Embedded system for transporting goods

Abstract

The invention concerns a support and attachment base (10) of an on-board system for supporting an on-board system on a support surface and for attaching it to a locking system equipped with locking members. This base comprises a planar attachment face (12), a support wall (14) parallel to the attachment face (12), connecting elements (16) perpendicular to the attachment face (12) securing the support wall (14) and the attachment face (12), removable assembly elements (18) provided on the attachment face (12), and, through the support wall (14), a locking opening (20) for the insertion of the locking members into an inner housing (22) defined by the attachment face (12), the support wall (14) and the connecting elements (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an embedded system equipped with at least one foot.

[0002] Currently, urban goods deliveries are made by trucks or vans. Some delivery vehicles are equipped with a flatbed on which the goods rest directly. These goods, sometimes stored in small containers, can be secured with straps or even chained and padlocked. While access is easy, each item (or container) must be secured individually, which is time-consuming. Other delivery vehicles are equipped with a generally enclosed storage area. While access to the goods is more secure, it is generally less convenient. Furthermore, such vehicles are not always suitable for deliveries on narrow streets.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a system for securing and locking goods to a vehicle, particularly when placed in an on-board transport system, which is simple and secure.

[0004] Document DE 1761312 A1 describes an improved container structure comprising a container frame having tension means extending through corner posts of the container and pre-loaded to provide a compressive force on the post to prevent separation of the corner fitting from the corner post when the container is subjected to a tensile load such as during its lifting by means of a crane.

[0005] US patent 4,271,975 A describes a lightweight cargo container and a fitting for its construction. The fitting has a simple cross-sectional shape, allowing it to be manufactured inexpensively with lightweight materials while still enabling safe and easy assembly of the container panels.

[0006] Documents DE 20 2005 017 017 U1 and JP2007276877 A describe container corner structures.

[0007] There are locking systems used to secure heavy and bulky cargo containers used on ships, trains, and trucks, such as those conforming to ISO standards. Some of these systems are twist locks, such as the Twist Lock®, which locks after a 90° rotation. Other locking systems use a scissor mechanism, described, for example, in documents EP1937511B2 and EP2910421A2. These locking systems work with corner fittings integrated into the bottom wall of the containers; these fittings have an opening, allowing water and dirt to enter the container.Such an arrangement, which can therefore only be used for containers containing goods that are not or only slightly sensitive to water or dirt or that are protected, is therefore not suitable for containers containing bulk goods, for example containers with dimensions smaller than those meeting the ISO standard.

[0008] The invention aims to overcome at least in part these drawbacks by proposing an embedded system, in particular a container, as defined in claim 1, equipped with at least one support and fixing foot, the embedded system being able to be fixed to a locking system equipped with locking members.

[0009] According to the invention, the foot comprises: a flat fixing face intended to be fixed to a receiving face of the embedded system, a support wall extending parallel to the fixing face and intended to rest on the support surface or on a face of the locking system, connecting elements perpendicular to the fixing face joining the support wall and the fixing face, the fixing face, the support wall and the connecting elements defining an internal housing for receiving the locking members, this internal housing having a shape and dimensions sufficient to receive these locking members in the locked and unlocked position, removable assembly elements provided on said fixing face cooperating with the receiving face of the embedded system, and through the support wall, a locking opening for inserting the locking members into the internal housing,This opening has a shape and dimensions sufficient to allow the locking mechanisms to pass through.

[0010] This support and mounting foot can be detachably attached to an embedded system, allowing for easy replacement in case of wear. Furthermore, the locking opening through which the locking mechanisms pass is now integrated into the foot. This allows the receiving surface of the embedded system, such as a container, to be designed as a solid wall, enabling the embedded system to be watertight.

[0011] The foot according to the invention is adapted to cooperate with a locking system equipped with locking elements. In other words, the locking opening is adapted, namely, having a shape and dimensions sufficient to allow the locking elements to pass through, particularly in an insertion direction perpendicular to the foot's support wall, and also to lock the locking elements onto the support wall. Furthermore, the internal receiving housing is adapted, namely, having a shape and dimensions sufficient to receive these locking elements in both the locked and unlocked positions.

[0012] In particular, the foot according to the invention is specifically adapted to cooperate with a locking system whose locking members are movable between an open position, in which they can freely pass through the locking opening along an insertion direction perpendicular to the foot's support wall, and a closed position, in which they are locked relative to the opening, notably by exerting pressure against an internal surface of a portion of the foot's support wall surrounding the locking opening. The shape and dimensions of the internal receiving housing are then sufficient to accommodate the locking members in their open and closed positions. The locking opening itself has a shape and dimensions sufficient to allow both the passage of the locking members in their open position and their retention in their closed position.

[0013] Advantageously, the foot can have a shape, particularly an external parallelepiped shape, with the connecting elements forming at least some edges of the shape. The foot can thus be made relatively simply with little material.

[0014] According to the invention, the connecting elements form flat side walls, which are joined together. This limits access to the internal receiving housing, thus protecting the locking mechanisms received inside the foot via the locking opening.

[0015] In one variant, at least one side panel may have a through-hole providing access to the internal receiving housing. This can, in particular, allow for checking the position of the locking elements and / or accessing these locking elements when they are located inside the housing. The access hole may then have a shape and dimensions sufficient for the passage of a tool or an operator's fingers. Advantageously, such a hole may be located approximately in the center of the side panel.

[0016] Advantageously, the mounting surface can be open. This simplifies the construction of the leg and reduces the amount of material used in its manufacture, thus decreasing its weight. In particular, when the connecting elements are flat surfaces, the leg has a bowl-like shape.

[0017] According to the invention, the assembly elements comprise threaded bores with an axis perpendicular to the mounting face, opening at least onto said mounting face and formed within the connecting elements. The foot can then be fixed by screws to the receiving face of the embedded system. According to the invention, these threaded bores are made at the edges of the foot, at the intersection of the lateral walls of the connecting elements, the edges of the foot being able to be thickened for greater robustness.

[0018] Advantageously, the locking opening can have an oblong shape.

[0019] Advantageously, for greater robustness and reduced wear, the base can be made of metal, for example aluminum, or of an alloy, for example aluminum-based or steel. A base made of polymer material could, however, be considered.

[0020] Advantageously, the base can be made from a single piece.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support wall can be made of a different material than the material forming the rest of the foot. The rest of the foot can then be made in one piece, with the support wall being assembled to the connecting elements.

[0022] In another embodiment, the foot may comprise a plate attached to the support wall on the side opposite the fixing face, the plate having an opening opposite the opening in the support wall, said plate being made of a material different from the material forming the foot. The foot may then be made in one piece, the plate being assembled to the support wall of the foot.

[0023] In both embodiments, the material of the support wall, or plate respectively, can be chosen from a harder material, in particular one more resistant to friction and wear, than the material forming the rest of the foot, or the foot itself, and allowing for superior magnetic or capacitive sensing compared to the material forming the rest of the foot, or the foot itself. This material can be a metal or metal alloy, for example, steel, and the rest of the foot, or the foot itself, can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0024] The invention also relates to an embedded system, in particular a container, equipped with at least one support and fixing foot as previously described, each foot being fixed in a removable manner by its fixing face on a lower receiving face of the embedded system.

[0025] Advantageously, the embedded system can be equipped with two or more feet arranged in a predetermined pattern relative to each other. The feet can be pre-positioned relative to the mounting surface, for example using a template, before being attached to the embedded system. This ensures the correct relative positioning of the feet and proper attachment of the embedded system to a support surface with locking mechanisms positioned according to the same predetermined pattern.

[0026] The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying, non-limiting drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a support and fixing foot according to an embodiment, the figure 2 is a top view of the foot shown figure 1 , there figure 3 is a side view of the foot shown figure 1 , there figure 4 is a perspective view of a locking system in the open position that can be used to lock the foot shown figure 1 , there figure 5 is a side view of the same locking system in an open position, with the locking mechanisms inserted into the foot shown figure 1 , there figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 5 with the locking system in the closed position, the figure 7 is a perspective view of a container fitted with feet, the figure 8 is a side view of a support leg according to another embodiment, the figure 9 is a side view of a support foot according to yet another embodiment.

[0027] In this description, the terms upper and lower refer to a vertical direction, when the foot is mounted on an embedded system, in this case a container, which rests on a support surface. The vertical direction thus corresponds to the direction of gravity.

[0028] There figure 1 represents a 10 foot support and fixing of an embedded system, in particular a container, here made of metal.

[0029] The term "onboard system" refers to any type of load that can be mounted on or unloaded from the vehicle. An onboard system is typically a container with an enclosed housing, and this embodiment will be the primary focus of the description. However, the invention applies to any type of onboard system, for example, any equipment mounted on a structure or chassis, this structure or chassis being reversibly attached to the vehicle via the locking system according to the invention. In the remainder of the description, the example of a container will be used by default, it being understood that what is described can also be applied to another type of onboard system without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0030] Such a foot is intended to support the container 1 on a support surface 3, but also to secure the container 1 to a locking system 4 equipped with locking elements 5, 6. In other words, a container 1 equipped with feet 10 as shown figure 7 rests on a support surface such as a floor via its feet 10. When this same container is to be locked onto a support surface, for example a vehicle loading platform, each of its feet (or at least two feet) is locked to a locking system 4 provided for this purpose and itself fixed to the support surface 3.

[0031] As seen on the figures 1 à 3 , the foot 10 includes a fixing face 12, a support wall 14, connecting elements 16, assembly elements 18 and a locking opening 20.

[0032] The fixing face 12 is a flat face intended to be fixed to a lower receiving face 2 of a container 1.

[0033] The support wall 14 extends parallel to the fixing face 12. This support wall 14 is intended to rest directly on a support surface which may be part of the locking system 4 or which may be the floor.

[0034] The connecting elements 16 ensure the attachment of the fixing face 12 and the support wall 14. They extend perpendicularly to the fixing face 12 and therefore to the support wall 14. The fixing face 12, the support wall 14 and the connecting elements 16 thus define an internal housing 22 for the locking members 5, 6.

[0035] The assembly elements 18 are detachable assembly elements, provided on the fixing face 12 and intended to cooperate with the lower receiving face 2 of the container 1. They allow the foot to be assembled to the container in a reversible manner, in other words the foot can be detached from the container.

[0036] Finally, the locking opening 20 allows the locking members 5, 6 to be inserted into the internal receiving housing 22.

[0037] In the example, the connecting elements 16 form four flat lateral walls 161, 162, 163, 164, joined together. The foot 10 thus has a parallelepiped shape.

[0038] In addition, three of the side walls 161, 162, 163 each have a through opening 171, 172, 173 for access to the internal receiving housing 22.

[0039] In this example, the mounting face 12 is also an open face, meaning it lacks a solid wall. In other words, the foot 10 has a bowl-like shape. The mounting face 12 is thus delimited by the free edges of the side walls 161 to 164, opposite the support wall 14. These free edges define a plane and form the open mounting face 12.

[0040] The assembly elements 18 include threaded bores 181, 182, 183, 184 with axes perpendicular to and opening onto the mounting face 12. These bores are provided within the connecting elements 16. Here, the threaded bores are located at the edges of the foot 10, at the intersection of the side walls. For greater robustness, the junctions of these side walls can be thickened, as seen in the figures 1 et 2 .

[0041] Finally, in the example shown, the locking opening 20 has an oblong shape to accommodate the locking elements 5, 6 of the locking system 4. The shape and dimensions of the locking opening 20 are specifically adapted to accommodate the locking elements of the locking system shown in the figures 4 à 6 It should be noted that the shape and dimensions of the locking opening 20 could therefore be different depending on the arrangement of the locking system that the locking opening 20 must allow to pass through.

[0042] An example of a locking system 4 is shown on the figures 4à 6 This locking system 4 comprises a housing 40 having an upper face 41 designed to receive the support wall 14 of the foot 10 to be locked. This upper face 41 has a protrusion 42 protecting the locking elements 5, 6 in their open position. This protrusion 42 has a shape similar to an arch, the apex 43 of which has a pointed shape facilitating its insertion into the locking opening 20. In this example, the shape and dimensions of the locking opening 20 are thus sufficient to allow this protrusion 42 to pass through.It should be noted that the locking opening 20 can be made with a transverse play (in the plane of the support wall 14) of the order of 2 to 5 mm to facilitate the introduction of the protrusion 42 without affecting the quality of the clamping by the locking members 5, 6 insofar as these exert pressure on the support wall in the direction of the upper wall of the housing, as described below.

[0043] The locking members 5, 6 of the locking system 4 are movable between an open and unlocked position ( fig.4, 5 ) and a closed locking position ( fig.6 ).

[0044] In the open position, the locking members 5, 6, here two in number, can freely pass through the locking opening 20 along an insertion direction I perpendicular to the support wall 14 of the foot. It should be noted in particular that in this open position, the locking members 5, 6 do not protrude from the protrusion 42 of the housing 40. The protrusion 42 can thus be easily inserted into the receiving recess 22 of the foot via the locking opening 20. The locking members 5, 6 are then in a position of minimum horizontal separation (perpendicular to the insertion direction I) from each other. They are also in a position of maximum separation (along the insertion direction I) from the upper face 41 of the housing.

[0045] In the closed position, the locking members 5, 6 are locked relative to the locking opening 20, in particular hooked behind a portion of the support wall 14 of the foot surrounding the locking opening 20 ( fig.6 The locking members are then in a position of maximum horizontal separation from each other and in a position of minimum separation (vertically, along the insertion direction I) from the upper face 41 of the housing. The locking members 5, 6 can thus exert pressure on the support wall 14 of the foot in the direction of the upper face 41 of the housing 40.

[0046] The movement of the locking members 5, 6 between their open / closed positions can be achieved by means of a scissor-lock mechanism (not shown), in which two arms intersect at a pivot point of the type described in documents EP1937511B2 and EP2910421A2. The locking members 5, 6 then form the upper ends of these arms. The movement of these arms can optionally be motorized.

[0047] There figure 7 Figure 1 represents a container 1 whose lower receiving face 2 is equipped with four feet 10 as described previously. These feet 10 are arranged at the corners of the container according to a predetermined pattern, that is, at a specific distance from each other and in a specific arrangement relative to each other. In order to fix the individual feet in this specific position, a template can be used to position them before they are attached to the container. Simultaneous fixing of the four feet 10 can then be achieved. This fixing is accomplished, for example, by screwing screws into the corresponding bores of each foot through the bottom wall of the container, the outer face of which forms the receiving face 2 of the container. Alternatively, it would also be possible to drill holes in the bottom wall of the container at precise locations corresponding to the positions of the bores of the feet 10 to be fixed.The precise positioning of the 10 feet ensures that the container is locked to a support wall equipped with four locking systems positioned according to the same particular pattern.

[0048] The invention has been described with reference to a foot whose connecting elements form flat surfaces. However, smaller connecting elements similar to rods could be considered, located at or away from the edges, for example, distributed around the perimeter of the mounting face. The assembly elements could then be made on thickened rods, for example, those forming the edges of the foot when the latter has a polygonal shape, particularly a parallelepiped shape. In an undescribed embodiment, the mounting face of each foot could also be a solid surface.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention shown figure 8 The base of the foot, in which the locking opening 20 is formed, opposite the fixing face 12, includes a plate 24 made of a material different from that of the foot body. This plate 24 is thus applied against the support wall 14 so that it is the plate 24 that rests directly on a support surface and no longer the support wall 14 as in the embodiment shown figures 1-7 It is therefore possible to thin the support wall 14 insofar as it is no longer subject to friction with a support surface.

[0050] Considering a foot whose body is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, this plate 24 is preferably made of steel or a harder metal or metal alloy (more resistant to friction and / or wear) than the material forming the foot's body, and allowing for superior magnetic or capacitive detection compared to that of the foot's body material. The plate 24 thus forms a protective sole for the foot and enables automatic detection by a sensor that identifies the presence of the foot with the plate.

[0051] The plate 24 can be fixed to the support wall 14 by incorporating a central window 26 allowing access to the locking opening 20, as shown figure 8 .

[0052] In another embodiment of the invention shown figure 9, the plate 24 directly forms the support wall 14 with its locking opening 20 by being fixed directly to the connecting elements 16, the latter forming the side walls 161-164.

[0053] The fixing of the plate 24 is ensured for example by screwing several fixing screws into the support wall 14 or into the connecting elements 16. The screw heads can then be housed in counterbores formed in the thickness of the plate so as not to protrude from the surface of the plate 24 on the side where the foot is to rest on a support surface.

Claims

1. On-board system, in particular a container (1), equipped with at least one support and attachment base (10), said on-board system being adapted to be fixed to a locking system (4) equipped with locking members (5, 6), characterized in that the base (10) comprises : - a planar attachment face (12) attached to a reception face (2) of the on-board system, - a support wall (14) extending parallel to the attachment face (12) and intended to rest on the support surface (3) or on a face (41) of the locking system (4), - connecting elements (16) perpendicular to the attachment face (12) securing the support wall (14) and the attachment face (12), the attachment face (12), the support wall (14) and the connecting elements (16) defining an internal housing (22) for receiving the locking members (5, 6), this internal housing (22) having a sufficient form and dimensions for receiving these locking members in a locking and unlocking position, - removable assembly elements (18) provided on said attachment face (12) cooperating with the reception face (2) of the on-board system, and - through the support wall (14), a locking opening (20) for inserting the locking members (5, 6) in the internal housing (22), this opening having a sufficient form and dimensions for allowing the locking members to pass, characterized in that : connecting elements (16) of the base (10) form planar lateral walls (161, 162, 163, 164), the assembly elements (18) comprise threaded bores (181, 182, 183, 184) with their axis perpendicular to the attachment face (12), opening out at least into said attachment face (12) and provided inside the connecting elements (16), these threaded bores being situated on edges of the base, at the intersection of the lateral walls (161, 162, 163, 164), each base (10) is removably attached by its attachment face (12) to the reception face of the on-board system which is a bottom face (2).

2. On-Board system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the base (10) has a parallelepipedal form.

3. On-Board system (1) according to any of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one lateral wall (161, 162, 163) of the base (10) includes a through orifice (171, 172, 173) for access to the internal reception housing (22).

4. On-Board system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the attachment face (12) of the base (10) is an open face.

5. On-Board system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the locking opening of the base (10) has an oblong form.

6. On-Board system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it is made from metal.

7. On-Board system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the support wall (14) of the base (10) is produced from a material different from the material forming the rest of the base, optionally selected from a material harder than the material forming the rest of the base and affording magnetic or capacitive detection superior to that afforded by the material forming the rest of the base.

8. On-Board system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the base comprises a plate (24) secured to the support wall (14) on the side opposite to the attachment face (12), the plate (24) being pierced by an opening opposite the opening (20), said plate (24) being produced from a material different from the material forming the base, optionally selected from a material harder than the material forming the base and affording magnetic or capacitive detection superior to that afforded by the material forming the base.

9. On-board system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, equipped with two or more bases (10) disposed in a predetermined scheme with respect to each other.

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