Patent ID: 6299009
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B64D,B65D

Abstract:
A Collapsible, foldable freight container for air transport which, in the unfolded, operational position, has a stable shape and is self-supporting comprises:a frame structure provided on a base element, the base element having a plurality of longitudinal sides, the frame structure comprisesa) a front frame having an upper and lower horizontal and an inner and outer vertical, longitudinal side,b) a rear frame which lies opposite and parallel to the front frame and having an upper and lower horizontal and inner and outer vertical, longitudinal side,c) an inner side frame having an upper and lower horizontal and a rear and front vertical, longitudinal side,d) an outer upper side frame which lies opposite and parallel to the inner side frame and having an upper and lower horizontal and a rear and front vertical, longitudinal side,e) an outer lower side frame having an upper and lower horizontal and a rear and front inclined, longitudinal side and which is bordering with its upper horizontal longitudinal side on the lower horizontal longitudinal side of the outer upper side frame, whereby the outer lower side frame is inclined towards the base to the interior of the container, andf) a roof frame which lies opposite and parallel to the base element and having a rear, a front, an inner and an outer horizontal longitudinal side;whereby the front, the rear and the outer side frames delimit a container balcony;a first hinge connection having a vertical axis of rotation for joining the rear vertical longitudinal side of the inner side frame to the inner vertical longitudinal side of the rear frame to allow the inner side frame to pivot from an operational position to the rear frame;second hinge connections having a horizontal axis of rotation for joining the outer lower side frame to the outer upper side frame on their abutting longitudinal sides and for joining the upper horizontal longitudinal side of the outer upper side frame to the outer horizontal longitudinal side of the roof frame in a manner which allows a rotation of the outer lower side frame into the plane of the outer upper side frame and which allows for rotating of the outer upper side frame together with the outer lower side frame onto the roof frame; andthird hinge connections having a horizontal axis of rotation for joining each of the lower horizontal longitudinal sides of the rear frame and the front frame to first and second abutting horizontal longitudinal sides of the base element and for joining each of the upper horizontal longitudinal sides of the rear frame and the front frame to horizontal longitudinal sides of the roof frame in a manner which allows for rotation of the rear frame and the front frame about the horizontal axis in a parallelogram-like manner between an operational position and a folded position; andreleasable connections for creating a rigid, releasable connection between the side frames and at least one of the front frame, rear frame, roof frame and base element.