Abstract:
A modular cradle for reinforcing, transporting, and stacking cargo containers used in the transportation and storage of bulk cargo in the oil and gas industry so as to allow compliance with construction and shipping standards adopted by the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The cargo cradle is comprised of a rectangular frame for holding and supporting a cargo container. The cradle has attached lifting lugs positioned within the interior of the cargo cradle for attachment of lifting cables. The lifting lugs are positioned so as to allow cradles to be stacked one upon the other. The container cradles interlock when stacked.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the transportation and storage of bulk goods and, more particularly, relates to a support frame for support and storing bulk cargo containers and baskets that will comply with standards for strength and structural integrity adopted by the oil and gas industries. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Bulk packaging containers are used for storage and shipment of bulk goods and equipment and such containers are particularly practical for use in the offshore oil and gas industry. Equipment has typically been moved to and from offshore oil and gas installations and drilling sites in baskets and containers of many different sizes and shapes. 
     The baskets typically utilized are normally fabricated with an open top and, more often than not, are randomly sized depending upon the designs and specifications of the company building and selling the basket. The containers typically utilized are closed in on all sides including the top and usually have a side door. These containers also come in many different shapes and sizes and have also been traditionally built to the specifications of the manufacturer. 
     In the past, offshore baskets and containers where slapped together with metal plate, expanded metal, tubing, I beam, or any other materials that a fabricator could find. Without thought, the baskets and containers were loaded down with cargo and sent offshore. Today the basket and container industry is a science in itself. The units are highly engineered pieces of equipment that are thoroughly tested for strength deficiencies and other insufficiencies. 
     For these reasons the containers and equipment utilized to move equipment on and offshore is continually being changed and modified. Further, the incidence of accidents involving lifting units have prompted many of the world&#39;s offshore a companies to rethink and retool their equipment. Rules, regulations, and practices for the use of such containers continue to evolve due to safety concerns and considerations. 
     The ISO shipping container has brought to the offshore industry a means for standardizing containers and shipping techniques throughout the shipping industry. Standardized containers are frequently employed in the shipping of goods and equipment by sea, rail, or trucking. The primary size used by international shippers is a container unit measuring 20 feet in width by 40 feet in length. However, the industry is developing needs for smaller units such as containers of the length of 10 feet, 8 feet, and even 6 feet in length. Such units are particularly useful in the oil and gas industry because they can be mass-produced and provided at a cost significantly less than custom built units. Such units, principally because of their size, may be more conveniently lifted and stored onto and off of service vessels and oil and gas platforms. 
     These smaller units also present some problems as manufacturers often ignore standardization requirements and safety concerns in the choice of the material and construction methods employed in production of the units. Further, there is a proliferation of equipment previously manufactured and used that does not necessarily comply with the strength and size requires currently being adopted. These problems may result in the inadvertent or unavoidable use of containers of different sizes and strength capabilities and as a result, their use may increase the risk of injury associated with the handling, lifting, loading, unloading, and transportation of these smaller units. There are two basic solutions to these container deficiencies. One is to implement and enforce standardized specifications for such containers that would ultimately result in increased shipping expenses due to the necessity of discarding or abandoning those containers currently being used. The other is to provide a container cradle that will serve to strengthen and support the container units. The major oil companies are adopting regulations and standards being proposed for lifting loads and capabilities of cargo containers employed in the oil and gas industry. These regulations and standards are intended to prevent or minimize accidents caused by failure of cargo container structures such as baskets, boxes, and the like during lifting and transporting the containers to and from offshore locations. One such offshore container lifting regulation is “DNV Offshore Container Regulation 2.7-1” that has been proposed by Det Norske Veritas, DNV, a Norwegian organization and an internationally recognized certification body. The cargo container cradle disclosed herein, when used in conjunction with a typical bulk cargo container, will satisfy such regulations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cargo container cradle described herein is intended to satisfy and comply with “DNV Offshore Container Regulation 2.7-1, a standard which has been adopted or is being proposed for adoption by many companies utilizing cargo containers. The described cargo container cradle will allow companies to make their existing inventories of cargo containers compliant with DNV Offshore Container Regulation 2.7-1. 
     The described cargo container cradle will allow the use of existing, non-certified containers for the transportation of cargo from truck, to dock, to boat, to platform all the while complying with the engineering, testing, and quality control requirement of the internationally accepted DNV regulations. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a cradle that will allow the units to be stacked one upon the other. This will allow more efficient use of boat space when delivering cargo to and from an offshore platform as well as make more efficient use of the platform space which is typically limited. Consequently, the cradle will allow fewer trips to and from the platform and thereby reduce the cost of transportation. The cost of cradled containers is relatively insignificant when compared to the hourly rates of workboats. 
     The unique stacking features of the cradle will also allow for non-cradled containers to be stacked upon a cradle, whether that particular cradle unit is holding a container or not. The cradle is provided with multiple locking points on the bottom and topside of the unit to facilitate a stacking. The locking points utilize a pin and hole system and interlocking base supports that work together to facilitate stacking. The pin and hole system is designed to match the corner castings of ISO standard containers so that containers and the cradle itself will interlock upon stacking. 
     When utilized with a standard ISO container, the cradle and container combination will conform to the offshore regulations while allowing for the ISO container to be easily changed in and out for repair or for packing purposes. This will provide more versatility in the use of ISO containers. Because the cradle is modular and standardized, it allows for workers to keep a neat and organized workspace and thus reduce risks associated with unorganized or haphazardly stored equipment in an inherently hazardous environment. 
     The container cradle is intended to meet the lifting regulations imposed on the offshore industry. Such lifts are inherently hazardous in nature and potentially pose a safety risk to employees. User of the container cradle can employ non-certified baskets and containers in combination with the cradle and provide containerized lifting that meets the lifting regulations being imposed in the offshore industry. This will typically allow for heavier loads to be carried in a container and allow for fewer lifts. Because more material may be stored in a cradled container, cargo capacity is increased and the number of potentially hazardous lifts is reduced. 
     The cargo container also allows for a smaller footprint on the platform than the use of multiple baskets so very valuable platform space is conserved. Additionally consolidating equipment in a cradled container may avoid mistakes and inefficiencies associated with missing items in baskets and forgotten units on the dock. 
     Trucking to and from a port or cargo dock is also reduced because the loads can be consolidated allowing more equipment to get to the dock in fewer trips therefore reducing the overall freight bill. 
     Use of the cradle in combination with lockable non-certified containers will prevent or reduce the incidence of tampering or theft of the equipment and increase the likelihood that container will arrive at the desired location with the contents intact and as originally shipped. This will help to eliminate the cost and expense associated with missing parts, equipment, or at the offshore location. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the specifications and from the drawings as shown herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of the cargo cradle according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cargo cradle of  FIG. 1  showing the lifting and stacking capabilities of such loaded cargo cradles. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial section view of the stacked cradles shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view illustrating the stacking pin elements of the cargo cradle. 
         FIG. 10  is a top isometric view of a double cargo cradle according to the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom isometric view of the double cargo cradle of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the cargo container cradle  2  is a single bay cradle unit intended to support at least one non-certified containers or baskets. It is comprised of a floor or base frame  10  made up of a network of beams and braces. The base frame  10  has openings  12  positioned to receive the tines of a forklift or pallet jack to facilitate the lifting of the cradle. Extending from each corner of the base frame  10  are base frame support bars  16 . These base support bars  16  keep the cradle  2  off the deck or floor surface to avoid the accumulation of moisture around the cradle. Angled corner plates  15  extend from each corner of the base frame  10  inward toward the interior of the base frame  10 . These corner plates  15  strengthen the base frame  10  and provide space for holes  14  to receive stacking pins  30  to facilitate stacking and interlocking of cradles  2  when the cradles  2  are stacked one upon another. 
     The base frame  10  has vertically extending support posts  18  upon which is mounted a top horizontally oriented frame  20 . Lateral framing  22 , corner frame bracing  24  and angle bracing  36  is provided for rigidity and structural support of the posts  18 . A bay opening  4  is formed at one end to provide for the insertion of a cargo container or basket within the cradle  2 . The framing  22  and bracing  24  and the opening  4  may be situated and dimensioned to provide for the opening and closing of doors in ISO compliant containers. 
     The top frame  20  has upper support bars  28 . The upper support bars  28  are offset from the base frame support bars  16  so that the support bars  16  and  28  will nest side by side and interlock when one cradle  2  is stacked upon another cradle  2  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The top frame  20  has angled corner plates  32  that extend from each corner of the top frame  20  inward toward the interior of the top frame  20 . These corner plates  32  strengthen the top frame  20  and provide support for the stacking pins  30  protruding upwardly from the corner plates  32 . When cradles  2  are stacked one upon another, the stacking pins  30  of the lower support curdle  2  are inserted into the holes  14  of the of the upper cradle  2  to further interlock the upper and lower cradles  2 . When the stacking pins  30  extending from the corner plates  32  of the lower support curdle are inserted into the holes  14  of the corner plates  15  of the upper cradle  2 , the upper support bars  28  of the lower cradle  2 , offset from the base frame support bars  16  of the upper cradle  2 , will nest side by side with the frame support bars  16  of the upper cradle  2  and interlock as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Lifting lugs or padeyes  34  extend inwardly in the cradle  2  from the corner posts  18  and are recessed below the level of the top frame  20 . The lifting lugs  34  allow for the attachment of lifting cables or chains  38  through opening  6  of the top frame  20  at a level below the top frame  20  whereby the cradle  2  may be lifted for transportation. The location of the padeyes  34  on the interior of the cradle  2 , below the top frame  20 , allows for the lifting of the cradle  2  but still allows cradles  2  to be stacked one upon the other without the interference of the padeyes  34 , all as shown in  FIG. 7 . The opening  6  also loads the cradle  2  to be loaded from the top as well as from the side bay opening  4 . 
     The base frame  10 , support posts  18 , framing  22  and  24 , top frame  20 , and padeyes  34  of the container cradle  2  are engineered to comply with the strength and structural integrity requirements of the DNV standards, including the designated lifting requirements, so that the cradles  2  may be certified compliant for use in the marine and offshore oil and gas industries. The container cradle  2  may be manufactured from any suitable material such as steel, aluminum or other suitable metals or metal alloys. Preferably the materials used are corrosion resistant by means of galvanization techniques where suitable and may be painted with marine grade paint or other suitable corrosion control coatings. 
       FIG. 7  shows the stacking and lateral placement of adjoining container cradles  2 . As shown, the container cradles  2  may be used to support non-compliant containers  40  and open cargo baskets  50  which may be inserted into a container cradle  2  through bay opening  4 . When stacked the holes  16  the base frame  10  of the upper cradle  2  are inserted into the stacking pins  30  of the top frame  20  of the upper cradle  2  for interlocking the upper cradle  2  with the corresponding lower cradle  2 . The interlocking the upper cradle  2  with the corresponding lower cradle  2  is shown in the encircled area  9  and in more detail in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view illustrating the stacking pin elements of the cargo cradle. The base frame  10  of the upper cradle  2  is shown in alignment with the upper frame  20  of the lower cradle  2 . The support bars  28  of the top frame  20  of the lower cradle  2  are offset from the support bars  16  of the base frame  10  of the upper cradle  2  so that the support bars  16  and the support bars  28  nest side by side and interlock when one cradle  2  is stacked upon another cradle  2  as shown. Vertically projecting stacking pins  30  of the lower cradle  2  are inserted in the corresponding hole  14  in the corner plates  15  of the upper cradle  2  to facilitate stacking and interlocking of cradles  2  when the cradles  2  are stacked one upon another. If desired, a ladder may be provided as an attachment to the side of cradle  2  to provide access to the top of the cargo cradle. 
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , respectively, show a top and bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the proposed cargo container cradle shown as  102 . The alternative embodiment is shown as a double or extended cargo container. The extend cradle  102  may be used for supporting, transporting and storing larger non-certified bulk cargo containers or for multiple smaller cargo containers or shipping baskets. This extended cargo container cradle  102  is also intended to satisfy and comply with “DNV Offshore Container Regulation 2.7-1 and may also be configured to conform to the dimensional standards of ISO containers so that such containers will be readily retained in the cradle  102 . It may be configured to accommodate a shipping container of any desired size including those containers that are 20 feet in width by 40 feet in length that are primarily used by international shippers. 
     The extended cargo container cradle  102  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  will support at least one non-certified DNA container or multiple cargo baskets. The cradle  102  may also be configured to receive and ISO standard shipping container of a designed size. 
     The cradle  102  is comprised of a floor or base frame  110  made up of a network of beams and braces. The frame  110  has openings  112  positioned to receive the tines of a forklift or pallet jack to facilitate the lifting of the cradle. The base frame  110  is provided with supports  116  to keep the cradle  102  off of the deck or floor surface to avoid the accumulation of moisture around the cradle. Angled corner plates  115  are provided to strengthen the base frame 110  and holes  16  are provided in the corner plates  115  for receiving stacking pins  130  to facilitate stacking and interlocking of cradles  102 , when the cradles  102  are stacked one upon another. 
     Attached to the base frame  110  are vertically extending support posts  118  upon which is mounted a top horizontally oriented frame  120 . Lateral framing  122 , corner brace framing  124  and angle bracing  136  is provided for rigidity and structural support of the posts  118 . Angle supports  132  may be provided to support the connection of lateral framing  122  and posts  118  and for an anchor block that may be used in connecting adjoining cradles  102 . A bay opening  104  is provided to allow the insertion of a cargo container or basket within the cradle  102 . The framing  122  and bracing  124  and the opening  104  may be situated and dimensioned to provide for the opening and closing of doors in ISO compliant containers. 
     Top frame  120  has supports  128  offset from base frame supports  116  so that the supports  116  and  128  will nest side by side and interlock when one cradle  102  is stacked upon another cradle  102 . The top frame  120  has angled corner plates  132  provided to strengthen the base frame and to support the stacking pins  130 . The top frame  120  has lifting lugs or padeyes  134  that extend inwardly from the corner posts  118 . These padeyes  134  are recessed below the level of the frame  120 . 
     The lifting lugs or padeyes  134  allow for the attachment of lifting cables or chains  38  through opening  106  of the top frame  120  at a level below the top frame  120  whereby the cradle  102  may be lifted for transportation. The location of the padeyes  134  on the interior of the cradle  102 , below the top frame  120 , allows for the lifting of the cradle  102  while allowing cradles  102  to be stacked one upon the other without the interference of the padeyes  134 . Opening  106  of the top frame  120  may also be used as a loading bay. A ladder may be provided along the side of cradle  102  to provide easy access to the top of the cargo cradle. 
     From the disclosure, it can be appreciated that cradles  2  and  102  may be configured with the side framing and braces to facilitate access to the doors and openings of standardized containers. It can also be appreciated that each cargo container employed for use with a cargo container cradle  2  or  102  will be either permanently or temporarily mounted to the cradles  2  and  102 . Such mounting of the containers on the cradles may be accomplished by strapping, bolting, welding, or other suitable means. 
     The container may be utilized with pallet jacks and forklifts and with cranes by means of the lifting padeyes. The cradles  2  and  102  may also serve as a crash frame for the internal cargo containers so as to provide additional protection for the cargo being stored. The interlocking frame supports and pins maintain the stability of stacked containers and serve to keep the stacked cradles stationary and to help to prevent the shifting or sliding of the cradles with respect to each other when they are jolted or shifted. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus for the testing of a cargo container cradle described herein and many of its intended advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also thought that various changes in form, construction, and arrangement of the parts of the method and apparatus may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein. The form herein described is intended to be merely an illustrative embodiment of the invention.