Container for ship capable of height adjustment

In a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof, a mobile post capable of adjusting its height is more firmly supported with a simple structure. A container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof includes a bottom plate on which goods are placed, a wall plate installed to erect at one side of the bottom plate, a fixed post installed at the wall plate, a mobile post installed at the fixed post and capable of ascending and descending by being guide by the fixed post over a predetermined length with respect to the fixed post, and a support bar having one end portion hinge-coupled to the mobile post and the other end portion fixed to the wall plate to support the mobile post at an angle. Thus, the strength of the mobile post is reinforced when the mobile post ascends; a load concentrating on the mobile post is distributed by the inclined structure so that a firm support is possible; durability of a product can be improved; by forming the key protrusion on the pin, more firm fixing and easy use are made possible; when the mobile post is completed lowered, the support bars are folded and included so that the volume of the support bars is minimized; and automatic ascending and descending of the mobile post is possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof, and more particularly, to a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof in which a mobile post capable of adjusting its height is more firmly supported with a simple structure and simultaneously the height of the mobile posts can be fixed.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a container for a ship is widely used as a device for holding goods in water transportation. The container for a ship has a space inside to hold goods and is referred to as a transportation equipment having a box shape manufactured according to a set specification to be used with interlink with at least one transportation method.

The containers can be accumulated on a ship so that a large quantity of goods can be transported. Also, the container is widely used because it is counted as a unit of delivery during loading or unloading work.

However, since a conventional container for a ship cannot adjust its height, when goods having height over the height of the container is loaded, the container must be placed on the top layer of the stacked containers because other containers cannot be stacked thereon, or an additional fee must be paid for an unused space above the over-height container.

To solve the above problem a container for a ship capable of adjusting its height by installed a mobile post that can be raised or lowered at a fixed post has been developed. However, the conventional height adjustable container has a problem that the mobile post having a limited strength according to a general specification cannot endure several or tens of tons concentrated thereon, which prevents realization of the container.

Also, since a load is concentrated on a pin for fixing the height by penetrating the mobile post and a pinhole, the pin is easily damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof in which a strength of a mobile post is reinforced when the mobile post is raised, a load concentrated on the mobile post is distributed by an inclined structure so that the mobile pos can be more firmly supported, and durability of the container can be improved.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof in which a pin is installed at a support bar to prevent a load overly acting on the pin and a pinhole for fixing the height, and a key protrusion is formed on the pin to enable firm fixing and facilitate an easy use thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof in which, when the mobile post is completely lowered, a volume occupied by the support bar that is included and folded can be minimized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof in which the mobile post can be automatically lifted.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof comprising a bottom plate on which goods are placed, a wall plate installed to erect at one side of the bottom plate, a fixed post installed at the wall plate, a mobile post installed at the fixed post and capable of ascending and descending by being guide by the fixed post over a predetermined length with respect to the fixed post, and a support bar having one end portion hinge-coupled to the mobile post and the other end portion fixed to the wall plate to support the mobile post at an angle.

It is preferred in the present invention that the one end portion of the support bar is hinge-coupled to a corner cast of each of the fixed posts installed at the left and right sides of the wall plate at one side of the bottom plate and the other end portion is hinge-coupled b a pin penetrating one of a plurality of pinholes formed in both fixed plates horizontally formed on an upper surface of the wall plate parallel to each other, so that the fixed posts are supported and fixed as a pair of the support bars, supporting the mobile posts and facing each other, cross in form of “V” or “X”.

It is preferred in the present invention that the mobile post is completely lowered, the support bars are folded parallel to each other to be included between both fixed plates.

It is preferred in the present invention that an actuator is installed at the other end portion of each he support bar so that the mobile post is automatically ascends or descends as the position of the other end portion of the support bar changes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, as shown inFIG. 1, a container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a flat lock container for a ship having open upper and lateral sides and includes a bottom plate10, a wall plate20, a fixed post30, a mobile post40, and a support bar50.

Here, the bottom plate10is a flat plate having an iron frame on which goods are placed. Also, the wall plate20is a flat plate having an iron frame that is hinge-coupled to the bottom plate10so that it is completely folded onto the bottom plate10or erected upright with respect to the bottom plate10.

The fixed post30is box-shaped and installed both sides of the wall plate20. The mobile post40is inserted into the fixed post30and slides and moves up and down therein. The mobile post40having a bar shape is inserted in the fixed post30and guided by the fixed post30so that it can freely move up and down over a predetermined height.

The support bar50of the present invention has one side end portion hinge-coupled to the mobile post40for supporting the mobile post40at an angle and the other end portion fixed to the wall plate20. The one end portion of the support bar50is hinge-coupled to a corner cast1of each of the mobile post40and the other end portion thereof is hinge-coupled by a pin56penetrating one of a plurality of pinholes54of both fixed plates52horizontally formed in parallel on the upper surface of the wall plate20.

Here, as shown inFIG. 2, when the mobile post40is completely lowered, both support bars50reclines horizontally in form of “11” to be included between both fixed plates52. When the mobile post40ascends to the middle height, as shown inFIG. 3, both support bars50cross in form of “X” to support and fix the both fixed posts30. When the mobile post40is completely lifted, as shown inFIG. 4, both support bars50cross in form of “V” to support both fixed posts30at an angle.

The pinholes54, as shown inFIG. 7, are formed parallel to the fixed plates52according to the height that the mobile post40ascends. A key groove54afor fixing the pin56inserted therein is formed at one side of each pinhole54.

Here, as shown inFIG. 7, the pin56includes a pin column561, a key protrusion562, and a rotational handle563. The pin column561has a shape of a cylinder to be inserted into the pinhole54. The key protrusion562is formed at the side of the pin column561and has a shape corresponding to the key groove54aformed in the fixed plates52. The rotational handle563is formed perpendicular to one end portion of the pin column561.

Thus, when the pin56is inserted into the pinhole54, a worker holding the rotational handle563rotates the pin column561together with the key protrusion562, such that the key protrusion562fits to the key groove54aformed in the pinhole54, and inserts the pin56into the pinhole54. When the pin column561is completely inserted into the pinhole54, the rotational handle563is rotated so that the pin56does not escape from the pinhole54. Accordingly, the key protrusion562is locked to the key groove54aso that the pin56does not escape therefrom.

Then, when the pin56is drawn from the pinhole54, the pin column561is rotated together with the key protrusion562by the rotational handle563until the key protrusion562fits to the key groove54a,so that the pin56can be drawn.

Here, the key groove54aformed in the pinhole54to be inclined at an angle with respect to a direction of gravity (downward). Accordingly, as the rotational handle563and the key protrusion562of the pin56inserted into the pinhole54normally face downward due to their weight, the key protrusion562is preferably deviated from the key groove54aand fixed thereby.

Fixing means having a variety of types and shapes can be used as the pin56and the pinhole54for fixing the support bars50. Technologies on the fixing means are well known and can be easily modified by those skilled in the art.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, when the mobile post40is completely lowered, the support bars50according to the present invention are folded to be included between both fixed plates52and reclined in form of “11” parallel to each other. Here, each of the support bars50is fixed by the pin56inserted into the pinhole54that is formed farthest from the center in the fixed plates52. Thus, when the mobile post40is completely lowered, volume occupied by the support bars50that is folded and included can be minimized.

As shown inFIG. 6, the pinhole54is formed at several positions in the fixed plates52according to the height of elevation of the mobile post40. To control the height of the mobile post40with the same interval, the interval between the pinholes54is greater in the central portion of the fixed plate52and narrower at the both end portions of the fixed plates52.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 5, a reinforcement member60for vertically supporting the center of the wall plate20may be further installed to distribute a force concentrated on the central portion of the fixed plate52. Since the types and shapes of the reinforcement member60are various, modification thereof can be easily done by those skilled in the art.

An actuator including a hydraulic cylinder or motor can be installed at the other end portion of the support bar50that is fixed at the wall plate20so that the mobile post40is automatically moved up and down as the position of the other end portion changes. That is, although not shown, a rail can be formed on the upper surface of the wall plate20so that the other end portion of the support bar50can slide on the rail, and a screw rod that is moved back and forth by a hydraulic cylinder or a motor is installed at the other end portion of the support bar50, so that the mobile post40can automatically move up and down by an angle of the support bar50.

Since the technology about the actuator is well known and already commercialized, those skilled in the art can modify the actuator within a range of technical concept of the present invention.

Thus, in the container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof according to the present invention, the support bars50are normally kept in form of “11” to minimize its volume, as shown inFIG. 2. When the size of goods is greater than the height of the wall plate20, the mobile post40is raised and the pin56is inserted into the pinhole54and a through hole (50a) formed in the other end portion of the support bar50. Accordingly, the support bar50is fixed in form of “X” or “V” and the mobile post40is firmly fixed.

Thus, when goods having heights over the height of the container are to be loaded, the mobile post40is raised over the height of the goods so that other containers can be stacked above the container, thus reducing an additional transportation cost much.

Also, since a thrust structure (a triangle structure) can bear a load of several or tens of tons acting on the mobile post40, strength and durability of a product are greatly improved. A load concentrated on the pin56and the pinhole54is distributed to the mobile post40so that durability of parts can be improved.

The container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof according to the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 8 through 11, an actuator (not shown) for lifting or reclining the fixed post30and the wall plate20with respect to the bottom plate10is installed to reduce space needed for keeping the fixed post30and the wall plate20.

That is, the fixed post30and the wall late20are installed to be hinge-coupled to be folded onto the bottom plate10. The actuator erects or reclines the fixed post20and the wall plate20between the fixed post30and the bottom plate10. Although a variety of actuators having different types and shapes can be installed, preferably, a hydraulic actuator70shown inFIGS. 8 through 11, or a mechanical actuator80shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, can be installed.

Here, the hydraulic actuator70includes a hydraulic jack72and a pressing rod74. The hydraulic actuator70is fixed to the bottom plate10. The piston10is extended or contracted as a detachable lever71is moved up and down so that working oil is pumped into a cylinder and the piston73is elevated by a hydraulic force.

Also, the pressing rod74is a link assembly which has one end portion hinge-coupled to the bottom plate10using the rule of a lever, a middle portion hinge-coupled to one end of the piston73, and the other end portion contacting the fixed post30. When the piston73expands, the other end portion of the pressing rod74presses the fixed post30to erect the fixed post30.

Thus, to erect the fixed post30, the hydraulic jack72is pumped by using the detachable lever71inserted into the hydraulic jack72shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, so that the piston73expands. When the piston73extends and presses the middle portion of the pressing rod74, the other end portion of the pressing rod74presses a round protrusion30aof the fixed protrusion30according to the rule of a lever because the one end portion of the pressing rod74is hinge-coupled. Thus, the fixed post30can be vertically erected, as shown inFIG. 11.

Also, to recline the erected fixed post30, a pressure exhaust valve (not shown) is open to decrease pressure in the cylinder of the hydraulic jack72so that the fixed post30is gradually reclined.

The above actuator can be configured with a variety of types and forms. A mechanical actuator80, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, can be used to accurately control the erection and folding operation of the fixed post by rotating a rotational shaft81in a forward or reverse direction.

That is, as shown inFIG. 12, the mechanical actuator80includes a mechanical jack82and the pressing rod74ofFIG. 8. The mechanical jack82is fixed at the bottom plate10and a jack end portion83is extended and contracted by means of the forward/reverse directional rotation of the rotational shaft81.

As an example of the mechanical jack, as shown inFIG. 12, a screw type jack may be used which extends or contracts the jack end portion83by means of a mobile portion86reciprocating to face each other along a double screw rod85connected to a detachable rotating rod84and a link rod87link-coupled to the mobile potion86.

Also, a gear type jack, as shown inFIG. 13, may be used as another example of the mechanical jack82. In the gear type jack, a forward/reverse rotational motion of the rotational shaft811connected to a detachable rotational rod841is converted to a rotational motion to a boss91by using a bevel gear assembly90. Thus, a mobile screw92screw-coupled to a boss91extends or contracts as moving up and down according to the rotation of the boss91.

Thus, by manually rotating the detachable rotational rod841in a forward/reverse direction or by connecting it to an automatic motor93to be selectively rotated in a forward/reverse direction, the fixed post30is erected or folded and simultaneously a folding angle or speed can be freely controlled. When the rotational shaft811is not rotated, since the fixed post30maintains a folding state as is, a damage to a worker due to an abrupt falling of the fixed post30can be prevented.

It is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment and can be modified by those skilled in the art within a range of a technical concept of the present invention.

For example, although in the above-described preferred embodiment the present invention is applied to a flat lock container for a ship, the present invention can be applied to all other containers. Also, the pin and pinhole are used as a fixing means in the above preferred embodiment, other various fixing means can be used for this purpose.

Thus, the scope of claiming the right in the present invention must be defined by the following claims and technical concepts thereof, not within the scope of the above detailed specification.

As described above, in the container for a ship capable of adjusting height thereof according to the present invention, the strength of the mobile post is reinforced when the mobile post ascends; a load concentrating on the mobile post is distributed by the inclined structure so that a firm support is possible; durability of a product can be improved; by forming the key protrusion on the pin, more firm fixing and easy use are made possible; when the mobile post is completed lowered, the support bars are folded and included so that the volume of the support bars is minimized; and automatic ascending and descending of the mobile post is possible.