Air freight container

Claim 1

An air freight container for shipping pressure-sensitive goods, such as garments which are transported in the suspended position, comprising a scaffold-like frame having a torsional capacity within certain limits, said frame being positionable within the principal freight space of a transport aircraft which freight space extends in the elongated direction of the aircraft, said frame comprising a rectangular base part arranged to extend transversely of and in the elongated direction of the freight space, at least two end frame parts arranged to extend transversely of the elongated direction of the freight space and spaced apart in the elongated direction thereof, said end parts shaped to conform to the interior contour of the freight space and being mounted on and extending upwardly from said base part, a plurality of transverse connectors connected to and extending in the elongated direction of the freight space between said end frame parts and spaced above said base part, diagonal braces each having a lower end secured to said base part and an upper end secured to one of said end frame parts, said diagonal braces extending upwardly from said base part in the elongated direction of the freight space, each said end frame part comprising a plurality of pipe sections including first pipe sections extending upwardly from said base part and second pipe sections extending upwardly from the upper ends of said first pipe sections and disposed angularly to said first pipe sections and being shaped in the transverse direction of the freight space to conform to the interior shape of the freight space, said base part comprising third pipe sections extending in the elongated direction of said freight space and fourth pipe sections extending transversely of said third pipe sections, said third and fourth pipe sections having the same transverse cross sectional shape as said first and second pipe sections of said end frame parts, said transverse connectors having the same transverse cross sectional shape as said pipe sections forming said end frame parts and said base part, and connecting means interconnecting said base parts and said end frame parts, said end frame parts and said transverse connectors, and said diagonal braces to said base parts and said end frame parts, said connecting means comprising rigidly connected sleeves with the interior shape of the sleeves conforming to the exterior shape of said pipe sections forming said base part and said end frame parts and to the exterior shape of said transverse connectors and diagonal braces, and threaded members threaded into said sleeves for securing said base part, end frame parts, transverse connectors and diagonal struts therein.