Patents Assigned to Environmental Container Systems
  • Patent number: 8172208
    Abstract: A shock mount device for a container includes a variable spring rate assembly coupled to a shock retainer. The variable spring rate assembly is removable from the shock retainer without removing equipment from the container. The variable spring rate assembly includes a replaceable core that may be exchanged with a replaceable core having either a larger or smaller durometer depending on a weight-to-load ration of equipment in the container. Removing and replacing the replaceable core may include removing and replacing the entire variable spring rate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20120043342
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a container includes a baseplate and a handle portion. A post extends from an arm of the handle portion and is configured to allow the baseplate to be snapped onto the post. In turn, the baseplate may be fastened or otherwise attached to the container. When lifting the container, the handle is rotated from a stored position and mechanically halted in a lifting position with interlocking complementary stops coupled to the handle portion and baseplate, respectively. In one embodiment, the stops include complementarily angled surfaces that are placed in interlocking bearing contact when the handle portion is in the lifting position. A biasing member coupled to the handle portion and engaged with the baseplate biases the handle portion toward the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Douglas J. Fjelland
  • Publication number: 20120024739
    Abstract: A latch system for stacked containers includes a plurality of bosses and a latch mechanism. The bosses are coupled to each of the stack containers and may include a pivot boss, a storage boss and a latch boss. The latch mechanism includes a pivot end portion, a flexible mid portion and a latch end portion. The pivot end portion is placed onto the pivot boss to allow rotation of the latch mechanism there about. In one embodiment, the pivot end portion includes a rounded inner diameter to permit both in-plane and out-of-plane rotation of the latch mechanism relative to the container. The latch end portion biasly engages either the storage boss of the same container or the latch boss of another container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc. d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Douglas J. Fjelland
  • Publication number: 20120006837
    Abstract: Universal wraps are used in the construction of a container centerbody. The wraps may take the form of a top and bottom wrap with complementary stacking patterns, in which the wraps create the centerbody. The wraps permit stacking of different-style containers regardless of which container is positioned as the bottom container. The universal wraps may include curved edge portions to seamlessly and aesthetically blend in with a side panel of the container. The stacking patterns of the wraps may take different forms with various shaped protuberances and recessed portions. Further, one or more of the wraps may have isolation features attached to or integrally formed with an interior surface of the wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100327500
    Abstract: A shock mount device for a container includes a variable spring rate assembly coupled to a shock retainer. The variable spring rate assembly is removable from the shock retainer without removing equipment from the container. The variable spring rate assembly includes a replaceable core that may be exchanged with a replaceable core having either a larger or smaller durometer depending on a weight-to-load ration of equipment in the container. Removing and replacing the replaceable core may include removing and replacing the entire variable spring rate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100239798
    Abstract: An electromagnetic compatible container is molded from a carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material to provide a sufficient amount of structural durability while substantially preventing equipment within the container from electromagnetic interference. In one embodiment, the container is produced from a carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene sheet material that is selectively cut to form portions of the container that define a cavity for housing the equipment. The carbon fibers may be substantially encased within the polymeric material. Further, the container may have a low surface energy combined with a high level of electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100219193
    Abstract: Universal members placed between containers having different stacking patterns permit stacking of these containers regardless of the type of container positioned as the bottom container. The universal members include an appropriate thickness and a plurality of openings configured to receive the different stacking patterns. Depending on the containers being stacked, the universal members may take different forms. For example, one universal member may include T-shaped openings while another universal member may include rectangular-shaped openings with offset members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100187148
    Abstract: A container includes an outer case with an interior volume sized to receive an equipment rack assembly, which in turn includes an inner (i.e., movable or slidable) platform assembly slidably coupled to an outer (i.e., non-movable or fixed) isolation assembly fixed to the case. In one example, the inner platform assembly slidably engages the outer isolation assembly using a joint, such as a dove-tail style joint. In addition, the outer isolation assembly may be supported by one or more shock absorbent devices positioned between the outer isolation assembly and the case. The shock absorbent devices may be positioned, oriented and tuned to achieve a desired amount of shock attenuation and damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7764497
    Abstract: A transit container, such as a rack-mount style container, includes a temperature control system for maintaining a desired temperature within the container such that any cargo within the container remains operational at selected times and possibly in selected locations. The temperature control system includes support or mounting brackets, a temperature control assembly, shock isolation devices for shock attenuation of the temperature control assembly, exhaust assemblies that include exhaust fans and exhaust/intake louvers, and a mounting plate attachable to a lid of the transit container. The temperature control assembly and the aforementioned components may be arranged to have a low-height profile or envelope, which in turn permits the temperature control system to be located in a cavity or chamber of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7740138
    Abstract: A stackable container assembly includes a lid portion having first raised members projecting outwardly from an upper surface, at least some of the first raised members cooperatively forming first receiving areas, and a base portion coupleable to the lid portion and forming a containment space. The base portion includes second raised members projecting outwardly from a lower surface, at least some of the second raised members cooperatively forming second receiving areas being adapted to fittingly receive first raised members of a like container assembly positioned below the lower surface. And, the first receiving areas are adapted to fittingly receive second raised members of another like container assembly positioned above the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100140270
    Abstract: A container includes a sealing system coupled to an interior surface of the container's lid or cover. The sealing system includes a rotatable latch that, when rotated, cooperates with a number of gears to and a cam assembly formed in the lid to actuate a number of arms or links. In one embodiment, some of the arms extend approximately radially from a driven gear and operate to move an engagement member of the sealing assembly into contact with a complementary engagement member coupled to a base portion of the container. This engagement, in turn, compresses a seal or gasket located between the lid portion and the base portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc. d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100102055
    Abstract: A stackable equipment container includes at least one reinforcement panel made of a composite material attached to the container on an interior surface proximate an arrangement of stackable elements. The panel is attached to the container using spin-weld plugs installed at a high rotation rate. Through the installation of the spin-weld plugs, the panel becomes fused or welded to the container. In one embodiment, the rotation rate of the spin-weld plugs during installation is sufficient to cause the panel and container to locally vulcanize with each other and with the spin-weld plugs. The panel provides the container with increased strength and operates to minimize or eliminate distortion of the stackable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100085709
    Abstract: A rack-mount case system for receiving, supporting and storing electronics equipment includes a slide-out frame closely received and shock mounted in a case. The system includes a cooling unit having at least one heat sink in fluid communication with a first blower and a manifold in fluid communication with a second blower. A thermoelectric unit is located between the heat sink and the manifold to provide a compact cooling unit that may be secured to a side of the slide-out frame with a bracket, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100084119
    Abstract: A transit container, such as a rack-mount style container, includes a temperature control system for maintaining a desired temperature within the container such that any cargo within the container remains operational at selected times and possibly in selected locations. The temperature control system includes support or mounting brackets, a temperature control assembly, shock isolation devices for shock attenuation of the temperature control assembly, exhaust assemblies that include exhaust fans and exhaust/intake louvers, and a mounting plate attachable to a lid of the transit container. The temperature control assembly and the aforementioned components may be arranged to have a low-height profile or envelope, which in turn permits the temperature control system to be located in a cavity or chamber of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7688584
    Abstract: A rack-mount case system for receiving, supporting and storing electronics equipment includes a slide-out frame closely received and shock mounted in a case. The system includes a cooling unit having at least one heat sink in fluid communication with a first blower and a manifold in fluid communication with a second blower. A thermoelectric unit is located between the heat sink and the manifold to provide a compact cooling unit that may be secured to a side of the slide-out frame with a bracket, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20100038328
    Abstract: A system for a slide-out platform in a rack mount case includes a slide-out platform configured to secure electronic equipment. The platform is slideably attached to the rack mount case using a first rail and a second rail. The first and second rail have a series of indexing holes in order to allow a dagger pin to secure the platform in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, inc., dba ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7537119
    Abstract: Stackable container apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20090071916
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for a flip rail in a rack mount are disclosed herein. A flip rail apparatus for allowing full width electronic equipment to be slide mounted in a rack mount case includes a rack mount frame coupled to a rack mount case. The rack mount frame is configured to hold standard rack mountable electronic equipment. The frame has a first front vertical rail and a second front vertical rail. The first vertical flip rail is attached to the first vertical rail and the second vertical flip rail is attached to the second vertical rail. The first and second vertical flip rails selectively rotate outward away from the electronic equipment in order to allow electronic equipment to be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc. d/b/a ECS Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20080264820
    Abstract: Stackable container apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a container assembly includes a lid portion having a plurality of first raised members projecting outwardly from an upper surface, at least some of the first raised members cooperatively forming a plurality of first receiving areas, and a base portion coupleable to the lid portion and forming a containment space, the base portion having a plurality of second raised members projecting outwardly from a lower surface, at least some of the second raised members cooperatively forming a plurality of second receiving areas, the second receiving areas being adapted to fittingly receive a second plurality of first raised members of a like container assembly positioned below the lower surface, and the first receiving areas being adapted to fittingly receive a second plurality of the second raised members of another like container assembly positioned above the upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20060254946
    Abstract: Stackable container apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Becklin