Abstract:
A stanchion containment systems and method for securely storing and for safely accessing large and/or heavy items. The present stanchion containment system is particularly suited for use in dynamic locations. The stanchion assemblies includes a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the two or more of the stanchion assemblies. The linkage assembly substantially supports the stanchion assembly for translation from a first location to a second location, to provide access to the items.

Description:
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/751,843, filed Dec. 20, 2005, entitled Universal Tie-down Stanchion System, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to stanchion containment systems for securing large and/or heavy items in a dynamic location. In particular, the present invention has application for securely storing, and for safely accessing, munitions stored in container columns on a naval vessel. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There is a constant need for better ways to securely store, and to safely access, large and/or heavy items. This application is particularly critical when the storage system is located in a dynamic location, such as for example on ships, trains, airplanes, oil rigs at sea, military vehicles, and the like. 
   One application of interest is securing munitions on naval vessels. Tie-down systems currently used on certain naval vessels includes stanchions that anchor to ceiling plates and deck plates. 
   The ceiling plate and the deck plate have an aligned pattern of holes that engage with a plunger and/or a latch at the ends of the stanchion assemblies. The stanchions typically include a heavy metal latch that engages with a hole in the deck plate and a sliding plunger at the top end that engages with a hole in the ceiling plate. The plunger and latch on the stanchion permit relative movement of the ceiling and deck plates in response to movement of the ship. 
   One approach is to use battens extending between H-shaped stanchions. The H-shaped stanchions and battens create a temporary wall that is removed as the munitions are used. Consequently, for some applications there may be no need to move any stanchions for accessing the munitions. 
   Another approach is to place the stanchions in front of the open ends of a munitions container column, to secure the munitions stowed in the containers. However, for accessing the munitions, the stanchions must be removed and relocated. 
   The requirement to move and relocate the stanchions presents both a safety and human factors issue. The weight of a rectangular 3″×4″ stanchion is approximately 100 pounds which, as defined in MIL-STD-1472F, exceeds the ergonomic allowable lift for a single individual. When the stanchions are moved, they must be placed in a location that permits free movement of the sailors, the handling systems, and the munitions. The stanchions can be relocated to empty holes in the ceiling and deck plates, or laid on the deck. If they are placed on the deck, they can become a potential hazard because they can move with the movement of the ship. If they are placed in another position between the ceiling and deck plates, the ceiling assembly must adequately secure the plunger into the appropriate hole in the ceiling plate to prevent the stanchion from becoming a hazard. In the limited space available, moving the stanchions in a timely manner to accommodate the rate of fire can be difficult given the number of persons required for lifting and moving a stanchion. These moves may have to be repeated depending on the amount and/or type of munitions used. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a stanchion containment system. The stanchion assemblies can be unlocked from the ceiling and deck plates and relocated to a different position, without the operator being required to physically lift the stanchion assemblies. The modular nature of the invention permits a vast number of configurations. The present stanchion containment system is not limited to tube-type and H-type stanchions and can be used with a variety of stanchion types. 
   When repositioning stanchion assemblies, most of the weight of the stanchion assemblies is transferred by a linkage system to an adjacent stanchion assembly that is still fixed to the ceiling and deck plates. Once repositioned, the stanchion assembly can be secured to one or both of the ceiling and deck plates. 
   The linkage assembly can optionally include one or more hinge mechanisms, providing additional axes around which the stanchion assemblies can rotate. A multi-axis embodiment permits the stanchion assemblies to traverse a more complex path than a simple arc. Depending on the length of the connector plate, the stanchion assemblies can be displaced to a variety of alternate locations, and optionally secured to the deck or ceiling plates. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a ceiling plate with a plurality of holes and a deck plate with a plurality of holes generally aligned vertically with holes in the ceiling plate. A plurality of stanchion assemblies is provided. Each stanchion assembly includes a ceiling assembly adapted to releasably engage with the holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly adapted to releasably engage with the holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects at least two stanchion assemblies. The linkage assembly permits at least one of the stanchion assemblies to be displaced from a first location to a second location when the ceiling assembly and deck assembly are disengaged from the holes in the ceiling plate and deck plate, respectively. The linkage assembly substantially supports the stanchion assembly during displacement from the first to the second location. 
   The plurality of stanchion assemblies can be arranged in a generally planar configuration, as a perimeter of an enclosure, or an infinite variety of other configurations. 
   The stanchion assemblies can be displaced along one or more of a generally circular path, a curvilinear path or a linear path. In some embodiments, at least two stanchion assemblies are displaced. 
   The linkage assembly can support at least two horizontally displaced stanchion assemblies simultaneously. The linkage assembly can include one or more pivot axes. Linkage assemblies can be provided on each of two adjacent stanchion assemblies. At least a portion of the linkage assembly is preferably releasably attached to the stanchion assemblies. The stanchion assemblies are preferably substantially vertical when engaged with holes in the ceiling and deck plates. In another embodiment, the stanchion assemblies are substantially orthogonal with respect to the ceiling and deck plates. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a first stanchion assembly including a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with the holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with the holes in the deck plate. A second stanchion assembly includes a ceiling assembly disengaged from the holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly disengaged from the holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the first stanchion assembly to the second stanchion assembly so that the first stanchion assembly and the linkage assembly substantially support the second stanchion assembly for generally horizontal translation from a first location to a second location. 
   The present invention is also directed to a stanchion containment system anchored to a ceiling plate and a deck plate. The stanchion containment system includes at least first and second stanchion assemblies. The first stanchion assembly includes a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with holes in the deck plate. The second stanchion assembly includes a ceiling assembly disengaged from holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly disengaged from holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the first stanchion assembly to the second stanchion assembly. The linkage assembly substantially supports the second stanchion assembly for translation from a first location to a second location. 
   The present invention is also directed to a method for anchoring a stanchion containment system between a ceiling plate and a deck plate. The method includes releasably engaging a ceiling assembly on a first stanchion assembly with holes in the ceiling plate, and releasably engaging a deck assembly on the first stanchion assembly with holes in the deck plate. A second stanchion assembly is located proximate the first stanchion assembly. The first stanchion assembly is connected to the second stanchion assembly. The ceiling assembly on the second stanchion assembly is disengaged from the holes in the ceiling plate, and the deck assembly on the second stanchion assembly is disengaged from the holes in the deck plate. The first stanchion assembly substantially supports the second stanchion assembly. The second stanchion assembly is displaced from a first location to a second location. 
   In one embodiment, a third stanchion assembly is connected to the second stanchion assembly by a linkage assembly. The second and third stanchion assemblies can be simultaneously displaced from a first location to a second location. At least one of the ceiling assembly or the deck assembly on the displaced stanchion assemblies are preferably engaged with holes in one of the ceiling plate or the deck plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stanchion containment system in according with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a linkage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of a hinge plate attached to a side surface of a stanchion assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3B and 3C  are respectively top and front views of a connector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a side sectional view of the deck assembly showing the latch in the retracted position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side sectional view of the deck assembly showing the latch in an extended position for engagement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4C  is a side sectional view of another side of the deck assembly of  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5A  is a side view of a ceiling assembly at the top end of a stanchion assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the pinch/crush relief design used in the ceiling assembly of  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a stanchion containment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate the movement sequence of a stanchion assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8A  is an alternate stanchion containment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates the stanchion containment system of  FIG. 8A  in an open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates the stanchion containment system of  FIG. 8A  in an alternate open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stanchion containment system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The stanchion containment system  10  includes a plurality of assemblies  22 ,  24  positioned in front of the open ends of containers  14 . The embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the stanchion containment system  10  are arranged in a generally planar configuration, that is used in combination with other structures, such as for example walls, bulkheads, and the like. Alternatively, the stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  can be configured to create an enclosure, such as for example the four-sided enclosure  250 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
   Each stanchion  12  includes a ceiling assembly  30  and deck assembly  28 , discussed in greater detail in connection with  FIGS. 4 and 5 , that permit the stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  to be removable secured to holes  20  in the ceiling plate  16  and deck plate  18 . Deck assembly  28  is configured for engaging one of a plurality of holes  20  in deck plate  18  for securing the stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  at their bottom ends to the deck plate  18 . Similarly, ceiling assembly  30  is configured for engaging one of a plurality of holes in ceiling plate  16  to secure the stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  at their top ends to ceiling plate  16 . The stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  are preferably substantially orthogonal with respect to the ceiling plate  16  and the deck plate  18 . The stanchions  12  of  FIG. 1  are tube-type stanchions, although the deck assembly  28  and ceiling assembly  30  can be used with a variety of other stanchion types, such as for example H-type stanchions. 
   Adjacent stanchion assemblies  22  and  24  are optionally interconnected to one another by at least one linkage assembly  26 . The ceiling assembly  30  and deck assembly  28  on the stanchion assembly  22  or  24  are disengaged from the ceiling plate  16  and deck plate  18 , respectively. A substantial portion of the weight of the disengaged stanchion assembly  22  is transferred by the interconnecting linkage assembly  26  to the adjacent stanchion assembly  24 , which remains engaged with the deck plate  18  and ceiling plate  16 . As such, the disengaged stanchion  22  can be translated horizontally to expose one or more of the containers  14 . 
     FIG. 2  is a detailed illustration of linkage assembly  26  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The linkage assembly  26  of  FIG. 2  includes connector plate  50 , hinge plates  52  and  54 , and two quick release pins  56 . Hinge plates  52  and  54  are attached to adjacent stanchion assemblies  22  and  24 , preferably on the side surfaces facing one another. 
   As perhaps best seen in  FIG. 3A , hinge plate  52  attached to a side surface of stanchion assembly  22  includes planar plate section  58  with hollow cylinder  60 . Opening  62  extending through hollow cylinder  60  is configured to readily accept a pin, such as quick release pin  56 . Opening  62  provides sufficient freedom for the rotational movement of the pin  56  when placed in the opening  62  for the rotational movement of hinge plate  52  around an axis of the pin  56 . Hinge plate  54  is the same as or substantially similar to hinge plate  52 . 
   The configuration of connector plate  50  is best described with reference to  FIGS. 3B and 3C . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the connector plate is generally I-shaped. Connector plate  50  is shown having generally planar plate section  64  with aligned hollow cylinders  66 A and  66 B, respectively, at the top and bottom right corner edges of plate section  64 , and aligned hollow cylinders  68 A and  68 B, respectively, at the top and bottom left corner edges of plate section  64 . The openings through aligned hollow cylinders  66 A,  66 B and  68 A,  68 B, are also aligned with one another. 
   As with opening  62 , the aligned openings through right hollow cylinders  66 A and  66 B of connecting plate  50  are configured to readily accept a pin, such as quick release pin  56 . As such, the aligned openings through right hollow cylinders  66 A and  66 B provide sufficient freedom for the rotational movement of the pin  56  for the rotational movement of connector plate  50  with respect to the hinge plates  52 ,  54 . The aligned openings through the hollow cylinders  68 A,  68 B are preferably substantially the same as the hollow cylinders  66 A,  66 B. 
   Returning to  FIG. 2 , hinge plate  52  is shown attached to stanchion assembly  22  on the side facing adjacent stanchion assembly  24 , and likewise, hinge plate  54  is shown attached to stanchion assembly  24  on the side facing adjacent stanchion  22 . Hinge plates  52  and  54  are attached at approximately the same height. Linkage assembly  26  interconnecting adjacent stanchion assemblies  22  and  24  is shown formed by rotatably attaching connector plate  50  to hinge plates  52  and  54  on stanchion assemblies  22  and  24 , respectively, using pins  56 . 
   Hollow cylinders  66 A and  66 B of connector plate  50  are positioned around hollow cylinder  60  of hinge plate  52  such that the openings through each hollow cylinder  62 ,  66 A, and  66 B are aligned with one another. Connector plate  50  and hinge plate  52  are then rotatably connected to one another by passing the shank of a pin, such as shank  70  of quick release pin  56 , through the aligned openings of hollow cylinders  60 ,  66 A, and  66 B. Similarly, connector plate  50  is rotatably connected to hinge plate  54  by placing hollow cylinders  68 A and  68 B of connector plate  50  around the hollow cylinder of hinge plate  54  such that the openings through each hollow cylinder are aligned with one another. Connector plate  50  and hinge plate  54  are then rotatably connected to one another by passing the shank of a pin, such as shank  70  of quick release pin  56 , through the aligned openings of the hollow cylinders. 
     FIGS. 4A through 4C  are side views of deck assembly  28  securely fastened to the bottom end stanchion assembly  22 .  FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate tube-type stanchions. 
     FIG. 4A  shows deck assembly  28  when stanchion assembly  22  is disengaged from deck plate  18 , and  FIGS. 4B and 4C  show deck assembly  28  when stanchion assembly  22  is secured to deck plate  18 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are shown as viewed from an adjacent stanchion and  FIG. 4C  is shown as viewed from the front of a stanchion. 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A-4C , deck assembly  28  includes hollow upper body  102  housing slidable latch shank  104  which, at its bottom end, includes slidable latch block  106  housed in hollow lower body  108 . Latch block  106  includes latch  110  extending out from the plane of bottom surface  112 . The combination of latch shank  104 , latch block  106 , and latch  110  operate in unison such that the raising or lowering of latch shank  104  also raises and lower both latch block  106  and latch  110 . In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, latch shank  104 , latch block  106 , and latch  110  are formed as a single piece. 
   The inside dimensions of hollow upper body  102  and hollow lower body  108  are engineered such that when latch  110  is in the fully retracted position as shown in  FIG. 4A , latch block  106  abuts against the bottom end of hollow upper body  102  and can not extend further into hollow upper body  102 . Furthermore, in the fully retracted position, latch  110  is substantially housed within the bottom portion of hollow lower body  108 . Preferably, no portion of latch  110  extends out through opening  114  at the bottom of hollow lower body  108 . The bottom surfaces of hollow lower body  108  at opening  114  include slide plate  116  made of a material, such as nylon, to facilitate sliding movement of deck assembly  28  along deck plate  18 . 
   Latch shank  104  also includes stop collar  118  such that when latch  110  is in the fully extended position as shown in  FIG. 4B , stop collar  118  abuts against the top end of hollow upper body  102  stopping bottom surface  112  of latch block  106  from extending out of the plane of opening  114  at the bottom of hollow lower body  108 . 
   Deck assembly  28  further includes extend/retract lever  120  in a shape somewhat similar to an “S”. End  122  of extend/retract lever  120  includes orthogonal bend  124  connected to latch shank  104  at a short distance from the end of latch shank  104 . Extend/retract lever  120  extends from latch shank  104  out through a side of stanchion body  126  and forms orthogonal bend  128 . Lever pivot pin  130  attaches orthogonal bend  128  to lever mounting plate  132  fixedly attached to the side of stanchion body  126 . 
   Extend/retract lever  120  preferably extends a reasonable length beyond orthogonal bend  128  so as to provide a good hand grip for the operator and to provide a substantial leverage force for raising and lowering latch  110 . In operation, pulling extend/retract lever  120  away from the stanchion body  126  will move latch shank  104  in the upward direction pulling latch  110  out of latch hole  20  in deck plate  18 . And, pushing extend/retract lever  120  towards the stanchion body  126  will move latch shank  104  in the downward direction pushing latch  110  into latch hole  20  in deck plate  18 . 
   Latch  110  includes wedge  134  mechanically connected to latch/unlatch lever  136  extending out of a side of hollow lower body  108 . Wedge  134  is configured for radial expansion in response to moving latch/unlatch lever  136  in the downward direction to the latch position, and for radial contraction in response to moving latch/unlatch lever  136  in the upward direction to the unlatch position. 
   In operation, when latch  110  is fully extended into latch hole  20 , moving latch/unlatch lever  136  downwards to the latch position mechanically expands wedge  134  in the radial direction so as to securely engage latch  110  to the walls of latch hole  20 . When latch  110  needs to be removed from latch hole  20 , latch/unlatch lever  136  is moved upwards to the unlatch position causing wedge  134  to mechanically contract in the radial direction disengaging latch  110  from the walls of latch hole  20 . In order to prevent accidental movement of latch/unlatch lever  136 , latch detent  138  is provided to mechanically engage latch/unlatch lever  136  such that latch detent  138  must always first disengage latch/unlatch lever  136  before it can be moved from the latch to the unlatch position, or vice versa. 
   Deck assembly  28  is preferably fixedly attached to stanchion body  126  by first placing hollow upper body  102  of deck assembly  28  in its entirety inside hollow core  140  of stanchion assembly  22 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , bolts  142  passing through the walls of both stanchion assemblies  22 ,  24  and hollow upper body  102  housed within stanchion  22  and extending through opening  144  in latch shank  104  are used with nuts  146  for securing deck assembly  28  to the bottom end of stanchion assembly  22 . 
     FIG. 5A  is a side view of ceiling assembly  30  at the top end of a stanchion assembly  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , ceiling assembly  30  includes body  202  having channel  204  for housing plunger  206  ( FIG. 5A ) and opening  208  for facilitating the extension and retraction of plunger  206  along axis  207 . The top end of body  202  optionally includes resilient pad  210  and fitting  212  having a plunger locking mechanism for locking plunger  206  in place.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate H-type stanchions. 
   Plunger  206  is housed in channel  204  and optionally extends through resilient pad  210  and fitting  212 . For securing the stanchion at its top end to ceiling plate  16 , the bottom end of plunger  206  is pushed upwards along axis  207  in channel  204  so as to extend the top end of plunger  206  out of and above the plane of fitting  212  and into a latch hole in ceiling plate  16 . The plunger locking mechanism within fitting  212  is then engaged to hold plunger  206  in place with the top end within the latch hole. For releasing the stanchion from ceiling plate  16 , the plunger locking mechanism within fitting  212  is disengaged permitting plunger  206  to fall down in channel  204  under gravitational pull. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 5B , bottom end  214  of opening  208  is formed at an angle to provide relief from pinching and/or crushing as plunger  206  falls within channel  204 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a four-sided stanchion containment system  250  wherein the stanchion assemblies  252  form an enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the containers  14  are removed along axis  254  located at side  256 A of the enclosure  250 . Consequently, sides  256 B,  256 C, and  256 D do not require linkage assemblies  258 . Alternatively, linkage assemblies  258  can be attached to stanchion assemblies  252  along any of the sides  256 B,  256 C, and  256 D. 
     FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate operation of the stanchion assembly  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Ceiling assembly  30  and deck assembly  28  are disengaged from the ceiling plate  16  and the deck plate  18  (see  FIG. 1 ), respectively.  FIGS. 7A-C  illustrates a movement sequence along path  302  for stanchion assembly  22 . Throughout movement along the path  302 , the stanchion assembly  24  and the linkage assembly  26  support the weight of the stanchion assembly  22 . Once the stanchion assembly  22  is in location  304 , illustrated in  FIG. 7D , the deck assembly  28  is engaged with holes  306  in the deck plate  28 . The ceiling assembly  30  is optionally engaged with the corresponding hole in the ceiling plate  16 . Container  308  can now be accessed along axis  310  and the stanchion assembly  22  is secured (as are the remainder of the containers  14 ). 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate alternate stanchion containment system  50  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Linkage assembly  352  includes three pivot axes  354 A,  354 B and  354 C.  FIG. 8B  illustrates stanchion assembly  356  laterally or horizontally displaced by rotation around axis  354 B, exposing container  14 A. The three pivot axes  354 A,  354 B and  354 C permit the stanchion assembly  356  to be laterally displaced along a circular or non-circular path, such as for example along a straight line or random curvilinear path. 
   Stanchion assemblies  358 ,  360 ,  362 , and  364  are connected by linkage assemblies  366 ,  368 ,  370 , respectively.  FIG. 8B , illustrates one embodiment for displacing stanchion assemblies  358 ,  364 , exposing containers  14 C and  14 F.  FIG. 8C  illustrate an alternate embodiment in which stanchion assemblies  362  and  364  are both displaced horizontally while being supported by linkage assemblies  368  and  370 , exposing containers  14 E and  14 F. 
   Many of the features of the various embodiments can be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, the stanchion assemblies can be arranged in a variety of configurations. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.