Freight container utilization and to a pallet therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to the transport of cargo in containers, especially cargo which would usually be transported as bulk cargo, for example coils of sheet steel. The problem of securely loading cargo within a container is overcome by the present invention by utilizing a plurality of pallets which in combination occupy the floor space of a container and using the required number of pallets, whether loaded or not, to provide pallet load location and restraint. For the anticipated bulk cargo comprising loads of up to 10,000 kg, and between 10,000 and 25,000 kg, two pallet sizes are envisaged a longer size being twice as long as a shorter size. The preferred pallets have a width equal of the width of the container. For a container capable of carrying 30,000 kg, three load configurations are contemplated, namely: four of the shorter pallets with each loaded at say 7,000 kg, two of the large pallets with each loaded at say 13,000 kg, or one large pallet and two small pallets with only the large pallet loaded at say 25,000 kg. The unloaded pallets serve as localized restraint for the loaded pallet. The invention further proposes a pallet for use in the method comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending ground contacting surfaces which serve to distribute load to the outer one third of the width thereof. The center one third is clear. The pallet further comprises a load receiving cradle which provides longitudinal restraint between oppositely inclined surfaces. Adjustable lateral restraint means is provided including repositionable legs upstanding from the load receiving cradle or bars which are pivotally and slidably adustably mounted with respect to the pallet for lateral adjustment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.