Abstract:
A large load carrier having a rectangular, palette-like floor part and lengthwise and crosswise side walls that rise from the floor part. Either the lengthwise side walls or the crosswise side walls have contact points for several frames disposed one above the other, in the region against the other side walls, as carriers for the inserts (layers) that carry the goods to be transported. The side walls can be folded on top of one another towards the inside, and the frames are releasably mounted in the contact points.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to a large load carrier having a rectangular, pallet-like floor part and lengthwise and crosswise side walls that rise from the floor part. The lengthwise side walls or the crosswise side walls have contact points for several frames disposed one above the other, in an area against the other side walls, as carriers for the inserts (layers) that carry the goods to be transported.  
         [0003]     2. The Prior Art  
         [0004]     Up to the present, steel large load carriers have been used, which are either welded completely or have four corner profiles and three crosswise profiles that are screwed onto a base frame. Movable frames onto which work piece accommodations (layers) can be attached can be pushed through a bore in the corner profile on the crosswise side wall, for example, and then be secured by means of a screw or a plug-in fixation element. Gas pressure springs are used laterally on the frames, in order to hold the brackets in the flipped-up state at the top. The work pieces stored on the individual layers are worked off from the topmost layer down, in automobile production, for example. This layer is then flipped up, together with the frame, so that the layer that lies underneath becomes accessible.  
         [0005]     A disadvantage of these steel large load carriers is that they always have the same outside volume, during transport back and forth and during storage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a large load carrier where after removal of the work pieces that have been delivered, the container can be collapsed, in order to save both storage space and return transport costs.  
         [0007]     This object is accomplished according to the invention by a carrier having side walls that can be folded on top of one another towards the inside, and having frames releasably mounted in the contact points.  
         [0008]     The advantages that result from this become clear in the following example. As an example, two large containers according to the invention are delivered, each of them having three layers with frames and work piece carriers.  
         [0009]     Each container has contact points for six frames. After both large containers have been emptied, the frames with the work piece carriers are removed from one of the large containers, and inserted into the other large load carrier, so that the large load carrier now has such frames on all of the contact points, while the first large load carrier is completely empty. This can then be collapsed in a known manner, so that the lengthwise side walls are first folded on top of one another, and then the two crosswise side walls.  
         [0010]     In the case of such collapsible large load carriers, bores are integrated into the crosswise side walls in a fixed interval pattern, for example. The bores accommodate the rotation axles of the frames as well as the attachment of the gas springs on the container side.  
         [0011]     Since the locks for the lengthwise and crosswise side walls are situated in the upper edge region in the collapsible large load carriers, there is no room there for such bores, and that is also true for the lower container region, i.e., the hinge region.  
         [0012]     Therefore, if contact points for the frames mentioned above are also required in these regions, there can be provided strips for the contact points of the frames, which strips are vertically disposed and take up the entire height of the crosswise side walls. The strips can be attached on the inside of the crosswise side walls, through the bores in the crosswise side walls. However, depending on the embodiment, the contact points can also be provided in the lengthwise side walls.  
         [0013]     If such a container is supposed to be collapsed after having been emptied, the strips attached to the crosswise side walls are removed, and laid flat into the floor of the container. Afterwards, the container can be collapsed.  
         [0014]     The frames, as said above, are mounted to pivot in the contact points, and are held in their pivoted position by means of gas pressure springs. Such contact points can be provided by the crosswise side wall bores themselves, as stated above.  
         [0015]     The contact points can be bores in the strips, disposed vertically one above the other. The points of rotation of the frames can be formed by tabs.  
         [0016]     As an alternative, bolts can be attached in the strips, which bolts form the pivot axles of the frame. For this purpose, the lengthwise strut of the frame on the contact point side is extended beyond the crosswise struts. Since the frame is formed from rectangular profiles, a part is cut out of the edge region of the frame extension, so that an accommodation opening for the bolt is formed and thereby it is assured that the frame will not slip out of this accommodation opening when it is pivoted up.  
         [0017]     A sleeve or the bolt can be inserted into each of the strip bores, and this sleeve or this bolt, respectively, together with a ball head, is disposed on a flat crosspiece that fits into a complementary recess on the back of the strip. The ball head projects past the strip on the side. This ball head serves as the attachment of the gas pressure spring on the container side.  
         [0018]     Strips are screwed onto the crosswise side walls, specifically through some bores that are present in the crosswise side walls. The strips can be set onto the heads of screws inserted into the bores of the crosswise side walls, similar to what is usual for picture frame hangers.  
         [0019]     Oblong holes are provided in the strips, in the upper region of which a plug element is provided. The plug element can be set onto the screw head attached in the crosswise side wall.  
         [0020]     With this solution, it is possible to pull off the strips easily after a container has been emptied, and to lay them flat onto the floor of the container, before the container is collapsed.  
         [0021]     The side of the strip that faces the frame has slots that run from the front at a slant to the back, to accommodate the frame pivot axles. In this manner, it is possible simply to push the frames with the work piece accommodations into the container.  
         [0022]     With this alternative, gas pressure springs are not necessarily required, since after a work piece accommodation has been emptied, it can be pulled out of the container, along with the frame.  
         [0023]     In order for the frames to maintain their parallel distance from one another, spacer elements are provided on the frame, disposed at a right angle on the plane that passes through the frame. These are disposed in the front, free frame region, in such a manner that the lower frame forms the support for the frame disposed above it, with its spacer elements.  
         [0024]     Alternatively, strips can be disposed on the lengthwise side wall, which is removed from the contact points. Supports for the free front part of the frames, which supports can be folded out and in, are provided at defined intervals on the strips.  
         [0025]     The supports are held by means of the magnets in their folded-in state. In the folded-down state, they therefore also serve as spacers. After the frame is pivoted, these supports are folded up against the strip.  
         [0026]     Finally, a bracket for the uppermost frame is provided on the lengthwise side wall that is removed from the contact points. The shank of the bracket, facing the container, rests on the front frame part. Thus, if the spacer elements are provided, all of the layers are secured by the bracket to prevent vertical movement.  
         [0027]     The bracket is attached to a part of the lengthwise side wall that can be folded out. These folding parts serve to make the contents of the container more easily accessible. Such regions that can be folded out can be present both in the lengthwise side walls and in the crosswise side walls.  
         [0028]     As soon as such a part, on which the bracket is attached, has been folded down, the uppermost frame is automatically unlocked. It can now either be taken out of the container, according to one alternative, or it can be pivoted away upward after the work pieces have been removed.  
         [0029]     Existing large load carriers can be retrofitted with the strips and brackets in a simple manner.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.  
         [0031]     In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a collapsible large load container according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a large load carrier according to  FIG. 1 , with a lengthwise side wall and crosswise side wall left out;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 3   a  and  b  show strip elements for use with the container according to the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a detail A from  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 5   a  shows, in detail, a strip element with part of a frame;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5   b  shows an alternative frame configuration;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6   a  shows an alternative type of attachment of the strips from  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 6   b  shows a perspective representation of the type of attachment shown in  FIG. 6   a;    
         [0040]      FIGS. 7   a  and  b  show strips with support elements in the folded-out and folded-in state;  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  shows a front lengthwise side wall of a large load carrier with holder bracket for the uppermost frame; and  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  shows a large load carrier according to the state of the art. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0043]     In  FIG. 9 , a large load carrier is shown and indicated in general with the reference symbol  1 . It consists of a pallet-shaped floor part  2 , from which two crosswise side walls  3  and two lengthwise side walls  4  rise. In this case, floor part  2  is a base frame onto which four corner profiles  5  and three crosswise profiles  6  are screwed or welded.  
         [0044]     In the rear region of the container, contact points  7  are provided in the crosswise side walls  3 , in which four frames  8 , in the present case, are mounted so as to pivot. In this case, contact points  7  are bores present in the crosswise side walls  3 , and are secured by a screw or a plug-in fixation element. Pneumatic springs  9  are disposed on frame  8 , so that they can hold the frame up in the flipped-up state.  
         [0045]     Frames  8  each carry a work piece accommodation (layer)  10 . The work piece accommodations are worked off from top to bottom in production. Each worked-off layer  10  is then flipped up, so that the layer that lies underneath becomes accessible.  
         [0046]     Once the container has been emptied completely, it is transported back, and the outer volume is unchanged.  
         [0047]      FIG. 1  shows the fundamental concept of a large load carrier according to the invention. In the case of this large load carrier, partial regions  11  in the lengthwise and crosswise side walls can be folded out, in order to optimize the accessibility of the container.  
         [0048]     Both crosswise side walls  3  and lengthwise side walls  4  can be folded against one another and on top of one another, if container  1  has been completely emptied. As is evident from  FIG. 1 , bores  12  are integrated into the corner regions of side walls  3  and side walls  4 , respectively, in a certain pattern.  
         [0049]     A container  1  according to  FIG. 1  is also shown in  FIG. 2 . Here, one lengthwise side wall and one crosswise side wall have been left out for reasons of clarity. In crosswise side walls  3 , strips  13  are attached in the region against lengthwise side wall  4 , which take up the entire height of the container walls, and have contact points  7  on which a frame  8  is attached so as to pivot by means of tabs  14 , in each instance, as shown in the lower region of container  1 .  
         [0050]     Spacers  16  that project vertically upward are disposed in the front, free region  15  of frame  8 . Lower frame  8 , in each instance, therefore supports the frame situated above it.  
         [0051]     In the present example, strips  13  are attached in the bores of crosswise side walls  3  by three screws  17 . The configuration of strips  13  is more clearly evident from  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b .  FIG. 3   a  shows the strip from its side that faces into the container, while  FIG. 3   b  represents the back of the strip.  
         [0052]     Elements  17  as shown in Detail A in  FIG. 4  are attached to strips  13  at specific intervals. These elements  17  consist of a crosspiece  18  on the one side of which a sleeve or a journal  19  is disposed, and on the opposite side a ball-head screw  20 . Crosspiece  18  fits into a corresponding recess in the back of strip  13 , specifically in such a manner that ball head  20  projects past strip  13  on the side, and is disposed somewhat lower than journal  19 .  
         [0053]     Ball head  20  serves as a container-side attachment point for pneumatic spring  9  shown in  FIG. 9 . Journal or sleeve  19 , serve as contact points for the pivoting attachment of frame  8 .  
         [0054]     The component shown in  FIG. 4  is a standard part that can be used independent of the container series. Only strips  13  must be adapted accordingly.  
         [0055]     Tab  14  of the frame is attached with a screw here, as shown at the top. However, an alternative is shown in  FIG. 5   a , in which journal  19  projects beyond the front side of strip  13  and serves as a shaft for frame  8 . In this connection, frame  8  is configured in such a manner that rear part  21  of the frame projects laterally and has an opening  22 , in which journal  19  can be accommodated.  
         [0056]     However, it is a disadvantage in this embodiment that if the frame is pivoted upward, the journal can exit from opening  22 .  
         [0057]     In order to avoid this, a different solution is shown in  FIG. 5   b . Here, opening  22  is introduced into the edge region of the projecting part of frame part  21 . If the frame is pivoted upward, the bolt still rests against a contact point. Slipping out is therefore precluded.  
         [0058]     As shown further above, strips  13  can be screwed onto the inside of the side crosswise wall, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0059]     An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b.    
         [0060]     As the lower figure in  FIG. 6   a  shows, a screw  24  is screwed into crosswise side wall  3 , the head of which screw serves as a plug-on element for strip  13 .  
         [0061]     For this purpose, oblong holes  26  are made in strip  13  at regular intervals, one above the other, at the upper end of which a plug element  27  is attached. Plug element  27  acts together with screw head  25  during the plug-on process. The advantage of this embodiment can be seen in that after a large load carrier  1  has been emptied, the strips can be rapidly removed, laid into the floor region of the container, and then the container can be collapsed without problems.  
         [0062]     As is evident from the drawings of  FIG. 6   a , grooves  28  that lead vertically downward and to the rear are worked into the side of strip  13  that faces the container interior, and serve as alternative accommodations for frames  8 .  
         [0063]     With this solution, the frames, with the layers, can be easily pushed into or pulled out of container  1 , without a pivoting movement and the related pneumatic spring being required.  
         [0064]     A strip  29  is shown in  FIG. 7   a  and  7   b , which can be disposed individually or in pairs on the crosswise or lengthwise side wall  4  that lies removed from the contact points of frame  8 . Support elements  30  are disposed on strips  29 , so as to tilt. In  FIG. 7   a , element  30  is folded down, and the front, free end of frame  8  can be supported on this element.  
         [0065]     If frame  8  has been removed or pivoted away to the top, element  30  is tilted up against the strip and held in place there by a magnet that is inserted into accommodation  33 . Finally, lengthwise side wall  4  mentioned in  FIG. 7  is shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0066]     However, here the additional strips  29  are no longer present. Here, a bracket  31  is shown in the upper region of lengthwise side wall  4 , which bracket is attached to region  11  of this lengthwise side wall that can be folded out. The shank of bracket  31  that faces inward sits on the top of uppermost frame  8 . The frame is therefore secured during transport. If region  11  is folded down and outward, this securing mechanism for the frame is cancelled out and it can be pivoted away upward.  
         [0067]     All of frames  8  disposed one above the other stand in connection by way of spacer elements  16 , as indicated in the figure, bottom right, and all of the frames and the layers supported on them are thereby secured against vertical movements during transport, by means of bracket  31 .  
         [0068]     Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.