A MODULAR FITMENT AND ASSEMBLY TO SUPPORT AND SEPARATE GOODS

Abstract: A nestable modular, right angular device with connection facilities (14, 15, 16) to link to and accept linking from other matching devices in both horizontal and vertical planes so that a versatile assembleable, dismantleable array or layers or cells may be formed to support and separate unit or unitised loads in storage, transit or display for any purpose within any environment.

Description: PA E TITLE: A MODULAR FITMENT AND ASSEMBLY TO SUPPORT AND SEPARATE GOODS RELATED TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the methods and equipment used to provide separation and support facilities for unit and unitised loads in storage, transportation and display functions. BACKGROUND ART Unit or Unitised loads of goods which are fragile, deformable, uneven in height, in a process change condition such as drying, curing, setting etc., or are incompatible with neighbouring loads should be kept separate or supported during storage or transportation or display. It is well known to achieve this by means of a variety of Racking, Shelving or Decking arrangements. In storage and display applications such assemblies are made up out of separate and different individual items such as vertical, horizontal and cross members, clamps, sheets, planks, beams, rollers, etc. and once erected represent a finite spacial structure with a particular volumetric capacity which best utilises the available height and surface areas available. This is fine when the actual needs are as forecast when the structures were planned. However in times of reduced need they stand empty but still take up the same room as if full; whilst in situations where more separation and support facilities are needed than available in the structures it is common to use additional, less suitable means to hold the goods. These practises include, block stacking, storing just one load high, storing in the open, renting additional space, or even in extreme cases stepping operations because the means to support and separate the products safely and in good condition is full; all of which can incur additional costs and put the product themselves at risk through physical damage or deterioration. In the . case of provis on o separat on an support ng o goo s n trans t a similar situation exists but in this case the means is usually the formation of a 'half deck ' within a closed unit such as a container box or open top lorry flats. Such half decking arrangements have the effect of converting the units to permanent special purpose articles. This represents a severe logistical complication in the case of container boxes and a waste of facility in both containers and lorries when the half deck is still carried but not required to be erected. The invention is a nestable, modular, right angular device with connection facilities to link to and accept linking from other matching devices in both horizontal and vertical planes so that a versatile assembleable, dismantleable array of layers or cells may be formed to support and separate unit or unitised loads. In the Storage and Display situation the invented modules are taken from their space saving nested state and used to separate and support ONLY THE NUMBER OF LOADS BEING HELD AT ANY ONE TIME, albeit not matching the tremendous height of special purpose fixed racking constructed for automated storage and retrieval of unit and unitised loads. If more loads come in; then more modules are put to use: As loads are withdrawn; the freed modules are returned to the nested stock. In such a manner only the space needed to hold the goods is used, leaving the "unused space available for other operations. During situations when more space is required than exists in a particular area, the modules, which are portable and designed to suite the particular needs of an enterprise product range, can be used to separate and support the products in a separate area or location, providing the same efficiency and safety features of the main application. In the Transport situation, not only can the modules be used to form a half deck within a closed contained or on a lorry flat, they can also form a Dartial half a standard box to a 'special' for that particular journey, to return it to its standard state on removal of the contents at its destination. Such a capability can significantly affect the amount of pay load carried per journey, especially of variable and mixed manifests, and keep the products safe in transit. It is hoped that in general use the modules might be provided by a materials handling service company on a hire-de-hire basis sufficient to single journeys, but that in closed, company restricted transportation they might be owned and administered by that company. According to the present invention there is provided a storage module comprising an L-shaped member constituted by a platform and a supporting limb wherein the said platform has a connection or connections for interlocking with one or more next adjacent L-shaped members in an array of such L-shaped members. The present invention also provides a storage assembly comprising an interlocked array of said storage modules. The L-shaped member preferably has connections for interlocking with at least two next adjacent L-shaped members in the array of such L-shaped members. The connections are preferably located on the free edge of the platform furthest from the supporting limb of the L-shaped member (the forward edge) and on the edge of the platform adjacent the supporting limb (in the rearward edge) respectively. The L-shaped member thus has connections for forward and rearward interlocking with the next adjacent forward and rearward L-shaped member respectively, and the array of storage modules is interlocked in a forward and rearward sense. Lateral connections and lateral interlocking are generally unnecessary in most circumstances, but may be provided if additional stability is required, as for example if the array of storage modules is to be subjected to violent motion, for example in the hold of a ship. Lateral connect ons may also be provided in place of forward and rearward connections. The connections for interlocking the L-shaped members will generally be of male/ female type in which a male component on one L-shaped member interlocks with 0 a female component on the next adjacent L-shaped member (for example hook and eye connections or pin and socket connections). It will normally be convenient for all L-shaped members in the array to be identical and this may be achieved by suitable positioning of the male and female components of the connection. Thus for example a L-shaped member may carry a male component 5 of the cnnection on the forward edge of the platform and a female component at a corresponding position of the rearward edge of the platform (or vice versa). Interlocking between identical L-shaped members in the array may thus be achieved in a forward and rearward sense. The invention is not however limited to connections of the male/female type and other connections, for example magnetic 0 connections, may also be used. Multi-storey storage assemblies may be built up by assembling one array of inter¬ locked storage modules on top of another. Additional stability may be obtained if desired by providing locating means between the platform of the L-shaped 5 member and the feet of the supporting limbs of the next storey of interlocked . L-shaped members. The nature of the platform of the L-shaped member may be varied to suit the load to be placed in the storage assembly. Thus the platform may for example 0 be a continuous or foraminate sheet or may be made up from tines or from mesh. The platform may also be shaped to receive a specific article, for example fragile comestibles such a fruit or eggs. The supporting limb of the L-shaped member may similarly take a variety of forms and may be a continuous or foraminate sheet or one or more supporting columns. * 5 The modules may also be constructed of proprietary "Punched holes" angle system which usually form the basis of a variety of bolted together articles including Racking installations. From such materials the modules may be rendered adjustable in height and length ^0 to form groups of either matching or different, but connectable, variations. It is possible that with such materials, attendant additional ventϊllation & reduced heat or cold retention might prove to be attractive for certain cargoes. 15 Such modules of punched holes angle could also become attractive on a one trip basis, especially to third world countries, where they may be used as modular racking or re-assembled into fixed racking on a three party payment deal between the Seller, Shipper and Customer. 0 Normally the 'L' formation will be rigid and nestable but a variation can be formed, whereby a foldable, lockable design, to and from the right angle, could be desirable in certain return to owner situation. It will be appreciated that the first storage module in a storage assembly will 5 be open in that the platform will not be interlocked to anything. The first storage modules in an arraymust be supported. Thus the storage assembly may be tied in to a wall or other vertical surface by providing suirable connection components on the wall or vertical surface for interlocking with the platform(s) of the first storage module(s). This provides a convenient method for tying a 0 multi-storey storage assembly to a wall for additional stability. If the storage assembly is to be placed in a container for transportation, the vertical surfaξ ■Slli having suitable connection components for interlocking with the platform(s) of the first storage mσdule(s) may be a frame which is itself secured to the container. The frame provides for ready mounting and demounting of the storage assembly in the container. When the storage assembly is free standing and is not tied in to any wall or other vertical surface, the first storage module may advantageously be supported or closed by an end piece having a suitable component for interlocking with the platform of the first storage module. The L-shaped members may be constructed for example from metal or plastics material in the form for example of rod, tube, girder or sheet. The sizes of the group of matching individual modular fitments which can form an array of layers or cells for support and separation of goods are scaled to suite the goods themselves. For example, in one scale, two layers of three modules could split a one metre cube Post Pallet of Cage into three decks which could allow goods resting on the decks to be picked up for transportation or storage as a unitised load. In another scale, one layer of ten modules, two across, five along a 20 ' x 8 ' high x 8 ' across (i.e. approx. a 4' module) Container could form a half deck to support separate loads the size of the post pallet or cage from the * first example Splitting a container in this manner can obviate a present problem of loads carried on SLIP SHEETS suffering from poor ventilation. Although the new B.O.P. Sheet, which has all the space saving characteristics of a Slip Sheet but is handled by normal lift truck forks , does provide reasonable ventillation spaces; they may be used to advantage in conjunction with the invented modules for uneven topped loads stacked two high or unitised loads which must be kept "one high" because of load fragility. The arrangement of Layers and Cells formed by the assembly of the invented modules are especially suitable for the storage of materials such as the following: (1) Filled plastic bottles which deform on stacking; (2) Printed paper or board in which the ink sticks if stacked in excessive heights; (3) Uneven loads, for example loads consisting of drums of different heights; (4) Mixed loads, for example palletised loads of drums, packs; and (5) Loads which must be maintained separately for example a mixed load of incompatible chemicals. (6) Drying, setting and curing of a variety of In-Process articles, and also in assembleable arrangements to form domestic, business and individual furniture such as beds, chairs, mass seating desks, work stations etc. In the following drawings which show by way of example only, various embodiments of the pesent invention:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the assembleable - dismantleable right angular module of the present invention and is constituted by a platform 12 and a supporting limb formed by two vertical members 13 each having sockets 14 at their feet to provide vertical connection facility when mated to a matching module via its protrusions 15. The horizontal connection facility is provided by sockets - 16 at the trailing edge of platform 12 and bar 17 at the platforms leading edge; bar 17 of one module connecting into sockets 16 of a forward module whilst presenting its own sockets 16 for reception of of bar 17 or a rearward module. Figure 2 is an end view of the module of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a sectional view of a means of starting an array of platforms or cells with modules as Fig 2 from a wall 18; the socket 19 providing the reception connections for the modules' bars 17. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the module of Figure 1 assembled to a wall by means as shown in Figure 3. A rearward and a vertically connected module are shown in dotted detail to demonstrate how an array of platform or cells may be assembled and dismantled. Figure 5 Shows an end piece 20 for use in starting a free standing assembly of modules of Figure 1. It comprises reception connection sockets 23 mounted on crossbar 21 supported by Posts 22 and a module in dotted detail is shown to demonstrate the assembling principle. Figure 6 Shows a means of assembling the reception connection 27 for starting an array of platforms or cells or modules of the invention within a closed transport facility 26. The connections 27 are carried at two levels supported by vertical posts 24 with screw jacks 25 to enable the device to be assembled and stripped as required. Figure 7 Shows how mixed loads of various forms and weights may be separated and supported within a closed transport facility using modules as in Figure 1 and the assembleable strippable reception connections device of Figure 6. Figure 8 Shows how an array of platforms or cells formed as in Figure 7, in which the modules are normally stripped out with load removal from the front end of the transport facility, may, if required. In side unloading remain in an assembled state. In this way particular loads for particular destinations may be stored and separated at random but remain fully accessable for unloading. Figure 9 Is an end view of the assembly of the modules of Figure 1 to the reception connection means of Figure 6. Such an assembly could form cells, or three support decks within such a closed transport facility. It is thought that the more attractive arrangement will be whereby the platforms of the modules are of such a height as to split a closed transport facility vertically in two to provide a "half deck for separation and support of palletϊsd loads.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A nestable, modular, right angular device, constructed by a platform and supporting limb, with connections to link to and receive linking from other matching devices both in horizontal and vertical planes so that they may be formed into an assembleable, dismantleable array of layers or cells. 5 2. The device of Claim 1 whereby the right angle formed by the platform and the support limb is rigid. 3. The device of Claim 1 whereby the platform and the support limb are 10 lockable in the right angle and foldable together when not in use. 4. The devices of Claim 1 to 3 whereby the lengths of the platform and/or the height of the support limb are adjustable. 15 5. The devices of Claims 1 to 4 whereby the materials of construction and the design of the platform and support limb are any specified to best suit the embodiment of the device selected; the goods to be separated, supported, or displayed; the array of layers or cells required; and the environment of the application. 20 6. Applications of the devices in Claims 1 to 5 whereby the arrays of layers or cells are commenced from static reception connection fixed as suitable spacings to a wall. 25 7. Applications of the devices in Claims 1 to 5 whereby the arrays of layers or cells are commenced from reception connections mounted on a CAGE or POST PALLET, a TROLLEY or similar, movable, load unitisation articles. 8. Applications of the devices in Claims 1 to 5 whereby the arrays of layers or cells are commenced from reception connections affixed to and within a transportation module such as a CONTAINER, BOX CAR, LONG - HAUL TRAILER, SHIP OR AEROPLANE. 9. The Application of Claim 8 whereby the arrays of layers or cells may be commenced from reception connections which are portable and affixable to enable all or part of the available space within the transportation module to carry an arry of layers or cells to support and separate goods during a particular journey allowing both the devices of Claims 1 to 5 and the portable initial reception connection facility to be removed at the journeys end when the carried goods are unloaded, so returning the transportation module back to its standard state. 10. Applications of the device in Claims 1 to 5 to separate and support goods on and above lorry flats by means of arrays or layers or cells commenced from fixed or assembleable reception connections. 11. A means of commencing an array of the devices in Claims 1 to 5 and applications 6 to 10 whereby in place of fixed or portable reception connection means, an array of platform or cells may be commenced by connecting a modular device to a separate second support limb at the leading edge of its platform member. The reception connection of the augmented device, normally placed at its trailing end is then rendered firm and available for accepting linking from a normal device. Such augmentation of separate support links may be repeated to provide the starting points of particular horizontal and vertical formation of layers or cells as required 12. A method of assembling an array of layers or cells using any of the devices in Claims 1 to 5 , applications 6 to 10 and commencing means 11 whereby the devices are connected to each other, manually and/or mechanically in an ongoing manner with placement of the loads to be supported and separated and then removed for nesting from the array thus formed also in an ongoing manner with the removal of the loads from the array. 13. An array of layers of cells formed from the devices in Claims 1 to 5 , applications 6 to 10 and commencing means 11 whereby the array is maintained in a statically assembled state and the goods stored in and retrieved from the layers or cells formed without addition or depletion of the array formation. 14. Systems comprising any associated items to be used in conjunction with the devices in Claims 1 to 5 for their application in particular environments such as DOMESTIC, BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, SPORT OR ENTERTAINMENT.

Inventors: FARR KENNETH, FARR, KENNETH
Applicants: FARR KENNETH, FARR, KENNETH
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A47B87
IPC codes: A47B87