US3749273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular container
Assignee: Avco Corp
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Filing: 1971-05-17
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure illustrates a container module adapted to be readily interconnected with a series of identical modules to form an array of containers that may be configured to standard forms suitable for use with standard handling equipment. The container has vertical structural corner posts having releasable latches adjacent their upper and lower ends to laterally interconnect the module with adjacent modules. Additional latches provide a vertical connection with other stacked modules. A number of specific latch arrangements are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 D Munro
- 👤 K Wreghitt
- 👤 P Pusey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:23
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/0006; B65D2590/00; B65D2590/0008; B65D2590/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A container module comprising: a generally rectangular shell; structural vertical posts forming the vertical sides of one wall of said shell; latching means for releasably laterally securing said container module to a like adjacent module, said latching means comprising an upper set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the upper ends of said posts and a lower set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the lower ends of said posts, the first elements of each set being releasably laterally interengageable with the second elements of each set to secure together said container module and said adjacent module against both tensile and shear forces between said modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A container module comprising: a generally rectangular shell; structural vertical posts forming the vertical sides of one wall of said shell; latching means for releasably laterally securing said container module to a like adjacent module, said latching means comprising an upper set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the upper ends of said posts and a lower set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the lower ends of said posts, the first elements of each set being releasably laterally interengageable with the second elements of each set to secure together said container module and said adjacent module against both tensile and shear forces between said modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container module as in claim 1 wherein said posts have recesses receiving said first element when it is interengaged with said second element for resisting shear forces between adjacent modules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A container module as in claim 1 wherein: said first elements in said sets are adjacent the upper end of one post at one corner of said wall and adjacent the lower end of the post at the opposite corner of said wall, respectively; whereby the latching means permits flexibility in connecting with similar means on adjacent container modules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A container module as in claim 1 wherein: the first element of said latching means comprises a beam having a through bore and pivotally mounted to one of said posts; and the second element comprises at least one flange with at least one opening and a pin adapted to be fitted through the opening and said bore to releasably secure the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A container module as in claim 4 wherein said latching means further comprises a central shaft journaled to said post, a sleeve secured to said shaft and eccentric with respect to the axis thereof, said sleeve forming a journal for said pivotal element whereby said sleeve may be rotated to laterally position the pivotal element for a limited extent to align the bore with the opening in said flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container module as in claim 5 wherein said latching means further comprises a knurled bushing secured to said eccentric sleeve and a locking element adapted to be telescoped over said sleeve and abut the post to prevent rotation of said eccentric Sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A container module as in claim 1 wherein said first element comprises a conical element threaded onto a bolt pivotally supported by one of said posts and said second element comprises a generally conical bore formed in said post and adapted to be aligned with a conical bore in an adjacent post whereby the bolt is tightened to releasably secure the posts in alignment; whereby the conical element resists a substantial shear load across the junction of said post with an adjacent post and the bolt resists the tensile forces caused by bending.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A container module as in claim 7 wherein said conical bushing is pivotally mounted to the upper corner of one post at one end of a wall and to the lower corner of a post at the other end of the same wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A container module as in claim 1 wherein: said first element comprises a handle pivotally mounted to one of said posts and a hook pivotally mounted on said handle, the pivotal mounting for said hook being spaced from the pivotal mounting of said handle; said second element comprises a pin engageable by said hook whereby the handle is rotated to pull adjacent posts together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A container module as in claim 8 wherein said handle is pivotally mounted adjacent the upper end of one post at one corner of said wall and adjacent the lower end of a post at the other corner of the same wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container module as in claim 9 wherein said posts have recesses receiving said handle and hook when it is interengaged with said pin for resisting shear forces between adjacent modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A container module as in claim 1 including four posts, and wherein: sets of first and second elements are on all faces of the module; each post has a face incorporated in adjacent walls, each post having the first element of said latching element on the upper face of the post incorporated in one wall and said second element of said latching element on the lower portion incorporated in the same wall, said post having the second element of said latching means on the upper portion of the face incorporated in the adjacent wall and the first element of the latching means on the lower portion of the face incorporated in the adjacent wall; whereby the container modules may be integrated in any orientation into an array of modules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container module as in claim 1 further comprising latching means for releasably attaching said module to an upper or lower module whereby the modules may be vertically stacked.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A container module as in claim 13 further comprising interfitting tabs and openings on said vertical posts for interengagement with tabs and openings on container modules stacked on top of or beneath said container module, thereby resisting horizontal shear loads between said stacked container modules.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A container module as in claim 1 leaving four vertical posts extending beneath the generally rectangular shell to form a recess permitting four way entry of means for lifting the container module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
An array of container modules comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular shells, each shell having at least two structural vertical posts on the corners of said shell; and latching means for releasably securing said posts to adjacent container modules, said latching means comprising an upper set of first and second elements and a lower set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said posts, at least one of said first elements in one shell releasably interengaged with at least one of said second elements on said second shell to resist tensile and shear forces between container modules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
An array of container modules comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular shells, each shell having at least two structural vertical posts on the corners of said shell; and latching means for releasably securing said posts to adjacent container modules, said latching means comprising an upper set of first and second elements and a lower set of first and second elements positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said posts, at least one of said first elements in one shell releasably interengaged with at least one of said second elements on said second shell to resist tensile and shear forces between container modules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An array of container modules as in claim 16 wherein said first and second elements are positioned in alternate patterns on said posts whereby the array of container modules may be positioned.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An array of container modules as in claim 17 further comprising latching means for vertically releasably securing the modules whereBy said modules may be vertically stacked.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |