Cargo Shipping Container

Abstract

A universal cargo shipping container for protecting cargo from damage during transportation is described. The shipping container is a rigid framed box that possesses sight ports for allowing the contents to be visually inspected without unloading the cargo from the shipping container. The internal configuration of the argo shipping container can be adjusted and several methods can be employed to securely hold a variety of different cargo in place, thus preventing damage during transport. The cargo container is especially suitable for a variety of different makes and models of wheel chairs.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is related to a cargo shipping container. In particular the cargo shipping container has application as a universal shipping container to protect a wheel chair from damage during transportation.

BACKGROUND

Wheel chairs are critical assistive devices for a large fraction of the more than 17 million persons with disabilities who travel by air annually. The cost of modern electric wheel chairs ranges from several thousand dollars to several tens of thousands of dollars. These high tech wheel chairs contain a variety of features such as joystick controls, communication devices, navigation systems, body support and positioning hardware, arm and foot rests, shock absorbers and springs that can be damaged if not properly protected during transport.

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) requires airlines to transport assistive devices, such as wheel chairs, for persons with disabilities. When stowed in the cargo compartment, wheel chairs must be given priority over cargo and baggage, and must be among the first items unloaded. On domestic flights, airlines may not limit their liability for loss, damage, or delayed checked baggage associated with electric wheel chairs. The carrier may not require a passenger with a disability to sign a waiver of liability for damage or loss of electric wheel chairs and, if damaged or lost, the criterion for calculating the compensation is the original purchase price of the device.

Damage or loss of an electric wheel chair can result in lengthy and costly repairs or replacement, effectively limiting the occupant's mobility for the duration. Increased health concerns and costs represent further issues as a direct cause of inadequate storage and transportation of electric wheel chairs. A substitute wheel chair may cause not only discomfort to the occupant, but health problems such as reduced blood circulation and even pressure sores and ulcers.

A universal cargo shipping container is needed to securely hold the chair in place throughout the transportation process. For example, transportation by airplane involves loading and unloading the wheel chair, take off and landing, as well as turbulent flight, all of which have the potential to damage the structure and sensitive components of an electric wheel chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows an overview of the cargo container.

FIG. 1b shows the cargo container with the top open and the front panel down to form the ramp.

FIG. 2a shows a side view of the fastener bolted into the inverted “T” channel.

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the fastener bolted into a slot.

FIG. 2c is a top view showing how the fastener is inserted into the channels in the base of the container and then rotated into place.

FIG. 3a shows the eyebolt configuration of the fastener used to anchor tie down straps to the base.

FIG. 3b shows the long threaded bolt configuration of the fastener used to secure the wheel chair using the seat plate.

FIG. 3c shows the short threaded bolt configuration of the fastener used to secure the wheel blocks to the base.

FIG. 4a is a schematic showing ratchet straps hooked to the eyebolt used to secure a wheel chair to the base of the shipping container.

FIG. 4b is a schematic showing the wheel straps hooked to the eyebolt used to secure a wheel chair to the base of the shipping container.

FIG. 4c is a schematic showing the seat plate and long bolts used to secure a wheel chair to the base of the shipping container.

FIG. 4d is a schematic showing the adjustable wheel blocks and short bolts used to secure a wheel chair to the base of the shipping container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein is a universal cargo shipping container that can be adjusted to securely hold a variety of different makes and models of wheel chairs or other cargo. The shipping container is designed to prevent damage to a wheel chair or other cargo during transportation on airplanes or by other methods. The cargo shipping container possesses the following traits:

• strong, rigid frame,
• easy to load and secure the wheel chair in place,
• reconfigurable to accommodate various makes and models of wheel chairs,
• several methods can be employed to secure the wheel chair or other cargo in place,
• easily moveable by airport baggage handlers, and
• contains sight ports for Transportation Security Administration personnel to inspect the contents of the container.

The presently disclosed embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 4, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1a, a cargo shipping container 10 is disclosed in which a wheel chair or other cargo can be secured to protect the wheel chair or other cargo from damage during transportation. The container consists of a rigid frame 11 attached to a base 12 of sufficient strength to support an electric wheel chair. Two side panels 13, a front panel 14, a back panel 15, and a top panel 16 are fastened to the frame to enclose the wheel chair or other cargo. The front panel 14 is used as a loading ramp and is sufficiently strong to support the weight of an electric wheel chair. The strength can be obtained, for example, by utilizing a sufficiently strong material or a lighter material that is strengthened with reinforcing members. The panels can be mounted such that the cargo shipping container 10 has either an external or internal frame 11.

Referring again to FIG. 1a, one or more ramp hinges 17 connect the bottom edge of the front panel 14 to the frame 1 1 at the front edge of the base 12. One or more top hinges 18 connect the back edge of the top panel 16 to the frame 11 at the top edge of the back panel 15. A latch 19 is mounted along the edge where the front panel 14 meets the top panel 16. The latch 19 is used to secure the panels of the cargo shipping container 10 in the closed configuration.

Wheels 21 can be attached to the bottom of the base 12 so that the cargo shipping container 10 can be rolled to different locations. In various embodiments, the wheels 21 can be locking or retractable into the base 12, or both locking and retractable. 10231 FIG. 1b shows the cargo shipping container 10 in the open configuration. The cargo shipping container 10 is opened for loading a wheel chair or other cargo by unfastening the latch 19 and swinging the top panel 16 open and lowering the front panel 14 to form a ramp for loading and unloading a wheel chair or other cargo. The part of the frame 11 that extends across the front of the top panel 16 is attached to it, and detaches from the rest of the frame 11 as the top panel 16 is opened. When the top panel 16 is closed, the part of the frame that extends across the front of the top panel is secured to the rest of the frame 11 by means of a dovetail joint or some other means known by those skilled in the art.

The two side panels 13, the front panel 14, and the back panel 15 contain ports 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1b. The ports 20 are regions cut out of the panels which allow the visual inspection of the internal contents of the cargo shipping container 10 without having to open the container. The ports 20 also allow access to the inside of the container to secure the wheel chair or other cargo in place when the container 10 is closed. The ports 20 can be various sizes and shapes and can be located in different areas of the panels. The ports 20 on the front panel 14 must be located near the center of the panel to allow sufficient area for the wheels of the wheel chair to roll on the ramp during loading and unloading.

The frame 11, base 12, and front panel 14 are constructed from a sufficiently strong metal, composite, or other suitable material. Each of these parts can be manufactured from the same material or from a variety of materials having sufficient strength. The two side panels 13, back panel 15, and top panel 16 can be constructed from a thin, rigid, light-weight metal, plastic, composite, or other suitable material.

FIG. 2a shows a cut-away side view of the base 12 with an inverted “T” channel 27. FIG. 2b shows a cut-away side view of the base 12 with a simple vertical slot 28. Inverted “T” channels 27 or simple vertical slots 28 in the base 12 are used to secure various fasteners 22 to the base 12 of the container 10. Because their function is the same, mention of ‘inverted “T” channels 27’ is interchangeable with ‘vertical slots 28’ hereafter. FIG. 2c is a top view showing how the fasteners 22 are inserted into the inverted “T” channel 27 and turned 90 degrees. There can be one or more inverted “T” channels 27 in the base 12 of the cargo shipping container 10. These can be arranged, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4c, in a square or rectangular pattern, or in any other suitable geometry. Fasteners 22 for securing a wheel chair or other cargo in place are fastened to the inverted “T” channels 27 in different locations, thus allowing for a variety of different wheel chair sizes and shapes to be secured for transport.

A wheel chair or other cargo is secured to the inside of the container 10 by several methods. FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate the method for attaching fasteners 22 to the inverted “T” channels 27 in the base 12 of the cargo shipping container 10. The end of the fastener 22 that is secured to the inverted “T” channel 27 contains a rectangular head 23 and an alignment piece 24, similar to a carriage bolt configuration, fixed to the end of a threaded rod 25, onto which a nut 26 is placed. The other end of the fastener 22 can have various configurations that attach to different wheel chair or other cargo securing devices. These wheel chair or other cargo securing devices are described later.

Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the fastener 22 is attached to the base 12 by inserting the end with the rectangular head 23 through the vertical slot 28; the rectangular head 23 and alignment piece 24 will be in the horizontal slot 29 in the inverted “T” channel 27 configuration. For the vertical slot configuration, the fastener 22 is inserted in the vertical slot 28 through the base 12. The fastener 22 is then rotated 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 2c; the rectangular head 23 will extend across the width of horizontal slot 28. As the nut 26 is tightened, the fastener 22 is pulled up so the alignment piece 24 enters the vertical slot 28 and the rectangular head 23 comes in contact with the top of the horizontal slot 29 or for the vertical slot configuration, the bottom of the base 12. The alignment piece 24 prevents the fastener 22 from rotating, effectively securing it in place.

The end of the fastener 22 that is not fastened to the inverted “T” channel 27 in the base 12 of the cargo shipping container 10 can contain different configurations for different methods of securing a wheel chair or other cargo in the container 10. Referring to FIG. 3a, an eyebolt fastener 31 is comprised of an eye hook 30 attached to the end of the fastener 22 that is not fastened to the inverted “T” channel 27. Referring now to FIG. 4a, eyebolt fasteners 31 can be fastened to different locations in the inverted “T” channels 27, according to the appropriate configuration for the particular wheel chair being transported. Tie down straps 34 are attached to the eye hooks 30 and positioned over and through the wheel chair frame and tightened. Alternatively, the tie down straps 34 can be positioned over the wheel chair seat or around any part of the wheel chair that will provide a strong location to securely strap the wheel chair in place. Any type of tie down strap 34 can be used, such as ratchet straps, provided they have sufficient strength and once secured will not slip or loosen in transport.

A variation of the eyebolt fastener 31 and strap 34 over the wheel chair method is the eyebolt fastener 31 and tire strap 35 method as shown in FIG. 4b. In this configuration, an eyebolt fastener 31 is bolted in front of and behind each wheel chair wheel 36. Tire straps 35 are positioned over each wheel 36, anchored to the eyebolt fasteners 31, and tightened to secure the wheel chair to the base 12 of the cargo shipping container 10. Any type of tire strap 35 can be used, such as ratchet straps, providing they have sufficient strength and once secured will not slip or loosen in transport.

In another embodiment, the fastener 22 is configured such that the end that is not fastened to the inverted “T” channel 27 in the base 12 of the cargo shipping container 10 is simply a long extension of the threaded rod 25, as shown in FIG. 3b. Four of these long bolts 32 are fastened to the base 12 of the cargo container 10, two on each side of the wheel chair seat as shown in FIG. 4c. A rectangular seat plate 37 is placed over the wheel chair seat with the long bolts 32 passing through holes machined in the seat plate 37. Nuts 26 are tightened on the long bolts 32 to secure the plate 37 against the wheel chair seat to hold the wheel chair in place during transport.

As shown in FIG. 4d, wheel blocks 38 can be used to hold the wheel chair wheels 36 in place when it is known the cargo container 10 will remain upright at all times, or to supplement other methods to secure the wheel chair to the base of the cargo container 10. The wheel blocks 38 are “L” shaped pieces of material, usually made from a metal or alloy, with a slot 39 through the structure. A wheel block 38 is fastened to the inverted “T” channel 27 in the base 12 of the cargo container 10 using a short bolt fastener 33. The short bolt fastener 33, shown in FIG. 3c, consists of a short threaded rod 25 on the end of the fastener. Short bolt fasteners 33 are inserted into the inverted “T” channel 27 in the base 12 in the same manner as described previously for other fasteners. A wheel block 38 is placed over each of the four short bolts 33, with the short bolt 33 passing through the wheel block slot 39, and butted up against the wheels 36. Each wheel block 38 can be adjusted via the slot 39 to position the wheel block 38 against the side of the wheel chair wheel 36. The wheel blocks 38 are then secured via nuts 26 to the short bolts 33 to prevent the wheels 36 of the wheel chair from moving during transit. The multiple inverted “T” channels 27 and slots 39 in the wheel blocks 38 allow for securing various wheel chairs of different dimensions.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A cargo container comprising:

a structural frame of sufficient strength to be capable of supporting cargo weight;

a base capable of supporting cargo weight, attached to said frame, to which fasteners can be attached for securing cargo in place;

a left side wall panel attached to said frame;

a right side wall panel attached to said frame;

a top wall panel attached to said frame;

a back wall panel attached to said frame;

a front wall panel attached to said frame;

said front wall panel hinged at its bottom edge to said frame so that it can be lowered to provide a ramp for loading into the container;

said front wall panel being of sufficient strength to be capable of supporting cargo;

said top wall panel hinged on the back edge to said frame so it can be opened when loading cargo and providing access to the inside of the container to secure cargo in place;

a first observation port;

said first observation port designed to allow for access to the inside of the container for securing cargo in place and to allow the contents of the container to be visually inspected without unloading cargo.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein:

said frame is sufficiently strong to maintain the shape of the container when it is tipped on any side with cargo secured inside to the base of the container.

3. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastener system such that when the container is moved, jostled, and tipped on a side, back, or top, the cargo remains secured in position attached to said base inside the container.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

wheels attached to said base.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a system of straps having two ends;

a means to tighten said straps;

fasteners in said base or said frame of the container;

said straps capable of being placed over the cargo;

said strap ends attached to said fasteners;

said straps tightened to secure the cargo in place.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

anchors;

straps;

channels in said base of the container

said anchors bolted to said channels in said base of the container;

said straps attached to secure the cargo.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising;

blocks;

channels in said base of said container

said blocks bolted to various locations in said channels to secure the cargo.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

vertical rods;

channels in said base of the container;

said vertical rods bolted to various locations along said channels in said base;

a plate;

said plate placed over the cargo and bolted to said rods to secure cargo.

9. The container of claim 4 wherein:

said wheels are retractable.

10. The container of claim 7, wherein:

said blocks positioned and adjusted front to back in said channels in said base;

said blocks are slotted to allow side to side adjustment to accommodate different cargo dimensions;

said blocks shaped to prevent the cargo from moving forward and backwards and sliding left and right when bolted into position.

11. The container of claim 1 further comprising:

a second observation port located on a side different from said first observation port.

12. A wheel chair container comprising:

a structural frame of sufficient strength to be capable of supporting wheel chair weight;

a base capable of supporting wheel chair weight, attached to said frame, to which fasteners can be attached for securing wheel chair in place;

a left side wall panel attached to said frame;

a right side wall panel attached to said frame;

a top wall panel attached to said frame;

a back wall panel attached to said frame;

a front wall panel attached to said frame;

said front wall panel hinged at its bottom edge to said frame so that it can be lowered to provide a ramp for loading into the container;

said front wall panel being of sufficient strength to be capable of supporting wheel chair;

said top wall panel hinged on the back edge to said frame so it can be opened when loading wheel chair and providing access to the inside of the container to secure wheel chair in place;

a first observation port;

said first port designed to allow for access to the inside of the container for securing wheel chair in place and to allow the contents of the container to be visually inspected without unloading wheel chair.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein:

said frame is sufficiently strong to maintain the shape of the container when it is tipped on any side with wheel chair secured inside to said base of the container.

14. The container of claim 12, further comprising:

a fastener system such that when the container is moved, jostled, and tipped on a side, back, or top, the wheel chair remains secured in position attached to said base inside the container.

15. The container of claim 12, further comprising:

wheels attached to said base.

16. The container of claim 12, further comprising:

a system of straps having two ends;

a means to tighten said straps;

fasteners in said base or said frame of the container;

said straps capable of being placed over the wheel chair;

said strap ends attached to said fasteners;

said straps tightened to secure the wheel chair in place.

17. The container of claim 12, further comprising:

anchors;

straps;

channels in said base of the container

said anchors bolted to said channels in said base of the container;

said straps attached to secure the wheel chair.

18. The container of claim 12, further comprising;

blocks;

channels in said base of the container;

said blocks bolted to various locations in said channels to secure the wheel chair.

19. The container of claim 12, further comprising:

vertical rods;

channels in said base of the container;

said vertical rods bolted to various locations along said channels in said base;

a plate;

said plate placed over the wheelchair and bolted to said rods to secure wheel chair.

20. The container of claim 15 wherein:

said wheels are retractable.

21. The container of claim 18, wherein:

said blocks positioned and adjusted front to back in said channels in said base;

said blocks are slotted to allow side to side adjustment to accommodate different wheelchair dimensions;

said blocks shaped to prevent the wheelchair from rolling forward and backwards and sliding left and right when bolted into position.

22. The container of claim 12 further comprising:

a second observation port located on a side different from said first observation port.

23. The container of claim 17 wherein:

said anchors are bolted in said channels in said base on either side of the wheelchair;

said straps are positioned through the wheelchair frame.

24. The container of claim 18, wherein:

said anchors are bolted in said channels in front and behind a wheelchair wheel;

straps are positioned over the wheelchair wheel.