Slide out inustrial moveable platform

Abstract

A shipping container having a moveable platform that may be rolled on a plurality of rollers or wheels along a track to allow the moveable platform to be conveniently extracted from the shipping container and moved back into the shipping container. The contents of the shipping container can therefore be more easily accessed, stored, loaded, and unloaded.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Slide out Industrial Moveable Platform

[0003] INVENTOR Ryan Baker

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention is directed to long term or on site storage and access to the stored materials. The store materials may be construction supplies and materials, for example. Shipping containers, for example, comprising moveable platforms may be used for storage of supplies and materials for construction projects and accessed repeated over the project time frame.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Shipping containers are used for shipping articles overseas by ship and over land by truck. The containers are typically delivered to a warehouse or other location and unloaded and the contents distributed appropriately from the warehouse. In some instances, the containers may contain articles that may be used at one site. Such containers may be shipped directly to the project site to provide short or long term convenient storage for the articles at a desired location.

[0008] There is a need for a shipping container that may be more easily accessed. Specifically, there is a need for a shipping container that is delivered to a construction site with construction materials that may be easily accessed and then closed.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] Shipping containers are filled with cargo and are transported on ships and tractor trailers as part of goods transportation system. These shipping containers may be difficult to load and unload especially when the shipping container is used for longer term storage, at a construction site, for example. Embodiments of the shipping container may comprise a moveable platform that allows access to the entire contents of the shipping container without unloading the container. Such shipping containers may comprise a track connected to the shipping container and a moveable platform moveably connected to the track. The moveable platform is configured to move from a retracted position within the shipping container and an extended position at least partially outside of the container on the track. In some embodiments, At least one of the moveable platform and the track comprise wheels, rollers, or bearings (hereinafter "wheels") to facilitate relative movement of the moveable platform with the track.

[0011] The track may be connected to the floor, side walls, or ceiling of the container. The track facilitates and guides movement of the moveable platform from the retracted position to the extended position. Embodiments of the track may be one of u beam, C shaped track, I beam track, flat plate, a flat track comprising two inclined curbs, a round pipe, two round pipes, and a half of a pipe, for example. The track may be any shape that complements the wheels. For example, the wheels may be at least one of u-groove wheels, v-groove wheels, conical train style wheels, rollers, or treaded tires. The wheels may be installed under one side of the moveable platform.

[0012] Embodiments of the moveable platform may comprise a connection point for pulling the moveable platform from the retracted position to the extended position and / or pushing the moveable platform from the extended position to the retracted position. The connection point may be for manually moving the moveable platform directly (such as a handle) or for connecting to a forklift or other vehicle for assisted moving.

[0013] The shipping container may be any size or shape container including standard shipping containers such as a standard 20 foot ISO shipping container. In such cases, the moveable platform may have a length between 10 feet and 18.5 feet and a width between 3 feet and 7.5 feet.

[0014] The shipping container may further comprise a stop that prevents or reduces movement of the moveable platform within the shipping container. The stop may be a post, a removeable post, a bolt, a mechanical brake, a friction interference member, or other device to retain the moveable platform in the desired position. In some embodiments, the moveable platform may require support at least under the front of the moveable platform to support the weight of the moveable platform and the articles on it. In one embodiment, the moveable platform may comprise rotatable support legs to support the moveable platform in its extended position or wheels that may rotate under or be connectable to the moveable platform as it is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0015] Embodiments further comprise a method of unloading articles from a shipping container. The method may comprise moving a moveable platform from within the shipping container to at least a partially retracted position outside of the shipping container, wherein the articles to be removed are stacked on the moveable platform, removing at least a portion of the articles from the moveable platform, and moving the moveable platform back within the shipping container. In such embodiments, the moveable platform may be moved along a track on wheels.

[0016] Aspects of the shipping container with a moveable platform are presented in various embodiments, however, one skilled in the art will understand various variation and interchangeability of the components of the various embodiments which are intended to be included in the scope of the invention.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of a standard twenty foot shipping container;

[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of a standard twenty foot shipping container;

[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a top plan view of an embodiment of the moveable platform comprising rollers and a support structure;

[0021] FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of one embodiment of the longitudinal frame member;

[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the moveable platform showing the support frame, the rollers, and the forklift tine receiving members;

[0023] FIG 5A depicts an embodiment of a connector for a forklift;

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts a front view of another embodiment of a moveable platform with two drop down standoffs; FIG. 7 depicts a midsection view of another embodiment of a moveable platform showing the hubs and axle for rotatably connected to the bottom of the support structure;

[0025] FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the moveable platform installed in the shipping container shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 9 depicts a moveable platform comprising drop down stand offs along the length of the moveable platform and hingedly connected to the support frame; and

[0027] FIG 10 depicts an embodiment of the moveable platform with two stops installed in a front aperture of the shipping container.

[0028] DESCRIPTION

[0029] Embodiments of the shipping container or road trailer (hereinafter, "shipping container) comprise a moveable platform, sled, pallet, or shelves (hereinafter "moveable platform") that may be pulled from the container to provide improved access to the articles and pushed back into the container for further storage. In some embodiments the moveable platform may be completely removed from the shipping container. The container can be loaded and unloaded as many times as desired. The shipping container provides a cargo unloading system configured to enhance construction site efficiency of access to materials.

[0030] Embodiments of the shipping container moveable platform comprise a track, rail, or other support structure fixed within a container (hereinafter "track") and a moveable platform moveable along the track. In a preferred embodiment, a height of the track is less than 15% of the interior height of the shipping container. In other embodiments, the moveable platform is removably coupled with the track guides using a plurality of quick-release clamps.

[0031] The moveable platform may comprise a support structure for storing the products or articles. The structural support structure may be a series of metal slats or a complete floor, for example. Generally, the moveable platform is moveably coupled to the track and may, in an embodiment for storing construction materials, support construction materials of at least 1,000 pounds. The construction materials may include, but are not limited to, at least one of rebar, cement, modular panels, tools, wood baseboard, trim materials, hardware, HVAC materials, or electrical materials. The moveable platform is configured to support a load of at least 3,000 pounds in rugged construction environments, including vibration and debris.

[0032] The moveable platform is moveably installed on the track such that the moveable platform can be moved from a position fully within the container to a position at least partially exterior to the container. With the moveable platform exterior to the container, the goods or articles may be more easily accessed, removed, inventoried, and organized than they are within the container. In this way, the shipping container may contain the desired inventory and may be conveniently used over a period of time or to allow unloading of the materials in 30 minutes or less at a construction site in some instances.

[0033] In certain embodiments, a plurality of tracks may be fixedly mounted within an interior of the shipping container on the floor, side wall, or ceiling. The tracks extend longitudinally along at least one wall and may be configured configured to support a load of at least 3 tons.

[0034] Either the moveable platform, the support structure, track, or a combination of these structures may comprise means to move the moveable platform more easily from inside the container to exterior to the container. The means to move the moveable platform more easily may be rollers, wheels, gears, moveable tracks, bearings, motors, runners, or other structure that have a complementary structure that interacts with the means to allow the moveable platform to be moved.

[0035] The moveable platform may further comprise a fitting configured for temporarily connecting a device to moveable platform to assist in moving the moveable platform between its two positions or to completely remove the moveable platform from the shipping container. The device may be a fork truck, a truck, a winch, a pulley, a tractor, skid steer, telescopic material handler, or other device, for example. The fitting may be two apertures for receiving the forks of a fork truck, for example. The forks may be received within the aperture, lifted to engage the structure of the moveable platform, and then pulled out by reversing the fork truck. Alternatively, the fitting may be a trailer coupler for connecting to the tow ball on a vehicle. The moveable platform may be then pulled out with the truck or other vehicle comprising the tow ball. Further, the fitting may also be a handle, aperture, hook, or rod for coupling a winch or other pulling device or hook, for example. The support structure or the moveable platform or both may comprise a locking mechanism that retains the moveable platform within the container and may be unlocked to move the moveable platform. The locking member may comprise a release lever. The locking mechanism may simply be a lip on the support structure and the moveable platform must be lifted to move the moveable platform over the lip. The moveable platform may be lifted by the forks of the fork truck for example. The locking mechanism may also be a pin received within a hole or any other means of retaining the moveable platform in place.

[0036] EXAMPLE

[0037] An example of an embodiment of the shipping container with the moveable platform is described below and shown in the figures. The depicted moveable platform is installed directly into a standard shipping container. This depicted embodiment is configured for a 20' container. Other embodiments can be configured other standard shipping containers or any nonstandard containers.

[0038] FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of a standard twenty foot shipping container 10. This standard shipping container has outside width OW of eight feet and an outside length OL of nineteen feet ten and one half inches; an interior width IW of seven feet eight and nineteen thirty seconds inches and an interior length IW of eighteen feet eight and thirteen sixteenths. FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of a standard twenty foot shipping container 10. The front aperture with the doors open has an aperture width AW of seven feet eight and one eighth inch and an aperture height AH of seven feet five and three quarter inches. The standard twenty foot shipping trailer 10 has a height H of eight foot six inches. The moveable platform for a shipping container must be less than the interior dimensions to fit. The support structure and moveable platform may be configured to be retrofit into any container also. The retrofit embodiments may be shipped as a complete modular unit that can be fit in and installed inside empty containers on site by a welding, bolting, or other installation technique.

[0039] FIG. 3 depicts a top plan view of an embodiment of the moveable platform 20 comprising a support structure 21 and rollers 22. In the depicted embodiment, the support structure 21 comprises four longitudinal frame members 23 and seven cross frame members 24. The rollers 25 are connected to the bottom of the longitudinal frame members. FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of one embodiment of the longitudinal frame member 23. The longitudinal frame members 23 are shown as truss members. The longitudinal frame members and the cross frame members may alternatively be truss members, C-beams, I-beams, S-beams, flat plates, beams having open or closed webs, or combinations thereof. The moveable frame 20 also has forklift tine receiving members 26 on the front to facilitate moving of the moveable frame 20 with a forklift.

[0040] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the moveable platform 20 showing the support frame 21, the rollers 25, and the forklift tine receiving members 26. FIG. 6 depicts a front view of another embodiment of a moveable platform with two drop down standoffs 27. The drop down standoffs 27 support the front of the moveable platform 30 with the moveable platform 30 in the extracted position. The drop down standoffs 30 may be jack stands or hingedly connected to the support structure 21 of the moveable platform 30.

[0041] FIG. 7 depicts a midsection view of another embodiment of a moveable platform showing the hubs 29 and axle 28 for rotatably connecting the rollers 25 to the bottom of the support structure 21. The rollers 25 facilitate movement of the moveable platform 20 and support the weight of the moveable platform and its associated cargo.

[0042] FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the moveable platform 40 installed in the shipping container shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The moveable platform 40 comprises bottom rollers 45 that roll along the floor 41 of the shipping container 10 and side rollers 46 which roll along inclined curbs 47. The floor 41 and the inclined curbs 47 define the track of this embodiment. The floor 41 may comprise flat steel members under the wheels to further define the track. The shipping container 10 also comprises a stop 49 that prevents the moveable platform from rolling during transport or at other undesired times. In FIG. 8, the stop 49 is shown as a threaded rod that may be installed to prevent or reduce movement of the moveable platform and removed to allow the moveable platform to be extracted from the shipping container 10 for use.

[0043] FIG. 9 depicts a moveable platform 50 comprising drop down stand offs 51 along the length of the moveable platform 50 and hingedly connected to the support frame 21. These drop down standoffs support the moveable platform along its length. The stand offs may be manually or automatically lifted as the moveable platform 50 is moved into the shipping container 10. As seen in the detailed view of FIG. 9, the drop down standoff 51 comprises a support plate 54 having a foot plate 55. The support plate 54 is dimensioned such that the foot plate 55 rests on the ground and keeps the moveable platform 50 substantially horizontal for loading or unloading. The support plate 54 may be different dimensions for different shipping containers. For example, for a standard twenty foot shipping container, the support plate 54 would support the foot plate 55 five and one half inches below the bottom of the support structure 21 of moveable platform 50. The drop down standoff 51 may further comprise a rear folding wheel 53. The rear folding wheel 53 contacts the bottom of the shipping container 10 to cause the drop down standoff to rotate on hinged connection 52 into a void in the support structure 21 to a storage position as the moveable platform is moved into the shipping container 10. The rear folding wheel 53 may then roll along the floor of the shipping container 10.

[0044] The embodiments of the shipping container and the moveable platforms described herein provide several advantages over the prior art shipping containers. Materials that have long or inconsistent supply chain logistics can be stored on site, safely within a secure space that also can be unloaded easily by onsite supervisors or subcontractors. This eases financial stresses on suppliers and installers alike and, therefore, can contribute to a more efficient project.

[0045] Construction:

[0046] The support structure may be a welded steel frame that sits on the rollers. Steel I-beams and welded rectangle cross members may make up the construction of the moveable platform. Rollers may be installed on secured angle iron. Fully enclosed steel forklift junctions installed on the front end allow site machinery to be utilized in sliding the moveable platform out and back in the shipping container.

[0047] Other materials may be applicable for other embodiments such as, but not limited to, plastics, reinforced plastics, aluminum, steels, fiberglass, other structure materials, or a combination thereof, for example. The embodiments of the described shipping container, moveable platform, and methods are not limited to the embodiments, components, method steps, and materials disclosed herein as such components, process steps, and materials may vary. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is used to describe exemplary embodiments only and the terminology is not intended to be limited since the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0048] Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be affected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments and should only be defined by the following claims and all equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shipping container, comprising: a track connected to an interior surface of the shipping container; a moveable platform moveably connected to the track, wherein the moveable platform is configured to move from a retracted position within the shipping container and an extended position through a door of the shipping container.

2. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the track is connected to the floor of the container.

3. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the moveable container comprises wheels that engage the track.

4. The shipping container of claim 3, wherein the wheels are v-groove wheels and the track is an inverted v-track.

5. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the track comprises wheels that engage the moveable container.

6. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the moveable platform comprises a connection point for pulling the moveable platform from the retracted position to the extended position.

7. The shipping container of claim 6, wherein the connection point is for forklift forks or a trailer ball connection.

8. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the moveable platform fits within a standard 20 foot ISO shipping container.

9. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein the moveable platform has a length between 10 feet and 19.5 feet and a width between 3 feet and 7.5 feet.

10. The shipping container of claim 3, wherein the track is one of u beam, C shaped track, I beam, flat plate, a flat track comprising two inclined curbs, a round pipe, two round pipes, and a half of a pipe.

11. The shipping container of claim 1, comprising a stop that is positioned to retain the moveable platform within the shipping container.

12. The shipping container of claim 11, wherein the stop is at least one post that engages in front of the moveable platform.

13. The shipping container of claim 3, wherein the wheels are at least one of u-groove wheels, v-groove wheels, conical train style wheels, rollers, or treaded tires.

14. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the moveable platform comprises rotatable support legs to support the moveable platform in its extended position.

15. A method of unloading articles from a shipping container, comprising: moving a moveable platform from within the shipping container to at least a partially retracted position outside of the shipping container, wherein the articles to be removed are stacked on the moveable platform; removing at least a portion of the articles from the moveable platform; and moving the moveable platform back within the shipping container.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the moveable platform comprises moving the moveable platform with a forklift.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the moveable platform comprises connecting the moveable platform to a tow ball on a vehicle and moving the moveable platform with the vehicle.

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