Carbon fiber air cargo container
AssigneeGstc LLC
InventorsGideon P. Searle, Theodore Bobrick Root, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an air cargo container formed from a plurality of fiber-reinforced (e.g., carbon fiber) composite panels. The use of fiber reinforcement provides for an increased strength-to-weight ratio as compared to existing air cargo containers. Furthermore, the present invention also includes air cargo containers having convex side panels, which decreases the chance of damage to the container or to its contents in the event of an impact. The air cargo container is collapsible, with panels able to be stacked for more efficient storage.
Claims18
A container, comprising:
- a frame defining a skeleton of the container;
- a top panel and a bottom panel, attached to the frame;
- a plurality of side panels, each attached to the frame;
- and
- at least one retaining bag attached to an interior surface of the top panel, the bottom panel, and/or one or more of the plurality of side panels;
- wherein the frame, the top panel, the bottom panel, and the plurality of side panels define a sealed interior compartment of the container;
- wherein the at least one retaining bag includes packaging material and is operable to be inflated and/or deflated;
- and
- wherein cable guides are attached to outside surfaces of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the plurality of side panels, wherein the cable guides secure at least one cable around an outside of the container, and wherein tightening the at least one cable secures connections between the top panel, the bottom panel, and the plurality of side panels.
A container, comprising:
- a frame defining a skeleton of the container;
- a top panel and a bottom panel;
- a plurality of side panels, each attached to the frame;
- and
- at least one inflatable element attached to an interior surface of the top panel, the bottom panel, and/or one or more of the plurality of side panels;
- wherein the frame, the top panel, the bottom panel, and the plurality of side panels define a sealed interior compartment of the container;
- wherein at least one of the plurality of side panels is convex relative to the sealed interior compartment of the container;
- wherein the at least one inflatable element includes packaging material;
- and
- wherein the at least one inflatable element includes an intake valve, wherein when opened, allows the at least one inflatable element to take in air until the at least one inflatable element is fully inflated.
A container, comprising:
- a frame defining a skeleton of the container;
- a plurality of panels, at least one attached to the frame via fasteners;
- at least one retaining bag attached to an interior surface of at least one of the plurality of panels;
- wherein the frame and the plurality of panels define a sealed interior compartment of the container;
- wherein the at least one retaining bag includes packaging material and is operable to be inflated and/or deflated;
- and
- wherein cable guides are attached to outside surfaces of the plurality of panels, wherein the cable guides secure at least one cable around an outside of the container, and wherein tightening the at least one cable secures connections between the plurality of panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.