US 8,261,924 B2 · Folding containers

Abstract

A collapsible air freight container (10) comprises a standard base (12), a side panel (16) slideably hinged to the base and a back panel (18) which is hinged to the base which interlocks with the side panel. There is a side extension (20) which is generally trapezoidal to roughly conform to the shape of a side wall of a plane's cargo hold. A lid is slideably mounted on top of the container so that it can be slid relative to the back panel. The lid is arranged so that when fully retracted to the back of the container relative to the back panel, it may pivot to overlay the back panel. The container may be collapsed by retracting and pivoting the lid to overlie the back panel (18), folding the side extension (20), folding and sliding the side panel (16) into the base (12) and lowering the folded side extension (20) and then the back panel (18) and lid (40) into the base.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A collapsible folding freight container for air transport, having an erected state and a collapsed or folded state, the container comprising:

a base;
a side panel mounted to the base such the side panel may be folded over the base;
an end panel mounted to the base such the end panel may be folded over the base;
a side extension assembly including a frame and a collapsible side extension, the side extension having an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration and wherein in the collapsed configuration the side extension and frame may be folded over the base;
and
a lid slidably mounted between two of the frame, the side panel and the end panel and being pivotable relative to the other of the two panels or frame, wherein when the end panel is folded over the base the lid locates above the other of the two panels or the frame.

3 more elements

A collapsible folding freight container for air transport, having an erected state and a collapsed or folded state, the container comprising:

a base;
a side panel mounted to the base;
an end panel mounted to the base;
a side extension assembly including a frame and a collapsible side extension, the side extension having an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration and wherein in the collapsed configuration the side extension and frame may be folded over the base;
and
a lid which in the erected state locates on an may be supported by the side panel, end panel and the frame;
and wherein
the side extension assembly further comprises;
a pair of end panels which are pivotally mounted to opposed vertical sides of the frame;
a side extension lid;
and
side extension panels which are mounted to lower horizontal members of the frame and/or the side extension lid and/or each other, the arrangement being such that in the collapsed state the end panels and side extension lid and panels locate within the frame.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Folding containers

Life of this patent

Folding containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18