"chain transportation caddy"

Abstract

A chain transportation caddy includes slots located along its upper edges into which chain supporting members can be selectively received. Each chain supporting member has two tongues arranged to be inserted into the slots, and then bolted into side walls of the chain transportation caddy. The chain supporting members may be link holding cradles and / or pin supporting members. The link holding cradles are adjustable in both width and depth.

Description

“CHAIN TRANSPORTATION CADDY”Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a caddy for transporting chains and related products in an industrial environment. It is envisaged that the chains to be transported may be in the order of 32mm chains having a 10m length, with the caddy being able to hold up to 400kg.Background to the Invention

[0002] It is frequently necessary to move chains, such as chain sling assemblies used in cranes and other rigging equipment, around a workshop or other industrial space. Such chains may be connected to chain master links, or may be part of a block and tackle. Frequently, the chains and their connected components may be too heavy for easy lifting and carrying.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a chain transportation caddy which can be readily arranged to support different types and arrangements of chains and connected components.Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a chain transportation caddy including at least one chain supporting member located above a receiving bay of the chain transportation caddy, wherein the chain supporting member is positioned on a supporting bracket, the bracket having two locating tongues extending downwardly of a body portion of the supporting bracket, and wherein the chain transportation caddy includes a side wall having an upper edge, the upper edge including two slots within which the locating tongues are located.

[0005] Advantageously, this allows for the removal of the chain supporting member and its replacement with an alternative chain supporting member.

[0006] The locating tongues may be fixed to the side wall by at least one bolt.

[0007] It is preferred that the chain transportation caddy includes at least a second side wall having an upper edge including two slots within which locating tongues of a second chain supporting member may be received.

[0008] The chain transportation caddy may include third and fourth side walls, each of the third and fourth side walls including two slots within which locating tongues of respective third and fourth chain supporting members may be received.

[0009] The chain supporting member(s) may be a link holding cradle, the link holding cradle having a first arm mounted onto a first mounting plate and a second arm mounted onto a second mounting plate, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a first direction defining a width of the cradle and a second direction defining a depth of the cradle, the first direction and the second direction both being horizonal and orthogonal to each other, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate is angled relative to the first direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

[0010] It is preferred that the first and second mounting plates are each spaced from the locating tongues in two dimensions.

[0011] The chain supporting member may be a pin supporting member, including a pin supporting plate which is affixed to two locating tongues.

[0012] The pin supporting plate is preferably angled with respect to the two locating tongues. In a preferred embodiment, the pin supporting plate is angled at about 20° relative to a direction of the locating tongues.

[0013] The pin supporting plate preferably has a plurality of apertures within which chain supporting pins can be secured.

[0014] It is preferred that the chain transportation caddy has two lateral side walls, each of which has at least one slit extending horizontally along a portion of the side wall. Preferably, the slit is located near an upper surface of the side wall.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, each lateral side wall has a plurality of horizontally extending slits.

[0016] The chain transportation caddy preferably has a plurality of supporting bars extending from one lateral side wall to an opposing lateral side wall. It is preferred that each supporting bar is located with a first end within a slit of a first lateral side wall and a second end within a slit of a second lateral side wall.

[0017] It is preferred that each lateral side wall has a lower slit or slits, positioned parallel to the horizontally extending slit or slits but located near a lower surface of the lateral side wall.

[0018] The chain transportation caddy preferably includes two transverse side walls, at least one of which includes vertically aligned channels arranged to receive a handle. It is preferred that each channel is enclosed at a lower end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of each channel includes an aperture arranged to receive a bolt, by means of which the handle can be secured in the channel.

[0019] The chain transportation caddy preferably includes two forklift slots which extend transversely across a base of the caddy. The forklift slots may include castors affixed on a lower side thereof. In a preferred embodiment each forklift slot includes a central raised portion. Advantageously, this means that a forklift fork must locate above the central raised portion, and therefore prevents damage to castor connections located alongside the central raised portion.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a front perspective of a chain transportation caddy in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a rear perspective of the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective of a link holding cradle from within the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective of a supporting bracket from within the link holding cradle of Figure 4;

[0026] Figure 6 is a plan view of the link holding cradle of Figure 4;

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective of an arm from within the link holding cradle of Figure 4;

[0028] Figure 8 is a perspective of a pin supporting member from within the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 9 is a perspective of a divider from within the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 10 is a perspective of a handle from within the chain transportation caddy of Figure 1 ; and

[0031] Figure 10a is an enlarged view of an end portion of the handle of Figure 10.Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0032] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a chain transportation caddy 10. The caddy 10 is generally rectangular in shape, with a first lateral side wall 12 opposite a second lateral side wall 14, and a first transverse side wall 16 opposite a second transverse side wall 18. The caddy 10 has a floor (not shown), and an open upper end.

[0033] Each of the side walls 12, 14, 16, 18 is formed from bent metal plate. Each of the side walls 12, 14, 16, 18 has an upper edge formed by a lip 20 which extends internally of the respective side wall 12, 14, 16, 18 in a horizontal direction. Each lip 20 has two spaced slots 22 located therein.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment the floor, transverse side walls 16, 18 and associated lips 20 are all formed from a single bent plate.

[0035] Each transverse side wall 16, 18 includes two vertically aligned channels 24 located on an outer face thereof. In a preferred embodiment the first lateral side wall 12 and associated lip 20, together with two vertically aligned channels 24 (one located against the first transverse side wall 16 and the other located against the second transverse side wall 18) are formed from a single bent plate, which also includes a lower lip (not shown) arranged for attachment to the caddy floor. The second lateral side wall 14 is formed in a similar manner.

[0036] The caddy 10 includes a lower supporting structure 26 which defines two forklift slots 28. The lower supporting structure 26 is arranged to be bolted to an outside surface of the caddy floor. In the embodiment shown, the lower supporting structure 26 has two side wings 30, which are arranged to locate outside the lateral side walls 12, 14 of the caddy 10.

[0037] The forklift slots 28 extend transversely across a base of the caddy 10, from the first lateral side wall 12 to the second lateral side wall 14.

[0038] Two castors 32 are mounted to each forklift slot 28, one near the first lateral side wall 12 and one near the second lateral side wall 14.

[0039] Each forklift slot 28 includes a central raised portion 34, formed by three bends within the lower supporting structure 26. The central raised portion 34 acts to prevent a forklift tine from contacting bolts associated with the castors 32.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the lower supporting structure 26 (other than the castors) is formed from a single bent plate.

[0041] The caddy 10 as shown in the drawings includes two chain supporting members, one being a link holding cradle 40 and the other a pin supporting member 42.

[0042] The link holding cradle 40 has a supporting bracket 44 as shown in Figure 5. The supporting bracket 44 is formed from a single bent plate. The supporting bracket 44 includes two vertically aligned locating tongues 46, which are arranged to extend vertically downwardly; a horizontal resting portion 48; a mounting portion 50 supporting a first mounting plate 52; and a mounting portion 50 supporting a second mounting plate 54.

[0043] Each of the mounting portions 50 includes a first spacing portion 56, which extends generally upwardly and forwardly from the horizontal resting portion 48 via a 75° bend; and a second spacing portion 58, which extends horizontally forward of the first spacing portion 56.

[0044] Each of the first and second mounting plates 52, 54 has a top edge 60, an inner edge 62, a bottom edge 64 and an outer edge 66. The first and second mounting plates 52, 54 extend generally upwardly and forwardly from their respective mounting portions 50. The first and second mounting plates52, 54 are angled relative to the vertical direction at an angle of about 12°. The top edge 60 of each mounting plate 52, 54 is thus located slightly forward of the bottom edge 64 of the mounting plate 52, 54.

[0045] The mounting portions 50 are arranged to connect to outer portions of the respective bottom edges 64, leaving inner portions free.

[0046] The first mounting plate 52 is inclined towards the second mounting plate 54 when seen in plan view, as in Figure 6, such that the inner edge 62 of each of the first and second mounting plates 52, 54 is relatively close to the horizontal resting portion 48 and the outer edge 66 of the mounting plate is relatively spaced from the horizontal resting portion 48. The first mounting plate 52 is angled relative to a longitudinal direction of the horizontal resting portion 48 at an angle of about 10°. Similarly the second mounting plate 54 is angled relative to the longitudinal direction at an angle of about 350°. The first mounting plate 52 is therefore angled relative to the second mounting plate 54 at an angle of about 20°. It is anticipated that an angle between the first mounting plate 52 and second mounting plate 54 of between 10° and 40° is likely to produce a useful effect.

[0047] In this way the first and second mounting plates 52, 54 each taper inwardly towards a centre line of the supporting bracket 44. It will be appreciated that the first and second mounting plates 52, 54 are spaced from the tongues 46 in both vertical and horizontal dimensions.

[0048] Upper and lower locating slots 74 extend across each of the first and second mounting plates 52, 54.

[0049] A first arm 76 is bolted to the upper and lower locating slots 74 of the first mounting plate 52. The first arm 76 is shown in Figure 7.

[0050] The first arm 76 has a side wall 78 which extends away from the first mounting plate 52, a front wall 80 which partially closes off the first arm 76, a rear wall 82 opposed to the front wall 80, and a sloped floor 84 extendingdownwardly from the side wall 78 at an angle of about 40° to the vertical. Two bolts 86 extend through the rear wall 82, and are arranged to affix the first arm 76 to the upper and lower locating slots 74 of the first mounting plate 52.

[0051] The rear wall 82 is angled at an obtuse angle relative to the side wall 78. The obtuse angle is about 110°.

[0052] A second arm 88 is bolted to the upper and lower locating slots 74 of the second mounting plate 54, and is a mirror image of the first arm 76.

[0053] The arrangement is such that a chain master link 120 can be located in the link holding cradle 40, with side walls located against the side walls 78 of the first and second arms 76, 88, and a base supported by the sloped floors 84. The chain master link 120 is prevented from tilting forwards by the front walls 80.

[0054] As will be appreciated with reference to Figure 4, the chain master link 120 is spaced from the horizontal resting portion 48, and is not constrained by material around the midline of the link holding cradle 40. In this way, a chain master link 120 with chains and hooks connected thereto can be readily accommodated.

[0055] The spacing between the first arm 76 and the second arm 88 can be varied by sliding of the arms 76, 88 along their respective upper and lower locating slots 74. In this way, chain master links 120 of varying size can be readily accommodated. It will be appreciated as the first and second arms 76, 88 are slid apart both the width of the holding cradle (defined as the distance between the respective side walls 78 of the first and second arms 76, 88, measured in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction) increases, as does the depth of the cradle (defined as the distance between the horizontal resting portion 48 and the first and second arms 76, 88, measured in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction).

[0056] In the embodiment of the drawings, the link holding cradle 40 is located within the first transverse side wall 16. The locating tongues 46 extend within the slots 22, with the horizontal resting portion 48 locating atop the lip 20. Bolts 90 fix the locating tongues 46 to the first transverse side wall 16.

[0057] The pin supporting member 42 is shown in Figure 8. The pin supporting member 42 is formed from a single bent plate. The pin supporting member 42 includes two vertically aligned locating tongues 92, which are arranged to extend vertically downwardly; a horizontal resting portion 94, which defines a supporting bracket for the pin supporting member 42; and a pin supporting plate 96, which extends upwardly and rearwardly of the horizontal resting portion 94 at an angle of about 70°.

[0058] A plurality of pins 98 are bolted to the pin supporting plate 96 by means of bolt securing apertures 99 in the pin supporting plate 96. It will be appreciated that each pin is oriented upwardly by about 20° relative to the horizontal when the locating tongues 92 are vertical.

[0059] In the embodiment of the drawings, the pin supporting member 42 is located within the second transverse side wall 18. The locating tongues 92 extend within the slots 22, with the horizontal resting portion 94 locating atop the lip 20. Bolts 86 fix the locating tongues 92 to the second transverse side wall 18.

[0060] It will be noted that the caddy 10 includes four locations for chain supporting members, one (unused in the drawings) in each lateral side wall 12, 14, one used for the link holding cradle 40 in the first transverse side wall 16 and one used for the pin supporting member 42 in the second transverse side wall 18. A user can use a link holding cradle 40 or a pin supporting member 42 in each of the four locations as required.

[0061] Each of the first and second lateral side walls 12, 14 has a plurality of upper horizontal slits 100 extending along the lateral side wall 12, 14 parallelto, and relatively close to, its lip 20. In the embodiment of the drawings each lateral side wall 12, 14 has five upper horizontal slits 100.

[0062] In the embodiment of the drawings the caddy 10 includes four supporting bars 102. Each supporting bar 102 extends across an upper part of the caddy 10, from an upper horizontal slit 100 in the first lateral side wall 12 to an opposed upper horizontal slit 100 in the second lateral side wall 14. The supporting bars 102 each have bolts 104 extending from both axial ends, allowing for the supporting bar 102 to be secured within the slits 100. It will be appreciated that the supporting bar 102 can be loosened and slid towards or away from the first transverse side wall 16 while being constrained within the slits 100.

[0063] In use, a block and tackle can be supported across two supporting bars 102, with its associated chains locating against the floor of the caddy 10.

[0064] Each of the first and second lateral side walls 12, 14 has a plurality of lower horizontal slits 106 extending along the respective side wall 12, 14, near the caddy floor, each lower horizontal slit 106 being parallel to a respective upper horizontal slit 100.

[0065] The caddy 10 includes a divider 110 as shown in Figure 9. The divider 110 is made from a single bent plate, and sized to extend from the first lateral side wall 12 to the second lateral side wall 14. The divider 110 is fixed in position by bolts 104, arranged to locate within aligned upper and lower slits 100, 106 in the first and second lateral side walls 12, 14. While the embodiment of the drawings shows a single divider 110, it will be appreciated that each set of aligned upper and lower slits 100, 106 is capable of receiving such a divider 110. The divider 110 acts to separate the internal body of the caddy 110 into two receiving bays 112.

[0066] The caddy 10 includes at least one U-shaped handle 114 as shown in Figure 10. The U-shaped handle 114 is shown in the drawings as locating within the vertically aligned channels 24 of the first transverse side wall 16.The U-shaped handle 114 has a bolt 116 located at each of its outer ends, as can be seen in Figure 10a. The vertically aligned channels 24 are closed at a lower end 118 thereof, with a bolt receiving aperture passing therethrough. It will thus be appreciated that, if desired, the U-shaped handle 114 can be secured in position by bolts 116.

[0067] It will be appreciated that a U-shaped handle 114 may be employed additionally, or alternatively, at the second transverse side wall 18.

[0068] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A chain transportation caddy 10 including at least one chain supporting member 40, 42 located above a receiving bay 112 of the chain transportation caddy, wherein the chain supporting member is positioned on a supporting bracket 44, 94 the chain supporting member having two locating tongues 46, 92 extending downwardly of the supporting bracket, and wherein the chain transportation caddy includes a side wall 16, 18 having an upper edge 20, the upper edge including two slots 22 within which the locating tongues are located.

2. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locating tongues are fixed to the side wall by at least one bolt 90.

3. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chain transportation caddy includes at least a second side wall 16, 18 having an upper edge including two slots within which locating tongues of a second chain supporting member 10, 42 may be received.

4. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 3, wherein the chain transportation caddy includes third and fourth side walls 12, 14, each of the third and fourth side walls including two slots 22 within which locating tongues of respective third and fourth chain supporting members may be received.

5. A chain transportation caddy including at least one chain supporting member 40, 42 located above a receiving bay 122 of the chain transportation caddy, the chain supporting member being a link holding cradle 40, the link holding cradle having a first arm 76 mounted onto a first mounting plate 52 and a second arm 88 mounted onto a second mounting plate 54, the position of the first arm being adjustable relative to the first mounting plate in order to allow for adjustment in the size of the cradle, the cradle having a first direction defining a width of the cradle and a second direction defining a depth of the cradle, the first direction and the second direction both being horizonal and orthogonal to each other, characterised in that each of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate is angled relative to the first direction such that the depth of the cradle increases away from a centreline of the cradle.

6. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second mounting plates are each spaced from the locating tongues in two dimensions.

7. A chain transportation caddy including at least one chain supporting member 40, 42 located above a receiving bay 122 of the chain transportation caddy, the chain supporting member being a pin supporting member 42. including a pin supporting plate 96 which is affixed to two locating tongues 92.

8. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pin supporting plate is angled with respect to the two locating tongues.

9. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pin supporting plate is angled at about 20° relative to a direction of the locating tongues.

10. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pin supporting plate has a plurality of apertures 96 within which chain supporting pins 98 can be secured.

11. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any one of claims to 1 to 4, having a chain supporting member as detailed in any one of claims 5 to 10.

12. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chain transportation caddy has two lateral side walls 12, 14, each of which has at least one slit 100 extending horizontally along a portion of the side wall.

13. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slit is located near the upper edge of the side wall.

14. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein each lateral side wall has a plurality of horizontally extending slits.

15. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chain transportation caddy has a plurality of supporting bars 102 extending from one lateral side wall 12 to an opposing lateral side wall 14.

16. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 15, wherein each supporting bar is located with a first end within a slit of a first lateral side wall and a second end within a slit of a second lateral side wall.

17. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein each lateral side wall has a lower slit or slits 106, positioned parallel to the horizontally extending slit or slits but located near a lower edge of the lateral side wall.

18. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chain transportation caddy includes two transverse side walls 16,18. at least one of which includes vertically aligned channels 24 arranged to receive a handle 114.

19. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 18, wherein each channel is enclosed at a lower end thereof.

20. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lower end of each channel includes an aperture arranged to receive a bolt 116, by means of which the handle can be secured in the channel.

21. A chain transportation caddy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chain transportation caddy includes two forklift slots which extend transversely across a base of the caddy, the forklift slots including castors affixed on a lower side thereof, characterised in that each forklift slot includes a central raised portion.

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