LARGE CARGO CARRIER

Abstract

The invention relates to a large load carrier having a pallet-shaped base component (4) which has a rectangular planform, wherein the large cargo carrier (1) includes a tension-belt receiving element (7) which is arranged on at least one outer wall (3) of the large cargo carrier (1). Thus, it is provided that the tension belt receiving element (7) is arranged within the at least one outer wall (3) of the large load carrier (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system including a large load carrier (1) of this type and a tension belt (6).

Description

The invention relates to a large cargo carrier for receiving and transporting goods and to a system including at least one, preferably two or plural large cargo carriers stacked on top of one another and at least one tension belt.

Large cargo carriers are typically transported by trucks or shipped e.g. in TEU-standard containers. The large cargo carriers typically include a pallet-shaped base component which can have e.g. the dimensions of Europool pallets which are industrial pallets that are also designated Europallets, and can include circumferentially arranged sidewalls, which are typically arranged at the base component so that they are at least partially foldable. Standard dimensions of the planforms of the large cargo carriers are e.g. 800×600 mm, 1200×800 mm, 1200×1000 mm and 1200×1600 mm. These dimensions offer an optimum geometry for transportation in a truck or in a TEU-standard container with respect to logistics and space utilization.

The height of large cargo carriers of this type calculated from the contact surface of the large cargo carrier on the ground up to the upper edge of the sidewalls is typically 1000 mm which however is not a real limitation, the height is rather selected according to the respective application. Large cargo carriers with this shape are easily stackable, so that the provided transport volumes can e.g. be used in a truck.

The invention furthermore relates in particular to load safety for large cargo carriers of this type. Load safety is securing loads in road-, railroad-, air- and sea-transportation and storage. Insufficient or incorrectly applied or lacking load safety can lead to a sliding of the load and in case of stacked large containers or large cargo carriers to a dropping of the upper cargo container or of the upper cargo containers.

Therefore large cargo carriers that are stacked on top of one another are often enveloped with a plastic foil or bands for load safety. It is also quite common to secure the large cargo carriers stacked on top of one another in a truck with transversal beams, struts or similar against sliding. A disadvantage of these solutions is that this directly leads to unnecessary additional consumption of packing material or that it depends from the properties of the inner space in the truck or in the TEU-container whether sufficient load safety can be provided.

It is also know from DE 10 2008 020 431 A1 to arrange a corner base of a cargo carrier so that it protrudes beyond an associated base edge and to provide a knob shaped protrusion on the protruding front edge of the corner base. The knob shaped protrusion thus forms a forward delineation of a base-shaped recess for receiving a cargo safety belt.

It is disadvantageous that the receiving capacity of the cargo carrier is volume reduced through the protruding base. Between two stacks of cargo carriers arranged adjacent to one another, there is always a residual gap which reduces the transport volume and the space provided in the truck cannot be utilized to its full extent.

Another disadvantage is that the knob shaped protrusion on the corner base forms a portion that is exposed to the risk of impact and fracture. Also the protruding corner base itself can e.g. be damaged easily when maneuvering the cargo carrier with a forklift through interlocking at adjacent cargo carriers.

Furthermore it is disadvantageous for the configuration according to DE 10 2008 020 431 A1 that with the corner base also the tension belt protrudes beyond the associated base edge wherein the tension belt is unprotected. This requires additional costly measures for protecting the tension belt, e.g. through arranging a contacting protection lug.

It is the object of the invention to provide a large cargo carrier which facilitates a simple safety through tension belts in a manner that saves and does not damage the tension belts while still providing a space saving configuration for the large cargo carrier.

The object is achieved through a large cargo carrier with the features according to claim 1 and for a system through the features according to claim 9 wherein advantageous embodiments are characterized by the features in the independent claims.

According to the invention it is provided that a large cargo carrier includes a pallet-shaped base component with an essentially rectangular planform, wherein the large cargo carrier includes a tension belt receiving element that is arranged at least at one exterior wall of the large cargo carrier, wherein the tension belt receiving element is arranged within the at least one exterior wall of the large cargo carrier. This means configured without a protrusion relative to the outer wall surface and does not protrude beyond the in particular rectangular planform of the base component in an advantageous manner.

Thus it is particularly preferred that a tension belt received in the tension belt receiving element is completely integrated in the outer wall, this means does not protrude over the rectangular cross-section of the base component and the sidewall that is flush therewith.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tension belt receiving element is restrained in upward direction and restrained in downward direction through a lower edge. Thus, the upper edge and the lower edge are arranged flush with the at least one outer wall of the large cargo carrier, this means no portion of the tension belt receiving element protrudes in outward direction beyond the outer wall or the corner edge of the large cargo carrier.

Thus it is advantageous that the receiving element does not impair the outer dimension of the large cargo carrier so that its space saving configuration is maintained. This way, the large cargo carrier uses the pallet dimension in an optimum manner and can be packaged and transported together with other large cargo carriers and/or Europallets.

Preferably, the tension belt receiving element is configured as an outward open groove, whose groove base is offset in inward direction relative to the outer wall, or as a slot that is in particular angled from the outer wall in inward direction and at a slant angle in downward direction and configured open in outward direction, wherein the slot base is configured inward offset relative to the outer wall.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tension belt receiving element is configured in a corner edge or a corner of the large cargo carrier, preferably as an inward oriented recess of the corner edge, whose edges do not protrude in outward direction relative to the corner edge and the outer wall. This embodiment has advantages in that a user immediately sees the corner edge recess, so that he can automatically use it as a belt safety in practical applications. Additionally, the tension belt is protected in a very effective manner in the corner edge portion where it is at risk of being damaged from impacts.

According to one embodiment of the invention the large cargo carrier includes at least one edge bar, wherein the edge bar is suitable for receiving at least one sidewall and wherein the tension belt receiving element is arranged in the edge bar. The invention is also usable for large cargo carriers which do not have removable but foldable or fixated sidewalls. According to one embodiment of the invention, the large cargo carrier includes at least one side wall and the tension belt receiving element is arranged accordingly within the sidewall.

The height of the arrangement of the tension belt receiving element within the sidewall or the edge bar can vary in different embodiments. Preferably, the tension belt receiving element is arranged in the lower portion of the large cargo carrier, particularly preferably in the lower quarter. This has static advantages since tightening the tension belt in this portion in particular improves the portion where a large cargo carrier is in contact with a large cargo carrier placed thereunder. An additional advantage is that the tension belt is attachable at this level for typical sizes of the height of the large cargo carrier approximately at arm level for the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the large cargo carrier includes tension belt receiving elements in all four corner edges extending perpendicular to the base surface. This yields advantageously that the large cargo carrier can be tightened in any position on the truck, this means laterally, from the front or from behind. It is also possible to secure plural stacks of large cargo carriers relative to one another with tension belts.

According to one embodiment of the invention the tension belt receiving element is configured with a harder or softer coating or armor. Thus it can be provided to cover one portion with armor, preferably with a metal also softer or harder plastic component can be locally injected as an alternative in this portion in a second injection molding step. This is advantageous in that measures for protecting the tension belt against wear through friction at the tension belt receiving element can be implemented this way.

In a system with at least one, preferably two or three large cargo carriers stacked on top of one another and at least one tension belt, the at least one tension belt interacts with the tension belt receiving element so that the at least one large cargo carrier is secured against sliding relative to its contact surface. The safety can thus be advantageously provided independently from additional safety elements that may be provided in the truck.

The large cargo carrier can also be secured in the truck through two or more tension belts which are arranged in a tension belt receiving element. Preferably, however, the large cargo carrier is secured through two tension belts at tension belt receiving elements that are arranged opposite to one another with respect to a sidewall.

Advantageously, at least one tension belt is arranged recessed relative to the outer wall, this means recessed into the corner edge. Advantageously, the tension belt at the corner edge does not protrude beyond the rectangular cross-section of the large cargo carrier and is thus not exposed to any friction at the adjacent stacks.

The tension belts and the tension belt receiving elements form a reusable load safety device so that no packaging waste is created by the safety of the large cargo carriers.

The tension belts that are being used are preferably tested according to the standards DIN 60060, VDI 2701 and/or EN 12195-2.

Additional advantages and configurations of the invention are described with reference to advantageous embodiments in the drawing figure. Elements with like configuration and function are designated with identical reference numerals in all figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a system with two large cargo carriers and tension belts stacked on top of one another;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a corner portion of a large cargo carrier;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the corner portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates another side view of the corner portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of two large cargo carriers stacked on top of one another;

FIG. 6 illustrates a lateral view of two large cargo carriers from FIG. 5 stacked on top of one another;

FIG. 7 illustrates another lateral view of two large cargo carriers from FIG. 5 stacked on top of one another;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a corner portion of a system with two large cargo carriers and a tension belt stacked on top of one another;

FIG. 9a illustrates a schematic view of a tension belt receiving element;

FIG. 9b illustrates another view of the tension belt receiving element from FIG. 9a;

FIG. 10a illustrates a perspective view of a tension belt receiving element; and

FIG. 10b illustrates another view of the tension belt receiving element from FIG. 10a.

FIG. 1 illustrates two large cargo carriers 1, 2 stacked on top of one another. The large cargo carriers 1, 2 are configured identical in an exemplary manner and respectively include an outer wall 3 illustrated from the front which includes a section that is formed by a pallet shaped base component 4 and by a section that is formed by a sidewall 5. This also applies for the other three outer walls that are not visible in this illustration. In this embodiment, the outer surfaces of the sidewall 5 and the base component 4 are essentially flush. The upper large cargo carrier 1 is secured against falling down through two tension belts 6 which are applied from the outside to the large cargo carrier 1.

The tension belts 6 extend through two tension belt receiving elements 7 arranged opposite to one another, wherein the tension belt receiving elements in this embodiment are arranged at the level of the base component 4 of the outer wall 3 of the upper large cargo carrier 1.

The tension belts 6 extend starting from the tension belt receiving elements 7 of the upper large cargo carrier 1 diametrically over the lower large cargo carrier 2, wherein the tension belts cross at an intersection point 60 approximately centrally over the outer wall 3 of the large cargo carrier 2. At the intersection point 60, the tension belt 6 can be attached at one another as required, e.g. with a clamp or a knotted band or similar. At their lower ends, the tension belts 6 are provided with attachment clamps wherein the tension belts 6 are fixatable at suitable locations like e.g. the lower large cargo carrier 2 at adjacent large cargo carriers or at suitable receivers in the space surrounding them, in particular at a loading platform of the truck.

The attachment elements 8 can be configured e.g. as hooks made from stainless steel, but also as loops with knots, as interlocking catches or as hook and loop closures, wherein various embodiments differ with respect to their safety features and with respect to their resistance against a pull force, this means with respect to their tear or fracture resistance.

The tension belts 6 are run at their upper ends over the tension belt receiving elements 7 and from there e.g. again downward for additional attachment which is not illustrated in detail. Additional attachment elements can be arranged at the non-illustrated end of the tension belts 6, wherein the attachment elements can be configured like the illustrated attachment elements 8. Thus it is advantageous when a tightening mechanism configured as an interlocking catch is arranged at least at one end of the tension belt 6, wherein the tightening mechanism is configured to tighten the tension belt 6. Other interlocking catches or ratchets which are made from stainless steel or zinc plated can generate tension forces up to 500 daN, which is typically sufficient for securing the cargo.

The tension belts 6 are advantageously made from polypropylene or polyester, wherein the different embodiments differ with respect to their tear resistance and can be configured for tear resistances up to 10000 daN.

The two or plural large cargo carriers 1, 2 stacked on top of one another form a system 9 together with the tension belt 6 according to the invention. A system 9 of this type is a typical transport unit in a truck or in a respective transport device. Thus at least the upper large cargo carrier 1 is configured with tension belt receiving elements 7. In the illustrated system 9, both large cargo carriers 1, 2 are configured with the respective tension belt receiving elements 7.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of a corner portion of a large cargo carrier 1 in a perspective view. The tension belt receiving element 7 is arranged according to this embodiment of the invention in the portion of the corner edge 7 of the large cargo carrier 1 and configured as a recess in the form of a groove 12 configured in inward direction from the corner edge 11. The corner edge 11 of the large cargo carrier can thus also be designated as a corner with reference to the planform.

The groove 12 includes an upper edge 13, a lower edge 14 and side edges 15. The upper edge 13 and the lower edge 14 extend in the illustrated embodiment over an angular section of the corner portion, wherein its flat projection together with the side edges 15 approximately yields a square. This, however, is not mandatory, thus the groove 12 can also have a longitudinal, rectangular shape, wherein the upper edge 13 and the lower edge 14 are accordingly configured longer than the side edges 15 and vice versa.

The upper edge 13 and the lower edge 14 of the groove 12 due to their support through the corner edge 11 are respectively arranged within the corner edge 11 and within two outer walls 3a, 3b of the large cargo carrier 1, so that the corner edges of the groove do not protrude in outward direction beyond the outer wall and corner edge of the carrier, in particular are flush therewith. This means that the inner cavity of the tension belt receiving element is offset in inward direction with respect to the outer surface of the outer walls 3a, 3b and the tension belt receiving element 7 therefore does not protrude in outward direction from the planes defined by the outer walls 3a, 3b and so that the tension belt receiving element is flush with the outer shape of the large cargo carrier. Thus the tension belt 6 is received and retained in the portion of the particularly shock exposed corner edge 11 within the outer walls 3a, 3b, so that the tension belt is protected at the exposed kinking location.

The upper edge 13 and the lower edge 14, like the side edges 15 of the groove 12, are advantageously configured rounded so that the tension belt 6 cannot get damaged. The corner edge 11 of the large cargo carrier 10 is also configured rounded for better handling. Thus the four outer walls 3a, 3b of the large cargo carrier 10 form a planform of the large cargo carrier 10 which is substantially rectangular besides the blunt corners 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, sidewalls with different height can be arranged in the large cargo carrier 1. For this purpose the large cargo carrier 10 includes edge bars 16 with respective known receiving devices 17, 18. The large cargo carrier furthermore includes support bases 19 which form components for the pallet shaped base component 4. Between the support bases 19 according to this embodiment, recesses 20 are arranged which are used for receiving forklift tongs and optionally the base bars 23 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tension belt receiving element 7 is configured at the level of the edge bar 16, which however is not mandatory. The tension belt receiving element 7 can also be introduced higher, namely in a sidewall 5 or also lower, e.g. at the level of the support bases 19.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, respective lateral views of the corner portion of the large cargo carrier 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 are shown. It is clearly visible that the groove 12 according to this embodiment extends symmetrically and with the same length into the adjacent outer walls 3a, 3b.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 illustrate views of two large cargo carriers 1, 2 stacked on top of one another. Nothing protrudes laterally beyond the substantially rectangular cross-section of the large cargo carriers 1, 2, so that this facilitates an optimum geometry for transportation in a truck or in a TEU container with respect to space utilization. In the illustrated embodiment, tension belt receiving elements 7 are provided at all four corner edges 11 of the two large cargo carriers 1, 2 wherein the corner edges 11 extend orthogonal to the base, so that the tension belts 6 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be tightened transversal to the shorter side 21 of the system 9 over the shorter side 21 of the system 9 illustrated in front view in FIG. 7 and also transversal to the longer side 22 of the system 9 illustrated in front view in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a front portion of the stack from FIG. 5 with a tension belt 6. Thus it is illustrated that the base component 4 of the upper large cargo carrier 1 with the sidewall 5 of the lower large cargo carrier 2 are adapted to one another so that they are flush on top of one another. In order to prevent sliding, the groove 12 is provided according to the invention in the portion of an edge bar 16 of the large cargo carrier 1, wherein the tension belt 6 is transversally tightened over the corner edge 11. Through the corner edge 11, the tension belt 6 kinks in the illustrated embodiment so that there is a sensitive spot 24 for tearing the tension belt 6. Arranging the tension belt receiving element 7 according to the invention within the outer walls 3a, 3b facilitates completely recessing the tension belt 6 in the corner edge 11. Put differently, the tension belt 6 does not protrude in the portion of the corner edge 11 beyond the outer dimensions of the sidewall 5 or the base components 4. This prevents that the tension belt 6 at its kinking location 24 with other systems 9 or crates or for example can also come in contact with a truck wall which creates undesirable friction at the tension belt kink 24.

In FIGS. 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b, two embodiments of the tension belt receiving element 7 are illustrated. For clarity reasons, the tension belt 6 is not illustrated. FIGS. 9a and 9b perspectively and in profile illustrate a tension belt receiving element 7, which is configured as an open groove 12. The open groove 12 is a recess whose defining main surface, this means the surface with the largest area is formed by the groove base 25 which is formed herein by the two groove base sections 25a, 25b. The groove base sections 25a, 25b are respectively arranged approximately parallel to the outer walls 3a, 3b of the large cargo carrier 1.

The tension belt receiving element 7 in an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b can be configured as a slot 26. The slot 26 is characterized in that its main surfaces, this means the surfaces with the largest area, reach from an outside of at least one outer wall 3a, 3b into an interior 27 of the outer wall 3a, 3b of the large container 1. Its outside opening 28 and the slot base 30 on the other hand side are configured relatively narrow.

As illustrated, the slot 26, this means a lower main surface 31 which forms the contact surface for the tension belt, is arranged with a slanted downward angle from the outer wall 3a towards the interior 27 so that the tension belt cannot slide out. Thus while a tension belt that is e.g. band-shaped is wound for the open groove 12 with its main surface parallel to the outer walls 3a, 3b about the corner 11, it forms an angle with the outer walls 3a, 3b preferably between 30 degrees and 60 degrees when contacting in the slot 26.

In all embodiments of the invention, the tension belt receiver 7 can have a harder or softer portion 29. The portion 29 can be provided with metal fittings reinforced through additional injection molding, gluing or in other ways, so that a wear of the tension belt 6 in the portion of the contact surface 29 is prevented.

Claims

1. The invention relates to a large cargo carrier comprising four sidewalls (5) and a pallet-shaped base component (4) which has a rectangular planform, wherein each side wall forms an outer wall (3) of the large cargo carrier (1) with the base component and the large cargo carrier (1) includes at least one tension band receiving element (7) arranged at least at one corner edge of the large cargo carrier, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is arranged within the at least one outer wall (3) of the large load carrier (1) and configured relative to the outer wall surface without protrusion, wherein the outer surface of the sidewall (5) and of the base component (4) are preferably essentially flush.

2. The large cargo carrier according to claim 1, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is retained in upward direction through an upper edge (13) and retained in downward direction through a lower edge (14) and the upper edge (13) and the lower edge (14) are arranged flush with the at least one outer wall (3) of the large cargo carrier (1).

3. The large cargo carrier according to claim 1, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is configured as a groove (12) which is configured open towards an outside and whose groove base (25) is configured offset inward relative to the outer wall (3).

4. The large cargo carrier according to claim 1, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is configured as a slot (26) that is angled inward at a slanted downward angle from the outside, wherein the slot is configured open in outward direction and whose slot base (25) is configured offset in inward direction relative to the outer wall (3).

5. The large cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is configured in a corner edge (11) of the large cargo carrier (1).

6. The large cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the large cargo carrier (1) includes at least one sidewall (5) or an edge bar (16) which is configured for receiving at least one sidewall (5) and the tension belt receiving element is arranged within the at least one sidewall (5) or edge bar (16).

7. The large cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the large cargo carrier (1) includes tension belt receiving elements at all four corner edges (11).

8. The large cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the tension belt receiving element (7) is configured with a harder or softer coating or armor.

9. A system including at least one, in particular two or plural large cargo carriers (1, 2) stacked on top of one another and at least one tension belt (6), wherein the at least one cargo carrier (1) is configured according to at least one of the claims 1 through 8, wherein the at least one tension belt (6) interacts with the tension belt receiving element (7) so that the at least one large cargo carrier (1) is secured against sliding relative to its contact surface.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the at least tension belt (7) is configured recessed at one corner edge (11) of the system (9) relative to the outer wall (3) in the tension belt receiving element (7).