ACTUATABLE COUPLING UNIT AND SYSTEM OF MODULAR ACTUATABLE COUPLING UNITS

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an actuatable coupling unit for use with shipping containers. The coupling units include a post for receiving a storage item and a plurality of tubes having support arms, the tubes surrounding the post and the arms configured to carry an item. A tension mechanism is also provided, which serves to automatically rotate the tubes and arms when weight is placed on the adjacent lower tube. Indeed, movement of one of the tubes in an up and down direction correspondingly engages with and rotates the adjacent tubes to make shipping simpler.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/764,022, entitled “AN ACTUATABLE COUPLING UNIT AND SYSTEM OF MODULAR ACTUATABLE COUPLING UNITS” filed on Feb. 27, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of material handling, and more specifically to a material handling frame for use in shipping containers.

BACKGROUND

Shipping containers have been designed for various applications allowing to send various items to different locations. The current approach for shipping large items has been to simply provide a large frame that needs to be made for each specific large item.

As such, there is a need for a shipping frame that can accommodate large items while being adaptable to remove the large items from the shipping frame.

There is also a need for a frame for shipping containers that enables the loading and unloading of packaged components without the need to connect to any power sources and without any manual intervention required to prepare the package to receive the next part.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the disclosure provides an actuatable coupling unit for storing an item, the actuatable coupling unit comprising: a post for receiving the item; a plurality of tubes surrounding the post, each one of the plurality of tubes having an arm to support the storage item; a tension mechanism positioned within the post and operatively engaged with the plurality of tubes, the tension mechanism to bias the plurality of tubes in a direction, wherein movement of one of the plurality of tubes in the direction correspondingly engages with and rotates another one of the plurality of tubes.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a storage system comprising: a frame; a plurality of interconnected actuatable coupling units, the actuatable coupling units further comprising: a post; tubes surrounding the post, each one of the plurality of tubes having an arm to support the storage item; a tension mechanism positioned in the post and operatively engaged with the plurality of tubes, the tension mechanism to bias the plurality of tubes in a direction, wherein movement of one of the plurality of tubes in the direction correspondingly engages with and rotates another one of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the plurality of interconnected coupling units cooperates with one another to support items within the storage system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuatable coupling unit positioned within a portion of a frame, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of a tension mechanism of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tension mechanism positioned within the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a first enlarged perspective view of a tube of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a second enlarged perspective view of the tube of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a first enlarged perspective view of a sleeve of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a second enlarged perspective view of another sleeve of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a first enlarged perspective view of a post of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a second enlarged perspective view of the post of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rod positioned through the post, tube and sleeve of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1 in a first position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged rear cross-sectional view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 9A in the first position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A is a front view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1 in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B is an enlarged rear cross-sectional view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 10A in the second position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A is a front view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1 in a third position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B is an enlarged rear cross-sectional view of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 9A in the third position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of actuatable coupling units positioned within a frame, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the plurality of actuatable coupling units positioned within the frame of FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rod and a dowel having bushings, the rod and dowel positioned through the post, tube and sleeve of the actuatable coupling unit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The FIGURES are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used herein. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other or fixed to one another. “Coupled” may be used to indicated that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect (with other intervening elements between them) physical or electrical contact with each other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other (e.g. as in a cause and effect relationship).

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an actuatable coupling unit 10 secured to a portion of a shipping frame 15 is shown. The unit 10 is further comprised an elongated post 20 for receiving storage items, a plurality of tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C surrounding the post 20, and a tension mechanism (not shown) positioned within the post 20 and operatively engaged with the tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C. Each one of the tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, is further comprised of an arm 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, respectively, projecting outwardly from the tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C to support one of the items. In one embodiment, the arms 30, 30A, 30B, 30C can be welded directly onto the tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, or otherwise fastened, secured, or connected thereto. Although four tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C are shown having four respective arms 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that more or less tubes or arms can be used. For simplicity, the present application will refer to tubes 25 and arms 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tension mechanism 40 is shown comprised of a biasing member 45 connected to a sleeve 50, the sleeve 50 positioned in between the post 20 and the plurality of tubes 25. The tension mechanism 40 is further comprised of a dowel 55 extending from one side of the tube 25 to the other, opposed side of the tube 25. The biasing member 45 abuts against the dowel 55, the biasing member 45 positioned within the sleeve 50 and the post 20. The tube 25 and the sleeve 50 are both comprised of openings (not shown) to receive the dowel 55, such that the dowel 55 is fixed relative to both the tube 25 and the sleeve 50. The dowel 55 extends into a pair of axial slots 60 of the post 20. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 45 is a spring; however, other types of biasing mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The biasing member 45 rests on a base 65, the base 65 secured within and fixed to the post 20. As the base 65 is fixed within the post 20, the base 65 acts as a stop for the biasing member 45 to exert upward pressure on the sleeve 50. Put another way, the biasing member 45 biases the sleeve 50 in an upward direction relative to the post 20.

With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 8 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tubes 25 are further comprised of a pair of longitudinal slots 70, 72 and a pair of circumferential slots 75, 77 and the sleeves 50 are each further comprised of a pair of curved slots 80, 82. The post 20 is further comprised of a plurality of pairs of axial slots 60, 62, a plurality of pairs of radial slots 85, 87 and a plurality of grooves 90. The grooves 90 are configured to receive and secure the plurality of bases (not shown). In another embodiment, the grooves 90 are upside down T-shaped to facilitate the installation and securement of the base 65. Indeed, the bases 65 can be inserted into the lower portion of the upside-down T-shape of the groove 90 and pushed upwardly into the upper portion of the upside-down T-shape of the groove 90. A plurality of rods 95 are positioned through the tubes 25, sleeves 50 and pole 20. The rods 95 are secured at each end of the tubes 25 by fasteners 100, 102, but this type of fastener should not limit the scope of invention and other securing mechanisms are possible. As shown, the rods 95 penetrate each pair of longitudinal slots 70, 72, each pair of curved slots 80, 82 and each pair of radial slots 85, 87. Each one of the slots 70, 72, 80, 82, 85, 87 serve to limit the movement of the rod 95, and therefore the movement of the tubes 25 and sleeves 50 relative to themselves and the post 20. Indeed, the rods 95 are operatively engaged with the post 20 by radial slots 85, 87, in such a way that the rods 95 and post 20 cannot move axially (i.e. up and down) with respect to one another. The rods 95 can only move radially (i.e. rotate) with respect to the post 20 as the radial slots 85, 87 extend along the circumference of the post 20. Meanwhile, the longitudinal slots 70, 72 in the tubes 25, which extend along the axial length of the tubes 25, enable an up and down movement of the tubes 25 relative to the rods 95 and therefore the post 20. The up and down movement of the tube 25 forces the rods 95 along the curved path of curved slots 80, 82 of the sleeves 50, resulting in a rotational movement of the sleeve 50 relative to the up and down movement of the tube 25. With specific reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, it should be noted that the sleeve 50 in FIG. 6A has a slightly different shape than the sleeve 50 in FIG. 6B, which is further comprised of a retaining tab 97. The sleeve 50 having the retaining tab 97 may be utilized in different applications depending on the placement and use of the bases 65.

With reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooperation between the tubes 25, 25A, 25B, 25C tension mechanism 40 and post 20 are shown. In a first position at rest as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, tube 25A and corresponding arm 30A are shown in a pivoted position. In this pivoted position, the arm 30A is configured to receive an object for storage or for support but no weight has yet been placed on the arm 30A. Meanwhile, the tubes 25, 25B, 25C are shown in a storage position. In this first position, the lowermost biasing member 45A is in an extended state, exerting pressure on the lowermost dowel 55A. This upward force by the biasing member 45A ensures the dowel 55A is in the uppermost position in the axial slot 60 of the post 20. As the dowel 55A is secured in place to both the tube 25A and the sleeve 50B, the upper tubes 25, 25B, 25C, are in their uppermost positions. In a second position as specifically shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, weight has been placed on arm 30A such that the arm 30A and corresponding tube 25A have slid straight downwardly with respect to the post 20. In doing so, the dowel 55A, which is secured to the tube 25A and the sleeve 50B, pulls said sleeve 50B downwardly. Pulling the sleeve 50B downwardly engenders a corresponding rotational motion of the tube 25B. Indeed, the rod 95A, which travels through the post 20, sleeve 50B and tube 25B slides along the pair of curved slots (not shown) of the sleeve 50B. As the sleeve 50B cannot rotate, the downward movement of the sleeve 25A and sleeve 50B is translated into rotational movement of the sleeve 25B. The tube 25B is also permitted to rotate relative to the post 20 by means of dowel 55B sliding laterally along the pair of circumferential slots 75 of the tube 25B. In a third position as specifically shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, weight has been placed on arm 30B such that the arm 30B and corresponding tube 25B have slid downwardly with respect to the post 20. In doing so, the dowel 55B, which is secured to the tube 25B and the sleeve 50C, pulls the sleeve 50C downwardly. Pulling the sleeve 50C downwardly engenders a corresponding rotational motion of the tube 25C. Indeed, the rod 95B, which travels through the post 20, sleeve 50C and tube 25C slides along the pair of curved slots (not shown) of the sleeve 50C. As the sleeve 50C cannot rotate, the downward movement of the sleeves 25B, 50C is translated into rotational movement of the sleeve 25C. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the cycle of weight being placed on the arms 30A, 30B, 30C, 30 can continue for as many arms as there are along the post 20. In an embodiment, there are only two arms 30A, 30B, but in other embodiments more arms can be suitable.

It should be understood that the first, second and third positions are simply various positions of the actuatable coupling unit 10. More specifically, tube 25B and corresponding arm 30B in FIGS. 9A and 9B are in a first storage position, and pivot from this first storage position to a second non load bearing position shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. From this second non load bearing position, the tube 25B and 30B move downwardly to a third load-bearing position shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The tubes 25C, 25 and corresponding arms 30C, 30 similarly move between these three positions and back again. Meanwhile, the tube 25A and arm 30A only moves between two positions, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B (the first non load bearing position) to FIGS. 10A and 10B (the second load-bearing position). It should be further understood that the tube 25A and corresponding sleeve 50A may have less slots than the other tubes 25B, 25C, 25 and sleeves 50B, 50C, 50 because the tube 25A and sleeve 50A only move up and down and do not require rotation. In another embodiment, the tube 25A and sleeve 50A can be manually rotatable into a storage position. It should also be understood that although the unit 10 is shown working vertically, it can also function horizontally or at another angle, as the weight of an object and biasing members will still actuate the up, down and rotational movement.

With further reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that in the third position, when weight is removed from the arm 30B, the upward pressure of the biasing member 45B pushes the dowel 55B and correspondingly rotates the tube 25B and arm 30B back to the second position shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Similarly, in the second position, when weight is removed from the arm 30A, the upward pressure of the biasing member 45A pushes the dowel 55A and correspondingly rotates the tube 25A and arm 30A back to the first position shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage system is shown, the storage system comprised of a plurality of actuatable coupling units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H positioned within and secured to a shipping frame 15. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the actuatable coupling units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H cooperate with one another to support larger items that may take up space within the frame 15. The number of actuatable coupling units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H can vary based on the size and load requirements of the item to be shipped or transported by frame 15. The actuatable coupling units 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H are modular within the frame 15, such that they can be removed, added, or moved from one position to another. It should also be understood that the number of arms per coupling unit 10 can be varied based on the parameters of the item being shipped. The shape and size of the arms can also be varied for further accommodating the item to be shipped. For example, if the item being shipped requires it not to be scratched, then the arms can be smooth or round. Specific material can also be used to provide a suitable application for the shipping or transport.

In another embodiment, it is possible to swap the respective location of the sleeves and tubes. The positioning of the sleeves sandwiched in between the tubes and the post should not be considered necessary, and the positioning of the sleeves can instead be outside of the tubes, the tubes being sandwiched in between the sleeves and post. Similarly, the sleeves and tubes described herein have a variety of slots to force a radial movement of one component upon the axial movement of another. However, different positioning of the slots on the sleeves and tubes can be possible, provided that the cooperation between the slots engender corresponding axial and radial movements.

With reference to FIG. 14 and according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, both a dowel 155 and a rod 195 are shown positioned through the tube 125, sleeve 150 and pole 120. In the present embodiment, a pair of bushings 130, 132 surround the extremities of the dowel 155. These bushings 130, 132 facilitate the radial movement of the dowel 195. The dowel 155 in this embodiment has tapered ends 140, 142 to receive the bushings 130, 132. The rod 195 also has tapered ends 150, 152 to receive a second pair of bushings 160, 162 to facilitate movement of the rod 195.

A person understanding this present disclosure may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An actuatable coupling unit for storing an item, the actuatable

coupling unit comprising:

a post for receiving the item;

a plurality of tubes surrounding the post, each one of the plurality of tubes having an arm to support the storage item;

a tension mechanism positioned in the post and operatively engaged with the plurality of tubes, the tension mechanism to bias the plurality of tubes in a direction,

wherein movement of one of the plurality of tubes in the direction correspondingly engages with and rotates another one of the plurality of tubes.

2. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 1 wherein the tension mechanism is further comprised of a biasing member connected to a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is positioned in between the post and the plurality of tubes.

3. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 2 wherein the sleeve is further comprised of a pair of curved slots, at least one of the plurality of tubes is further comprised of a pair of longitudinal slots, wherein the post is further comprised of at least one pair of radial slots and at least one pair of axial slots, and wherein the plurality of tubes is further comprised of a pair of circumferential slots.

4. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 3 wherein the tension mechanism is further comprised of a dowel extending from one side of the plurality of tubes to another opposed side, through the plurality of tubes, the sleeve and the pair of axial slots of the post.

5. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 4 wherein the biasing member dowel abuts against the dowel.

6. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 3 further comprising a rod, the rod extending from one side of the plurality of tubes to another opposed side, through the pair of longitudinal slots, curved slots and radial slots.

7. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 6, wherein each one of the plurality of tubes is moveable along the post, and wherein the rod is configured to slide along the pair of curved slots and the pair of longitudinal slots and impart a radial movement on one of the tubes of the plurality of tubes based on an axial movement of an adjacent tube of the plurality of tubes.

8. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 6, wherein the rod has tapered ends configured to receive a pair of bushings, the pair of bushings to facilitate movement of the rod.

9. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 4, wherein the dowel has tapered ends configured to receive a pair of bushings to facilitate movement of the dowel.

10. A storage system comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of interconnected actuatable coupling units, the actuatable coupling units further comprising: a post; tubes surrounding the post, each one of the plurality of tubes having an arm to support the storage item; a tension mechanism positioned in the post and operatively engaged with the plurality of tubes, wherein the tension mechanism biases the plurality of tubes in a direction, wherein movement of one of the plurality of tubes in the direction correspondingly engages with and rotates another one of the plurality of tubes,

wherein the plurality of interconnected coupling units cooperates with one another to support items in the storage system.

11. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 10, wherein the tension mechanism is further comprised of a biasing member connected to a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is positioned in between the post and the plurality of tubes.

12. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 11, wherein the sleeve is further comprised of a pair of curved slots, wherein at least one of the plurality of tubes is further comprised of a pair of longitudinal slots, wherein the post is further comprised of at least one pair of radial slots and at least one pair of axial slots, and wherein the plurality of tubes is further comprised of a pair of circumferential slots.

13. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 12, wherein the tension mechanism is further comprised of a dowel extending from one side of the plurality of tubes to another opposed side, through the plurality of tubes, the sleeve and the pair of axial slots of the post.

14. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 13, wherein the biasing member dowel abuts against the dowel.

15. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 12, further comprising a rod, the rod extending from one side of the plurality of tubes to another opposed side, through the pair of longitudinal slots, curved slots and radial slots.

16. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 15, wherein each one of the plurality of tubes is moveable along the post, wherein the rod is configured to slide along the pair of curved slots and the pair of longitudinal slots and impart a radial movement on one of the tubes of the plurality of tubes based on an axial movement of an adjacent tube of the plurality of tubes.

17. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 15, wherein the rod has tapered ends configured to receive a pair of bushings that facilitate movement of the rod.

18. The actuatable coupling unit of claim 13, wherein the dowel has tapered ends configured to receive a pair of bushings that facilitate movement of the dowel.