fixation between the folding part and the body part through the fixing pieces when the folding part is at the unfolding position jointly form a stable and reliable structural system, and the stability of hoisting operation is ensured. And through cooperative arrangement of the folding part, the supporting part and the driving assembly, the manual operation end of the folding corner column can be arranged to a proper position, and a user does not need to climb to a high position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of container technology, and more specifically to a folding corner post and a container. Background Technology

[0002] When transporting goods in containers, the overall height of the cargo may exceed the limits set by the standard corner fittings of the container. Taking open-top containers carrying trucks as an example, when the height of the truck itself exceeds the upper edge height designed for the container, the spreader may be unable to complete the lifting operation due to the height of the cargo, or it may inevitably interfere with the cargo.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a folding corner post and container to at least partially solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model description section introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed description section. This utility model description section is not intended to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0005] To at least partially solve the above problems, the first aspect of this utility model provides a folding corner post for use in a container, comprising:

[0006] Body part;

[0007] A support portion is arranged side by side with the main body portion, and the support portion is provided with a pivot shaft;

[0008] A folding portion, which is rotatably connected to the support portion about the pivot axis between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein the folding portion in the unfolded position is located at the top of the body portion;

[0009] A drive assembly adapted to drive the pivot axis to rotate, causing the folded portion to rotate between the folded position and the unfolded position; and

[0010] A fastener is provided, which connects the body portion and the folded portion when the folded portion is in the unfolded position, so as to fix the body portion and the folded portion relative to each other.

[0011] According to the first aspect of this utility model, the folding corner post design allows the container to flexibly meet the lifting needs of goods of different heights without replacing or adjusting the container itself, thus improving the container's versatility and efficiency. The robust connections between the main body and side beams, and between the support and main body, as well as the relative fixation of the folding section to the main body via fasteners when in the unfolded position, together constitute a stable and reliable structural system, ensuring the stability of the corner post during lifting operations. The coordinated arrangement of the folding section, support section, and drive assembly allows the manual operation end of the folding corner post to be positioned appropriately, eliminating the need for operators to climb to a height for manual operation.

[0012] Optionally, the driving component includes:

[0013] A drive wheel, which can be driven to rotate by an external force;

[0014] A drive shaft, with a first gear and a second gear respectively provided at both ends of the drive shaft, the first gear meshing with the drive wheel;

[0015] The driven wheel is connected to the pivot shaft and meshes with the second gear.

[0016] Optionally, the pivot shaft is located at the top of the support, the drive shaft is connected to the support, and the drive shaft extends from the top of the support to the bottom of the support.

[0017] Optionally, the driving wheel, the first gear, the second gear, and the driven wheel are all constructed as bevel gears.

[0018] Optionally, the drive assembly further includes a rotary handle connected to the drive wheel, the rotary handle being driven to rotate by an external force to drive the drive wheel to rotate.

[0019] Optionally, the fastener is connected to the body part and is located on the movement path of the folding part. The fastener includes a rotating part and a connecting part. The rotating part has a circular cross-section, and the connecting part has a non-circular cross-section.

[0020] The main body is provided with a first rotating hole at one end that mates with the folding part, and the rotating part is rotatably connected to the first rotating hole so that the fixing member can rotate between the unlocked position and the locked position;

[0021] A second rotating hole is provided at one end of the folding part that abuts the main body part. The second rotating hole is not circular and is adapted to the shape of the connecting part.

[0022] The rotating part located in the unlocked position can be connected to the folding part through the second rotating hole;

[0023] When the folded portion is in the folded position and the fastener is in the locked position, the main body is fixed relative to the folded portion.

[0024] Optionally, the folding corner post is further provided with a steel wire rope, which is connected to the fixing member and can pull the fixing member to rotate.

[0025] Optionally, the top end of the support portion is not higher than the top end of the body portion; and / or

[0026] The pivot axis is not higher than the top of the body portion.

[0027] A second aspect of this utility model provides a container, comprising:

[0028] The aforementioned folding corner posts are disposed at the corners of the container body;

[0029] A side beam is connected to the body of the folded corner post, and the support portion is connected to the side beam.

[0030] The container according to the second aspect of this utility model has similar technical effects to the aforementioned folding corner posts.

[0031] Optionally, the driving component includes:

[0032] A drive shaft that passes through the side beam and extends below the side beam;

[0033] A drive wheel, which is connected to the side wall of the container and is located inside the container body;

[0034] A rotating handle is attached to the side wall of the container, and at least part of the rotating handle is located outside the container body, specifically in the lower half of the container body. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The following drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention, are incorporated herein as part of the present invention for understanding the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions, serving to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings,

[0036] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the folding corner column of the present invention. The folding part is located in the unfolded position, and the main body, support part and folding part are partially cross-sectionally viewed.

[0037] Figure 2This is a front view schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the folding corner column of the present invention, in which the folding part is located at the folding position;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the folded corner column of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the diagram;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the folded corner prism of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part B in the diagram;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the folded corner prism of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the folding corner column of the present invention; the folded part is in the unfolded position in the figure.

[0044] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a fixing component for a folding corner post according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a container according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0048] 10: Side beam

[0049] 20: Sidewall

[0050] 100: Body part

[0051] 200: Support section

[0052] 210: Pivot axis

[0053] 300: Folding section

[0054] 400: Driver Component

[0055] 410: Drive wheel

[0056] 420: Drive shaft

[0057] 421: First Gear

[0058] 422: Second Gear

[0059] 430: Driven wheel

[0060] 440: Rotary handle

[0061] 450: Bracket

[0062] 500: Fastener

[0063] 510: Rotating part

[0064] 520: Connecting part

[0065] 530: Connector

[0066] 540: Steel wire rope Detailed Implementation

[0067] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid confusion with embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] In this document, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in this invention are merely identifiers and do not have any other meaning, such as a specific order. Moreover, for example, the term "first component" does not imply the existence of "second component," and the term "second component" does not imply the existence of "first component."

[0069] In this article, terms such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate the relative positional relationship between related parts, rather than to define the absolute position of these related parts.

[0070] In this document, terms such as “equal” and “same” are not strict mathematical and / or geometric limitations, but also include errors that are understandable to those skilled in the art and permissible in manufacturing or use.

[0071] Unless otherwise stated, the numerical ranges in this document include not only the entire range within its two endpoints, but also the subranges contained therein.

[0072] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is thorough and complete, and that the concept of these exemplary embodiments is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0073] When transporting goods in containers, the overall height of the cargo may exceed the limits set by the standard corner fittings of the container. Taking open-top containers carrying trucks as an example, when the height of the truck itself exceeds the upper edge height designed for the container, the spreader may be unable to complete the lifting operation due to the height of the cargo, or it may inevitably interfere with the cargo.

[0074] One existing solution is to design the corner posts as structures with variable dimensions in the height direction, such as foldable structures. During transportation, the corner posts are folded, increasing transport capacity while meeting transport requirements. For example, when passing through railway tunnels, the folded corner posts are lower than the tunnel's roof wall, avoiding interference with the tunnel. During hoisting operations, the corner posts are unfolded to exceed the height of the cargo, facilitating lifting. However, the folding operation of the corner posts is done manually, and the folded portion is generally located at a high position, making manual operation difficult.

[0075] The containers provided in this solution, such as Figures 10-11 As shown, folding corner posts are provided at the four corners of the container body. The container also includes side beams 10 and side walls 20.

[0076] Reference Figures 1-9The folding corner post includes a body 100, a support 200, a folding section 300, a drive assembly 400, and a fixing member 500. The body 100 is connected to the end of the side beam 10. The support 200 is arranged side-by-side with the body 100 and is connected to the top of the side beam 10. The support 200 is provided with a rotation shaft. The folding section 300 is rotatably connected to the support 200 about a pivot axis 210 between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the unfolded position, the folding section 300 is located at the top of the body 100. The length of the folding section 300 in the unfolded position can accommodate lifting requirements. The drive assembly 400 is adapted to drive the pivot axis 210 to rotate, causing the folding section 300 to rotate between the folded and unfolded positions. With the drive assembly 400, operators can operate the folding section 300 from the ground or within a safe area using electric, hydraulic, or mechanical drive methods, greatly reducing operational difficulty and safety risks. When the folding part 300 is in the unfolded position, the fastener 500 is connected to the main body 100 and the folding part 300 to fix the main body 100 and the folding part 300 relative to each other, thereby ensuring the stability of the corner column during hoisting operations.

[0077] In this design, the folding corner post allows the container to flexibly handle the lifting needs of goods of different heights without requiring replacement or adjustment of the container itself, thus improving its versatility and efficiency. The robust connections between the main body 100 and the side beams 10, and between the support 200 and the main body 100, along with the relative fixation of the folding section 300 to the main body 100 via the fasteners 500 when in the unfolded position, together constitute a stable and reliable structural system, ensuring the stability of the corner post during lifting operations. The coordinated arrangement of the folding section 300, the support 200, and the drive assembly 400 allows the manual operation end of the folding corner post to be positioned appropriately, eliminating the need for operators to climb to a height for manual operation.

[0078] In this invention, the body portion 100 functions as a typical corner post. The body portion 100 can be connected to the side beams 10 and side walls 20. The body portion is securely connected to the side beams 10 and side walls 20 of the container via high-strength welding, bolting, or other reliable connection methods. The body portion 100 can also be fitted with end walls and door end assemblies.

[0079] In some embodiments of this invention, the support portion 200 is constructed as a hollow columnar structure. The support portion 200 extends in the same direction as the main body portion 100, both extending along the height direction of the container. The support portion 200 is connected to the top of the side beam 10. Optionally, the support portion 200 is also connected to the main body portion 100 via connecting members to further enhance the overall strength of the folding corner post. During hoisting, because the support portion 200 is connected between the main body portion 100 and the side beam 10, the support portion 200 can bear and transfer part of the load to the side beam 10 and other structural parts of the container, thereby reducing the burden on the corner post and ensuring the safety and reliability of the entire container.

[0080] The support portion 200 provides direct support to the folding portion 300, resulting in more even force distribution during unfolding and folding, ensuring a smooth connection between the folding portion 300 and the main body portion 100. The support portion 200 separates the folding portion 300 from the main body portion 100. When folded, the folding portion 300 has no direct connection to the main body portion 100. Furthermore, the folding portion 300 can rotate stably to the top of the main body portion 100, positioning it in the unfolded position. During folding or unfolding, the folding portion 300 avoids direct friction and collision with the main body portion 100, reducing the risk of wear and damage and ensuring the safety of the container.

[0081] The support portion 200 also provides more space and flexibility for the operation of the folding portion 300. For example, by adjusting the distance between the support portion 200 and the main body portion 100, the rotation range of the folding portion 300 can be adjusted, thereby improving the overall space utilization of the folding corner post. In some embodiments, the drive assembly 400 may be disposed within the support portion 200, which provides an installation location for the drive assembly 400.

[0082] Optionally, the top of the support portion 200 is not higher than the main body portion 100. When the folding portion 300 is in the folded position, the arrangement of the support portion 200 will not affect the normal function of the main body portion 100.

[0083] Optionally, the support portion 200 is provided with a shaft hole or bearing seat that matches the pivot shaft 210. One end of the pivot shaft 210 is inserted into the shaft hole or bearing seat. The pivot shaft 210 is rotatably connected to the support portion 200 and fixedly connected to the folding portion 300. The pivot shaft 210 is located at the top of the support portion 200, thereby enabling better connection with the folding portion 300. The pivot shaft 210 is not higher than the top of the main body portion 100. The placement of the pivot shaft 210 does not affect the normal function of the main body portion 100.

[0084] In some embodiments of this utility model, the drive assembly 400 includes a driving wheel 410, a transmission shaft 420, and a driven wheel 430. The driving wheel 410 can be driven to rotate by an external force. A first gear 421 and a second gear 422 are respectively provided at both ends of the transmission shaft 420, with the first gear 421 meshing with the driving wheel 410. The driven wheel 430 is connected to the pivot shaft 210 and meshes with the second gear 422. In this solution, the stability and reliability of the transmission process are ensured through the mechanical meshing transmission assembly. The drive assembly 400 has high transmission efficiency, thereby ensuring that the folding corner column can be smoothly folded and unfolded.

[0085] Optionally, the drive shaft 420 is configured as a rod-shaped structure. The material and structural design of the drive shaft 420 must meet sufficient strength and rigidity requirements to withstand the torque and bending moment during transmission. The driven wheel 430, as the power output end, directly applies the power transmitted by the drive shaft 420 to the pivot shaft 210, driving the folding and unfolding of the folding corner column. The driven wheel 430, through its meshing connection with the second gear 422, ensures accurate power transmission and reduces transmission errors.

[0086] In this design, the pivot shaft 210 is located at the top of the support portion 200, and the drive shaft 420 is connected to the support portion 200, extending from the top of the support portion 200 to its lower part. The drive shaft 420 allows power to be transmitted from one position to another, enabling remote drive of the folding corner column. Optionally, the drive shaft 420 extends to the lower half of the housing for easier manual operation.

[0087] Optionally, the driving wheel 410, the first gear 421, the second gear 422, and the driven wheel 430 are all constructed as bevel gears. The bevel gear configuration allows for complex transmission layouts within a smaller space, improving the compactness and space utilization of the folding column.

[0088] Optionally, the drive wheel 410 and the first gear 421 are connected to the inner side of the side wall 20 via a bracket 450, thereby improving the connection strength between the drive assembly 400 and the housing.

[0089] Based on the above embodiments, the drive wheel 410 can be driven by a power source.

[0090] In some embodiments of this invention, the drive assembly 400 further includes a rotary handle 440 connected to the drive wheel 410. The rotary handle 440 can be driven to rotate by an external force, thereby driving the drive wheel 410 to rotate. The design of the rotary handle 440 allows users to drive the drive wheel 410 by directly rotating the handle 440, thus realizing the folding and unfolding of the folding column. This method does not require an additional power source, such as a motor or hydraulic device, and is therefore particularly convenient in situations where there is no power supply or where quick manual operation is required.

[0091] In some embodiments of this invention, the fastener 500 is connected to the main body 100, and the fastener 500 is located on the movement path of the folding portion 300. The fastener 500 can act on the folding portion 300.

[0092] Reference Figure 9 The fixing member 500 includes a rotating part 510 and a connecting part 520. The rotating part 510 has a circular cross-section, while the connecting part 520 has a non-circular cross-section. The rotating part 510, with its circular cross-section, is rotatably connected to the main body 100 to change the relative position of the non-circular connecting part 520, the folding part 300, and the main body 100.

[0093] Optionally, the fastener 500 further includes a snap-fit ​​portion 530. The snap-fit ​​portion 530 prevents the rotating portion 510 from moving relative to the main body 100 along the axial direction of the rotating portion 510. Optionally, the snap-fit ​​portion 530 is constructed as two plates spaced apart along the axial direction of the rotating portion 510, and the cross-section of the snap-fit ​​portion 530 is non-circular.

[0094] Specifically, a first pivot hole is provided at the end of the main body 100 that mates with the folding part 300. The rotating part 510 is rotatably connected to the first pivot hole so that the fixing member 500 can rotate between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0095] A second pivot hole is provided at the end of the folding portion 300 that mates with the main body portion 100. The second pivot hole is not circular and its shape is adapted to that of the connecting portion 520. This adaptation ensures that the fixing member 500 can be precisely aligned and inserted into the second pivot hole when the folding portion 300 mates with the main body portion 100. When the fixing member 500 is rotated, a portion of the connecting portion 520 is misaligned with the second pivot hole, thereby restricting relative movement between the folding portion 300 and the main body portion 100. Figure 8 In the middle section, 500a is the fastener 500 in the locked position, and 500b is the fastener 500 in the unlocked position.

[0096] When the fixing member 500 is in the unlocked position, the fixing member 500 and the folding part 300 remain in a relatively free state, that is, the folding part 300 can rotate to a certain extent relative to the main body 100. Specifically, the connecting part 520 can be freely inserted into the second rotating hole, so that the folding part 300 can be folded or unfolded relative to the main body 100. Rotating the fixing member 500 will lock the folding part.

[0097] When the fastener 500 is in the locked position and the folded portion 300 is in the unfolded position, the connecting portion 520 extends into the interior of the folded portion 300 through the second pivot hole, and the connecting portion 520 is partially offset from the second pivot hole. That is, the connecting portion 520 is tightly inserted into the second pivot hole, and the main body 100 and the folded portion 300 are relatively fixed, thereby ensuring a stable connection between the folded portion 300 and the main body 100 and restricting their relative movement.

[0098] Understandably, when the fastener 500 is in the locked position, during the process of the folding part 300 moving from the folded position to the unfolded position, the fastener 500 will interfere with the movement of the folding part 300, and the connecting part 520 will not be stuck into the second pivot hole.

[0099] By setting the fastener 500, not only can the folding part 300 be unlocked and locked, but when the folding part 300 is locked to the main body 100, the fastener 500 has a high connection strength with both, thereby ensuring the lifting strength.

[0100] In some embodiments of this utility model, the folding corner post is further provided with a steel wire rope 540, which is connected to the fixing member 500 and can pull the fixing member 500 to rotate. Optionally, the steel wire rope 540 extends from the inside of the container to a position that is easy to operate, such as from the inside of the main body 100, the inside of the support part 200, or the inner wall of the container to the lower half of the container. The steel wire rope 540 has a certain degree of flexibility, which can adapt to the shape of the parts it passes through, and can transmit force over a certain distance, so that the user can control the rotation of the fixing member 500 by pulling the steel wire rope 540 from a position away from the folding corner post, thereby realizing the folding and unfolding of the folding corner post.

[0101] Optionally, the steel wire rope 540 can pull the fixing part 500 to rotate 90 degrees, thereby unlocking or locking.

[0102] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Terms such as “set” appearing herein can refer to either a component being directly attached to another component or a component being attached to another component via an intermediary. A feature described in one embodiment may be applied, alone or in combination with other features, to another embodiment, unless that feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or is otherwise stated.

[0103] This utility model has been described through the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this utility model to the described embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this utility model, and all such variations and modifications fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A folding corner post for use in a container, characterized in that, include: Body part; A support portion is arranged side by side with the main body portion, and the support portion is provided with a pivot shaft; A folding portion, which is rotatably connected to the support portion about the pivot axis between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein the folding portion in the unfolded position is located at the top of the body portion; A drive assembly adapted to drive the pivot axis to rotate, so that the folding portion rotates between the folded position and the unfolded position; as well as A fastener is provided, which connects the body portion and the folded portion when the folded portion is in the unfolded position, so as to fix the body portion and the folded portion relative to each other.

2. The folded corner prism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes: A drive wheel, which can be driven to rotate by an external force; A drive shaft, with a first gear and a second gear respectively provided at both ends of the drive shaft, the first gear meshing with the drive wheel; The driven wheel is connected to the pivot shaft and meshes with the second gear.

3. The folded corner prism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pivot shaft is located at the top of the support, the drive shaft is connected to the support, and the drive shaft extends from the top of the support to the bottom of the support.

4. The folded corner prism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving wheel, the first gear, the second gear, and the driven wheel are all constructed as bevel gears.

5. The folded corner prism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive assembly also includes a rotary handle connected to the drive wheel. The rotary handle can be driven to rotate by an external force to drive the drive wheel to rotate.

6. The folded corner prism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener is connected to the main body and is located on the moving path of the folding part. The fastener includes a rotating part and a connecting part. The rotating part has a circular cross-section, and the connecting part has a non-circular cross-section. The main body is provided with a first rotating hole at one end that mates with the folding part, and the rotating part is rotatably connected to the first rotating hole so that the fixing member can rotate between the unlocked position and the locked position; A second rotating hole is provided at one end of the folding part that abuts the main body part. The second rotating hole is not circular and is adapted to the shape of the connecting part. The rotating part located in the unlocked position can be connected to the folding part through the second rotating hole; When the folded portion is in the folded position and the fastener is in the locked position, the main body is fixed relative to the folded portion.

7. The folded corner prism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The folding corner post is also equipped with a steel wire rope, which is connected to the fixing member and can pull the fixing member to rotate.

8. The folded corner prism according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The top of the support portion is not higher than the top of the main body portion; and / or The pivot axis is not higher than the top of the body portion.

9. A container, characterized in that, include: The folding corner post according to any one of claims 1-8 is disposed at the corner of the container body; A side beam is connected to the body of the folded corner post, and the support portion is connected to the side beam.

10. The container according to claim 9, characterized in that, The driving component includes: A drive shaft that passes through the side beam and extends below the side beam; A drive wheel, which is connected to the side wall of the container and is located inside the container body; A rotating handle is attached to the side wall of the container, and at least part of the rotating handle is located outside the container body, specifically in the lower half of the container body.

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