A collapsible shipping container includes a floor, a roof, and a pair of bifolding sidewalls, that collapse accordion style to place the sidewalls and roof in a configuration wherein the roof is collapsed onto the sidewalls, and the sidewalls are collapsed onto the floor. The container further inclu
A collapsible shipping container includes a floor, a roof, and a pair of bifolding sidewalls, that collapse accordion style to place the sidewalls and roof in a configuration wherein the roof is collapsed onto the sidewalls, and the sidewalls are collapsed onto the floor. The container further includes a pair of end walls having upper and lower end wall sections. The upper end wall sections may be lowered by activation of a power source to lie on the roof in the collapsed configuration. Collapse and erection of the shipping container may be accomplished with the aid of auxiliary equipment, such as a fork lift.
대표청구항▼
We claim: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a floor; a roof; a pair of sidewalls, each of said pair of sidewalls comprising an upper side panel and a lower side panel; at least one upper hinge connecting said roof to said upper side panel; at least one lower hinge connecting said floor to said
We claim: 1. A collapsible container comprising: a floor; a roof; a pair of sidewalls, each of said pair of sidewalls comprising an upper side panel and a lower side panel; at least one upper hinge connecting said roof to said upper side panel; at least one lower hinge connecting said floor to said lower side panel; at least one middle hinge on each said sidewall connecting the lower side panel of each said sidewall to the upper side panel of said sidewall; a pair of end walls, wherein each said end wall comprise a lower end wall section connected to the floor and an upper end wall section; wherein said floor has a longitudinal axis and two opposing longitudinal sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, each said longitudinal side of said floor having at least one track, and said floor having two opposing transverse ends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the floor, and each said lower end wall section being fixed to a different one of said opposite transverse ends of said floor in an upright position relative to said floor; said roof comprising at least one engaging member configured for engagement with at least one complementary engaging portion of auxiliary equipment for moving said container between an erect configuration wherein said sidewalls and said end walls are in a fully upright position and a first stage of a collapsed configuration wherein said roof is collapsed onto said sidewalls and said sidewalls are collapsed onto said floor; a locking assembly housed in said roof for locking said container in said erect configuration, said locking assembly comprising locking members and at least one releasing member operatively connected to said locking members and in operative contact with said engaging members such that engagement of said engaging members with said at least one engaging portion triggers the releasing member to move said locking members from a locked position to an unlocked position wherein said container is movable into said collapsed configuration; a power assembly for moving said upper end wall sections between said erect configuration and a second stage of the collapsed configuration wherein said upper end wall sections are lowered onto said roof following the first stage of the collapsed configuration; and, a plurality of hinge assemblies, each hinge assembly operatively connecting each upper end wall section to the power assembly. 2. The container recited in claim 1 wherein each of said lower end wall sections extend upwardly from said floor to a distance greater than the distance of said roof from said floor when said container is in the collapsed configuration. 3. The container recited in claim 1 wherein said floor comprises interior and exterior flooring and said power assembly is housed therebetween. 4. The container recited in claim 1 wherein each said hinge assembly comprises: an angled hinge having a first end connection point, a second end connection point and an intermediate connection point; a lever connected at one end thereof to the intermediate connection point and slidably connected at the other end thereof to the track, said lever being further operatively connected to said power assembly; and, a mount fixed to at least one of the lower end wall section and the floor; said second connection point being pivotally connected to said mount and said first end connection point being connected to said upper end wall section. 5. The container recited in claim 4 wherein said power assembly has power supply lines connected for delivery of power to said lever to move said lever in a desired direction along said track, thereby translating such movement through said angled hinge to said upper end wall section. 6. The container recited in claim 5 wherein said power assembly is self-contained within said container. 7. The container recited in claim 6 wherein said power assembly comprises a fuel powered motor. 8. The container recited in claim 6 wherein said power assembly comprises an electric motor. 9. The container recited in claim 6 wherein said power assembly comprises a battery powered motor. 10. The container recited in claim 5 wherein said power assembly has at least one pair of connectors for connecting to an external source of power. 11. The container recited in claim 10 wherein said external source of power is supplied by auxiliary equipment having power lines releasably connectable to said connectors of said power assembly. 12. The container recited in claim 11 wherein said auxiliary equipment is a fork lift. 13. The container recited in claim 11 wherein said external source of power is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, fossil fuel, plant-based fuel, solar, electromagnetic and chemical power. 14. The container recited in claim 5 wherein there are four hinge assemblies, one on each side of each said upper end wall section, said power assembly farther comprising: a pair of cylinders mounted on said floor, each said cylinder being connected to a pair of power supply lines, a first one of said pair of power supply lines being disposed on a first longitudinal side of said floor for connection to said lever of a one of said hinge assemblies, and a second one of said pair of power supply lines being disposed on a second longitudinal side of said floor for connection to said lever of a different one of said hinge assemblies. 15. The container recited in claim 14 wherein said power assembly has at least one pair of connectors, each connector of said pair of connectors for connecting each cylinder to an external source of power. 16. The container recited in claim 15 wherein said external source of power is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, fossil fuel, plant-based fuel, solar, electromagnetic and chemical power. 17. The container recited in claim 1 further comprising four fittings for releasable connection to auxiliary equipment for moving said container, one said fitting being disposed at each corner of said upper end wall sections. 18. The container recited in claim 1 further comprising four fittings for releasable connection to auxiliary equipment for moving said container, one said fitting being disposed at each top corner of said lower end wall sections. 19. The container recited in claim 1 further comprising elastomeric seals for sealing the container against moisture when in said erect configuration. 20. A collapsible container comprising: a floor; a roof, a pair of sidewalls, each of said pair of sidewalls comprising an upper side panel and a lower side panel; at least one upper hinge connecting said roof to said upper side panel; at least one lower hinge connecting said floor to said lower side panel; at least one middle hinge on each said sidewall connecting the lower side panel of each said sidewall to the upper side panel of said sidewall; a pair of end walls; said roof comprising at least one engaging member configured for engagement with at least one complementary engaging portion of auxiliary equipment for moving said container between an erect configuration wherein said sidewalls and said end walls are in a fully upright position and a first stage of a collapsed configuration wherein said roof is collapsed onto said sidewalls and said sidewalls are collapsed onto said floor; a locking assembly housed in said roof for locking said container in said erect configuration, said locking assembly comprising locking members and at least one releasing member operatively connected to said locking members and in operative contact with said engaging members such that engagement of said engaging members with said at least one engaging portion triggers the releasing member to move said locking members from a locked position to an unlocked position wherein said container is movable into said collapsed configuration, wherein said locking members are biased toward a locked position. 21. The container recited in claim 20 wherein said locking members, in said locked position, engage said end walls. 22. The container recited in claim 20 further comprising a power assembly for moving said upper end wall sections between said erect configuration and a second stage of the collapsed configuration wherein said upper end wall sections are lowered onto said roof following the first stage of the collapsed configuration. 23. The container recited in claim 20 further comprising a plurality of hinge assemblies, each hinge assembly operatively connecting each upper end wall section to the power assembly. 24. The container recited in claim 23 wherein each said hinge assembly comprises: an angled hinge having a first end connection point, a second end connection point and an intermediate connection point; a lever connected at one end thereof to the intermediate connection point and slidably connected at the other end thereof to the track, said lever being further operatively connected to said power assembly; and, a mount fixed to at least one of the lower end wall section and the floor; said second connection point being pivotally connected to said mount and said first end connection point being connected to said upper end wall section. 25. A collapsible container comprising: a floor; a roof; a pair of sidewalls, each of said pair of sidewalls comprising an upper side panel and a lower side panel; at least one upper hinge connecting said roof to said upper side panel; at least one lower hinge connecting said floor to said lower side panel; at least one middle hinge on each said sidewall connecting the lower side panel of each said sidewall to the upper side panel of said sidewall; a pair of end walls; said roof comprising at least one engaging member configured for engagement with at least one complementary engaging portion of auxiliary equipment for moving said container between an erect configuration wherein said sidewalls and said end walls are in a fully upright position and a first stage of a collapsed configuration wherein said roof is collapsed onto said sidewalls and said sidewalls are collapsed onto said floor, wherein said roof has a longitudinal axis and said engaging member comprises at least one elongate passage spanning said roof in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said roof and, a locking assembly housed in said roof for locking said container in said erect configuration, said locking assembly comprising locking members and at least one releasing member operatively connected to said locking members and in operative contact with said engaging members such that engagement of said engaging members with said at least one engaging portion triggers the releasing member to move said locking members from a locked position to an unlocked position wherein said container is movable into said collapsed configuration. 26. The container recited in claim 25 wherein said releasing member protrudes into said at least one elongate passage. 27. The container recited in claim 25 wherein said elongate passage has a rectangular cross-section for receiving the engaging portion of the auxiliary equipment. 28. The container recited in claim 25 wherein said locking assembly has a pair of releasing members, each releasing member comprising a plunger protruding into said elongate passage connected by a biasing member to a connector arm, said connector arm being pivotally connected to a pivot arm, and said pivot arm being pivotally connected to said locking member, said locking member, in said locked position, being in engagement with one of said end walls. 29. The container recited in claim 28 wherein there are two elongate passages, each elongate passage having at least one opening along its length through which a convexly curved portion of said plunger protrudes. 30. The container recited in claim 25 wherein said at least one middle hinge comprises two substantially parallel and non collinear pins, one pin being joined to said upper side panel of said side wall and the other pin being joined to said lower side panel of said side wall. 31. The container recited in claim 30 wherein said at least one middle hinge further comprises a housing forming, in cross-section, an elongate oval through which said two pins pass and in which said pins move freely to allow said upper and lower side panels to move between the erect configuration and the collapsed configuration. 32. The container recited in claim 25 further comprising a power assembly for moving said upper end wall sections between said erect configuration and a second stage of the collapsed configuration wherein said upper end wall sections are lowered onto said roof following the first stage of the collapsed configuration. 33. The container recited in claim 25 further comprising a plurality of hinge assemblies, each hinge assembly operatively connecting each upper end wall section to the power assembly. 34. The container recited in claim 33 wherein each said hinge assembly comprises: an angled hinge having a first end connection point, a second end connection point and an intermediate connection point; a lever connected at one end thereof to the intermediate connection point and slidably connected at the other end thereof to the track, said lever being further operatively connected to said power assembly; and a mount fixed to at least one of the lower end wall section and the floor; said second connection point being pivotally connected to said mount and said first end connection point being connected to said upper end wall section. 35. A collapsible container comprising: a floor; a roof; a pair of sidewalls, each of said pair of sidewalls comprising an upper side panel and a lower side panel; at least one upper hinge connecting said roof to said upper side panel; at least one lower hinge connecting said floor to said lower side panel; at least one middle hinge on each said sidewall connecting the lower side panel of each said sidewall to the upper side panel of said sidewall; a pair of end walls; said roof comprising at least one engaging member configured for engagement with at least one complementary engaging portion of auxiliary equipment for moving said container between an erect configuration wherein said sidewalls and said end walls are in a fully upright position and a first stage of a collapsed configuration wherein said roof is collapsed onto said sidewalls and said sidewalls are collapsed onto said floor; a locking assembly housed in said roof for locking said container in said erect configuration, said locking assembly comprising locking members and at least one releasing member operatively connected to said locking members and in operative contact with said engaging members such that engagement of said engaging members with said at least one engaging portion triggers the releasing member to move said locking members from a locked position to an unlocked position wherein said container is movable into said collapsed configuration, wherein said at least one upper hinge, said at least one lower hinge, and said at least one middle hinge are so configured that said shipping container tends to collapse due to gravity when said locking members are disposed in said unlocked position. 36. The container recited in claim 35 further comprising four fittings for releasable connection to auxiliary equipment for moving said container, one said fitting being disposed at each corner of said floor.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (23)
Scales Peter Bruce,CAX ITX V3K 2M5 ; Banks Robert Todd,CAX ITX V7C 3E5, Collapsible airline cargo container.
Porch Don E. (5026 E. Earl Phoenix AZ 85018) Manktelow Paul W. (8310 E. Lewis Scottsdale AZ 85257) Utz James E. (6608 S. 43rd Place Phoenix AZ 85040), Collapsible shipping container.
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