Multiple container and rack system

A multiple container and rack system is disclosed in which the unit may be used both as a transport and storage module. The rack assembly permits stacking of each module one on top of another. The frame permits the transmission of vertical and longitudinal loads therethrough. Means are provided to secure the frame assembly together such that individual containers may be secured therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to storage containers, and more 
particularly to modularized units which may be combined to form a multiple 
container and rack system. 
There are a multitude of shipping containers and the like available in the 
art. Examples of such containers may be found in the following U.S. Pat. 
Nos. Kohlhaas 3,185,379; Heller et al 3,490,769; and Downing et al 
3,797,727. These containers are used to store and transport various 
articles therein. However, once the above-referenced containers are 
received at the end user, the transported articles therein are most 
generally removed from such container and stored in a separate storage bin 
or the like. Hence, this type container is only of general utility in 
transporting articles. 
Storage containers or units in which a multiplicity of articles may be 
stored in a multiplicity of storage containers or bins are disclosed in 
the following United States patents Nos: Wilson 3,887,126 and Marquette 
3,891,288. The Wilson device has limited utility in that specially 
designed containers are utilized to fit within the storage rack. The 
Marquette system is limited in that the rack system is designed for a 
specific number of containers. The rack system is complete by itself and 
there are no provisions for expanding the rack system for additional or 
added storage. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple 
container and rack system which is formed from a modularized assembly such 
that the individual modular units may be stacked one upon the other. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a multiple container and 
rack system which may be used for both transporting and storage of 
articles. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a multiple container and 
rack system in which the rack framework may be readily assembled and 
disassembled, said rack frame in the assembled condition being stable 
against vertical and horizontal forces. 
SUMMARY 
A multiple container and rack system is formed of a modularized frame 
assembly which permits stacking one on top of the other. The frame post 
members are formed at the upper ends thereof to readily accept and secure 
another modular frame therein in the stacked condition. Means permit 
securing the side assemblies with the end assembly of the modularized 
unit, yet readily permit disassembly of said unit. A multiplicity of 
suitable containers are mounted within each individual modular unit. 
Other objects, details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become 
apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiments thereof 
presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which illustrates the 
exemplary embodiments of the improved multiple container and rack system 
of this invention, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 
20. The multiple container and rack system is comprised of a multiplicity 
of modular units 20a 20b, and 20c. The modular units are supported upon a 
base member 21. The respective modular units support therewithin a 
multiplicity of individual containers or bins 22 as seen in modular units 
20b and 20c. Modular unit 20a is seen to comprise an open bin 23 which may 
be used for larger articles. 
Each rack system 20, comprised of a plurality of modular units, is 
preferably supported upon a base member 21 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The 
base member 21 may be formed of any suitable substantially rigid material 
such as steel or wood. The member 21 is generally of a rectangular shape, 
complementally dimensioned to correspond to the modular units. Each base 
member 21 includes a base plate 24 having an upstanding restraining means 
or flange 25 perimetrically oriented about the base plate and suitably 
secured thereto. A pair of supporting foot members 26 are secured to the 
base plate 24. The foot members are each reinforced by ribs 27 
appropriately spaced to provide convenient openings for accepting standard 
carriage forks generally associated with material handling fork lift 
trucks. 
The stacked modular units seen in FIG. 1 are either supported by a pan 
member 28 (FIG. 3) or a ring member 31 (FIG. 4). As seen in FIG. 3, the 
pan member 28 is comprised of a base plate 29 having an upstanding 
restraining flange 30 secured thereto about the perimeter. It may be noted 
that the pan member 28 is very similar to the base member 21 except that 
the pan member 28 does not include the foot members. As seen in FIG. 4, 
the ring member 31 is comprised of an upstanding flange 32 defining the 
perimeter of an area substantially the same as the pan member 28. The 
flange 32 is formed with an inwardly directed supporting lip 33. The pan 
member 28 and ring member 31 are dimensionally formed so as to be 
complemental with the frame assembly 34 (FIG. 5) such that the frame 
assembly 34 is supported in the respective ring or pan member in a 
relatively tight frictional fit by the respective flanges 30 and 32 or the 
flange 25 of the base member 21. 
The frame assembly 34 is seen in FIG. 5 to comprise a pair of end members 
35 and a pair of side members 36. When assembled and combined with a base 
member, the frame assembly 34 and a suitable base or pan or ring member 
define a modular unit as shown in FIG. 1. Each base member vertical 
restrain-member 25, 30, or 32 is formed with inwardly projecting securing 
means or barbs 44. The barbs 44 are so formed that the frame assembly 34 
will be securely retaining within the base member through the cooperation 
of the barbs 44 with the member 39 of the frame assembly 34. The barbs 44 
thus prevent vertical displacement of the frame assembly 34. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the end member is seen to comprise a pair of 
corner posts 37 fixably secured by any suitable means at the upper end 
thereof to a substantially U-shaped rail or flange member 38. Each corner 
post 37 is formed of an angle member. The upper end of each corner post 37 
is flared outwardly at 37a. The rail 38 is secured to each post 37 such 
that the upper surface of the rail 38 substantially aligns with the 
outward flaring portion of the post 37. When assembled, the outwardly 
flared portions 37a of the respective corner posts are dimensionally 
formed so as to receive in a tight fit the pan or ring members 28 and 31, 
as particularly seen in FIG. 1. 
The lower end of each corner post 37 is secured by any suitable means to an 
L-shaped angle member 39. A suitable bottom panel (not shown) of 
fiberboard or the like is supported by the inwardly projecting portion of 
angle member 39. The bottom panel urges the end member 35 apart and 
prevents inward movement of said members due to externally applied forces. 
In some instances, suitable end panels 45 and side panel 46 (FIG. 1) of 
fiberboard or the like are placed within the frame assembly 34 to define 
closed side and end portions. 
A guide member 40 is formed near the upper end of each corner post 37. The 
guide member 40 may be formed in any suitable means. In the example shown, 
the member 40 is punched out of the corner post 37 and bent inwardly so as 
to define a sliding channel as seen in FIG. 6. The sliding channel of the 
guide member 40 cooperatively receives the angle member 43 of the side leg 
means 42 as seen in FIGS. 9-11. The respective legs 42 are secured at the 
upper ends thereof by any suitable means to the side rail member 41. The 
rail member 41 is formed in a substantially U-shape. 
The rail members 38 and 41 provide a flat bearing surface for supporting a 
stacked modular unit thereupon. In addition, the substantially U-shaped 
rail members permit the end panels 45 and side panels 46 to be retained 
within the channel portion of the respective rail members. A plurality of 
containers 22 or the like may then be placed within each module unit to 
provide compartments for storage and transportation of articles. If the 
respective containers 22 are of a lesser depth than the depth of the 
modular unit, the side panel 46 may be removed and additional containers 
22 may be inserted from the back side of the modular unit. This would 
provide dual side entrance to the articles stored within the respective 
modular unit. In some instances, it may be desirable to utilize the 
modular unit as an open bin type unit. This use is shown in FIG. 1 as 
modular unit 20a. In this embodiment, a second side panel 47 may be used 
to define the front of the modular unit. A suitable angle rail 48 is 
placed over the upper edge of the panel 47 to provide edge protection 
therefor. The rail 48 may be detachably secured to the corner posts 37 by 
any suitable means. 
As seen in FIG. 1, the respective corner posts 37 of each modular unit are 
stacked one above the other in the rack system 20. Vertical loads are thus 
transmitted through the corner posts of each modular unit. It may be 
further seen that the respective rail members accept and transmit 
horizontal forces which may be generated by the physical movement of such 
system. Although FIG. 1 only shows modular units stacked one upon the 
other, it is possible to stack a second system including the base member 
21 upon a modular unit. The foot members 26 are so positioned that they 
will fit within the area defined by the respective rail members and 
outwardly flared portions of the corner posts. Although the flared portion 
37a is shown as being integral with the corner post 37, it is obvious that 
the flared portion 37a could be separated formed and then fixed secured to 
each corner post. 
Any desirable configuration of container 22 may be utilized in each modular 
unit. A particularly adaptable open faced container is described in my 
copending application entitled "Collapsible Container" and filed 
simultaneously herewith. 
It is seen that a multiple container and rack system has been described 
which is readily adaptable for transporting or storage of articles. In 
addition, the system may be used for both transporting and storage of the 
same articles. A plurality of modular units are combined to form the 
versatile system. Each individual modular unit may be easily assembled and 
disassembled. Accordingly, the objectives hereinbefore set forth have been 
accomplished. 
While present exemplary embodiments of this invention have been illustrated 
and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise 
variously embodied and practiced by those skilled in the art.