Abstract:
A transporter for holding articles to be lifted includes a base having a plurality of perimeter beams connected to a plurality of transverse interior beams, the base having a load carrying deck with a load carrying surface, and the deck extending above the transverse beams and to the perimeter beams. There are a plurality of wall panels including multiple removable wall panels that can each be removably affixed to the base, and a plurality of lifting eyes secured to the base externally of the walls. There are multiple cutout openings in the walls, each cutout enabling a diagonally placed lifting line to extend from one of the lifting eyes, through the opening and upwardly of the base to a position above the central portion of the deck. A winch rail extends along the upper surface of one of the perimeter beams. At least one of the wall panels with a cutout opening is one of the removable wall panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/348,459, filed 26 May 2010, hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a transportable, liftable cargo basket that is convertible from a walled transporter to a transporter not having walls. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cargo transportation apparatus that can be lifted by means of a crane or by means of a forklift and wherein specially configured lifting eyes are placed on a perimeter beam and externally of removable walls, the perimeter beam is also carrying a winch rail having multiple winches that are able to slide to a select position relative to a cargo deck of the apparatus. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Cargo baskets and like transporters have been used for the transportation of heavy goods. One of the most common uses of a cargo basket is the lifting of cargo from a dock or land based structure to a marine structure such as a vessel. In the offshore marine environment, such cargo baskets are often used to transport heavy loads from a boat to a marine platform such as an oil drilling or production platform. 
     Some cargo baskets have been patented. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,973 entitled “Shipping and Display Container.” 
     This patent discloses a box for transport and display, with removable walls and has a section whereby it may be lifted by a fork lift. Its abstract reads as follows: “A multi-sided, large shipping container which also serves as a display container once the merchandise is placed on sale such as in a supermarket or other store. Particularly useful for shipping and selling merchandise which may be handled by forklift trucks, the container has four wall sections each made from rigid frames and panels of plywood or other material with interlocking brackets at the bottom edges fastened to the reinforced bottom which has a pallet to accommodate the fork on a forklift truck and may or may not have wheels on the bottom. A one-piece top has edges which fit down over the respective upper edges of each wall section for quick detachment therefrom. Other brackets are provided at intermediate heights on selected wall sections to latch them together. The merchandise which may be in the form of smaller boxes or cartons of goods or not containerized is stacked on the bottom of the present container which resembles a pallet. Then the wall sections are assembled in place by aligning interlocking brackets and inserting interlocking pins on one bracket into openings in matching bracket portions. Then the entire container may be lifted by a forklift truck and transported by truck, aircraft or boxcar to the store where it is placed for display and actual sale of the merchandise by removing one or more of the wall sections.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,604—“Disassembleable, reusable container” discloses collapsible containers which can be assembled and disassembled and used with a fork lift. In col. 2, beginning at line  51 , it states: “In contradistinction to the prior art containers which require support on a pallet or like device for use in conjunction with a standard fork lift, the subject, disassemblable container is preferably supported by its own bracing members above the surface on which it is supported. Therefore, there is adequate room for the forks of a standard lift truck to be inserted under the container so that it may be easily transported from one place to another.” 
     US Published Patent Application No. 20040188433—“Convertible, transport, cargo box system” discloses a cargo box with a top which opens and sliding sides. In  FIG. 3C , one can see the slots whereby it may be picked up by a forklift. It is a rectangular box whereby one side can completely slide open (as in two gates slide away from each other) and the top can open and tuck behind a side. 
     US Published Patent Application No. 20080272136. Its abstract reads as follows: “In a transport case for transport of at least one high value, heavy transport goods, a floor is provided on which an object carrier is arranged on an inside of the case such that it can be displaced in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the case. At least one cover is connected with the floor with at least one hinge such that it can be folded over and the cover can be opened such that the transport good is freely accessible parallel to the longitudinal axis in an opened state of the transport case.” Please see for example  FIG. 2 , which shows that in one embodiment the box can open by having the entire top and walls fold over, and  FIG. 7 , which shows that in one embodiment the box can opened by sliding the walls outwardly. Also, a fork lift can lift from under the floor plate as the case is designed to be able to be picked up by standard fork lifts. 
     US Published Patent Application No. 20090272738 describes a cargo basket used for transportation of cargo in which there are fork slots for a forklift as well as one side which is made up of two gates (420 and 424) which may be removed for loading/unloading purposes (please see the figures). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a transporter for holding articles to be lifted. The apparatus includes a base having a plurality of perimeter beams, a plurality of transverse interior beams spanned between perimeter beams. The base provides a load carrying deck with a load carrying surface. The deck extends above the transverse beams and to the perimeter beams. 
     A plurality of wall panels include removable wall panels that can each be removably affixed to the base at a position next to the perimeter beams. Some of the wall panels are end wall panels. Some of the wall panels are side wall panels. 
     A plurality of lifting eyes are secured to the base externally of the removable wall panels. 
     Cutouts are provided on the side wall which enable a diagonally placed lifting line to extend from a lifting eye upwardly to the opening to a position above the central area of the deck. 
     At least one of the side walls having cutouts is a removable wall panel. 
     In one embodiment, there are two side wall panels, each having a cutout that enables a diagonally placed lifting line to extend from the lifting eye through the opening and upwardly to a position above the center of the deck. 
     In one embodiment, a winch rail extends along the upper surface of one of the perimeter beams. In one embodiment, a plurality of winches are mounted in the winch rail, each being slidably movable to a selected position along the frame. 
     In one embodiment, the winch rail extends generally in between a pair of the lifting eyes. In one embodiment, the base has four corners and a lifting eye as positioned at each corner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the removable side rails; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the side rail of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the side rail of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of a side rail of  FIGS. 7-10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a winch that is attachable to a slide rail; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a fragmentary elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a fragmentary top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the decking; 
         FIG. 24  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view taken along lines  25 - 25  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a fragmentary end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a fragmentary top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a sectional view taken along lines  29 - 29  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a fragmentary end view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  is a partial side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  is a partial top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 38  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 ,  22 ,  24  show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Transporter apparatus  10  provides a base  11  that is best seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  12 - 16 . Base  11  supports a plurality of removable walls including end walls  12 ,  13  and side walls  14 ,  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Transporter apparatus  10  can be lifted with a crane, derrick or similar lifting apparatus using a plurality of lifting lines  16  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 ,  22  and  24 . The lifting lines  16  can be provided with loops or looped end portions for enabling each of the lifting lines  16  to attach to a crown block, lifting hook or other known lifting apparatus. Lifting lines  16  can, for example, be commercially available slings. Shackles can be also employed with the lifting lines  16  for forming a connection between each lifting line  16  and a lifting hook or like lifting implement of a crane. Shackles can also be used to form an interface or connection between each lifting line  16  and a padeye  31  which is a part of frame  11 . 
     Typical dimensions for apparatus  10  are a length of 10-40 feet (3.05-12.2 meters), a height of 3-5 feet (0.91-1.52 meters), and a width of 3-8 feet (0.91-2.44 meters). Apparatus  10  is preferably made of carbon steel, but can be made of, for example, aluminum or stainless steel. It preferably has a weight of not more than 30,000 pounds (13,608 kilograms). The floor area loading when loaded is preferably not more than 270 pounds per square foot (1,318 kilograms per square meter). 
     When having dimensions of 8 feet (2.44 meters) wide by 24 feet (7.32 meters) long by 4 feet (1.22 meters) high, it can have for example a weight of 9000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) with the sides, around 5,200 pounds (2,359 kilograms) without the sides, with a working load limit of 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms) with the sides, around 29,800 pounds (13,517 kilograms) without the sides, with a maximum gross weight of 35,000 pounds (15,876 kilograms); the floor area loading when loaded is 135 pounds per square foot (659 kilograms per square meter). 
     Frame or base  11  provides a pair of side beams  17 ,  18  and a pair of end beams  19 ,  20 . The side beams  17 ,  18  are each welded to the end beams  19 ,  20  using welded connections, for example. Transverse beams  21 ,  22 ,  23  span between the side beams  17 ,  18  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 13 . Hollow beams  24 ,  25  also span between the side beams  17 ,  18 . The base or frame  11  is covered with decking  28 . The decking  28  can be individual wooden blanks or the like. 
     Hollow beams  24 ,  25  provide a bore or socket  26 ,  27 . Each bore or socket is receptive of a tine of a forklift. The apparatus  10  can thus be lifted using either a crane or like lifting line when the apparatus  10  is rigged with lifting line  16  or a forklift when the tines of the forklift engage the sockets or bores  26 ,  27  of the beams  24 ,  25 . 
     A corner tube or socket  29  is placed next to each corner of the frame  11 , as well as next to a padeye  31 . The padeye  31  and corner tube  29  interface  32  can be welded. In this fashion, a very rigid corner construction is provided with the padeye  31  being welded to a side beam  17  or  18  or end beam  19 ,  20  and to a corner tube or socket  29  (see  FIGS. 16-21 ,  26 ). Additionally, the corner tube or socket  29  is welded to a side beam  17  or  18  or end beam  19 ,  20 . 
     The side beams  17 ,  18  and end beams  19 ,  20  form a perimeter or perimeter beams of frame or base  11 . A smaller plurality of beams is attached (for example, welded) to the top of each of the side beams  17 ,  18  and end beams  19 ,  20 . These smaller beams include smaller side beams  48 ,  49  and smaller end beams  50 ,  51 . In addition to the corner tubes or sockets  29 , there are provided intermediate tubes and sockets  30 . These intermediate tubes  30  are place in between the padeyes  31  at opposing end portions of each of the side beams  17 ,  18  as seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     Each of the side walls  14 ,  15  is provided with a plurality of columns  33  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  7 - 9 ). Each column  33  has a larger diameter section  34  and a smaller diameter section  35 . An annular shoulder  36  is provided at the interface between each larger diameter section  34  and smaller diameter section  35  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Smaller diameter section  35  fits into corner tube or socket  29  or into an intermediate tube or socket  30 . A pinned connection  71  in opening  80  can be used to secure smaller diameter section  35  of a column  33  to a socket or tube  29  or  30  as indicated by arrow  72  in FIGS.  4 , 5 . 
     Channels  37  are placed on each side wall  14 ,  15 . In  FIG. 9 , a side wall  14  or  15  has a channel  37  at one end portion and a channel  37  at the other end portion. These channels  37  are receptive of an end wall  12 ,  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . A pinned connection  82  in opening  81  can be used to secure end wall  12 ,  13 . If you pull pinned connection  82  in the direction of arrow  83 , one is able to lift end wall  12 ,  13  upwardly in the direction of arrow  84 , as indicated in  FIG. 2 . Each side wall  14 ,  15  provides a rail  38 , center panel  39 , side panels  41  and openings at  40 . Openings  40  enable a user to remove a side wall  14  or  15 . The side wall  14  or  15  can be removed by grasping rail  38  at openings  40  and lifting upwardly. Plates  42  are placed on two of the innermost columns  33  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The plates  42  face inwardly, toward a cargo that is to be contained and transported. 
     Openings or slots  43  are provided at each end portion of a side wall  14  or  15  as shown in  FIG. 7 . These openings or slots  43  enable a lifting line  16  to extend from a padeye  31  upwardly to a lifting implement  52  that is generally centered in between a pair of the side walls  14 ,  15 , in between end walls  12 ,  13  and generally centered upon decking  28  as shown in  FIG. 22  where the lifting implement, hook or the like is schematically illustrated by the numeral  52 . A long horizontal beam  44  extends along the bottom of each of the center panel  39  and side panels  41  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 . A vertical beam  45  extends upwardly along one edge of each side panel  41  as shown in  FIG. 7 . A small end panel  47  is provided above each opening  43 . This small end panel  47  is surrounded by column  33 , rail  38 , vertical beam  45 , and short horizontal beam  46  (see  FIGS. 7 ,  11 ). A winch rail  53  extends along the top of the smaller side beam  48  as shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  37  and  38 . In FIGS.  34  and  37 - 38 , the winch rail  53  includes a channel  54  having web  55  upper flanges  56 ,  57  and lower flanges  58 ,  59 . The channel  54  is longitudinally extending. As shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , the web  54  and the flanges  56 - 59  extend longitudinally along smaller side beam  48 . Vertical flanges  60  are attached (for example, welded) to the winch rail  53  at intervals as shown in  FIGS. 31-34 . End walls  12 ,  13  ( FIGS. 27-30 ) can each have an upper side rail  38 , side rails  74 , bottom rail  73 , and center panel  39  and openings  40 . Openings  40  enable a user to remove an end wall  12  or  13 . The end wall  12  or  13  can be removed by grasping a rail  38  at openings  40  and lifting upwardly. 
     Winch  61  travels in channel  54  (see  FIGS. 37-38 ). Each winch  61  can be wound with a strap  77 . Strap  77  can be tightened using winch  61  to hold cargo to the deck  28  (see  FIG. 22 ). Winches  61  can be on both sides of deck area  28 . In  FIG. 12 , winch  61  includes flanges  62 ,  63 ,  64 , ratchet  76 , and pawl  75  which engages ratchet  76 . Pawl  75  and ratchet  76  function as such elements normally do in winches. Flanges  63 ,  64  support a spool  65 . The spool can be used to tighten straps against and secure cargo that is mounted on the deck area or decking  28  (see  FIGS. 23 ,  25 ). Notches  66 ,  67  and flanges  63 ,  64  are receptive of the flanges  57 ,  59  of the channel  54 . For example, flange  57  can register in cutouts, notches or slots  66 . Flange  59  engages and registers in the slots  67 . Winch rail channel  53  can provide a slot or opening  68  for adding a winch to the channel  54  or removing a winch from the channel  54  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ). The opening or slot  68  can be closed or sealed with cover plate  69  (seen in  FIGS. 35 ,  36 ) which can be attached to channel  54  at opening or slot  68  using, for example, fasteners, screws, bolted connection in openings  79  of plate  69 . In  FIG. 5 , arrow  70  illustrates removal of a winch  61  from channel  54  via opening or slot  68 . Winch  61  has a shaft or drum  77  which can be rotated using a winch drive/rotary drive  78  which can be operated with a lever. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Parts Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 transporter apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 base/frame 
               
               
                 12 
                 end wall 
               
               
                 13 
                 end wall 
               
               
                 14 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 15 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 16 
                 lifting line 
               
               
                 17 
                 side beam 
               
               
                 18 
                 side beam 
               
               
                 19 
                 end beam 
               
               
                 20 
                 end beam 
               
               
                 21 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 22 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 23 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 24 
                 hollow beam 
               
               
                 25 
                 hollow beam 
               
               
                 26 
                 socket/bore 
               
               
                 27 
                 socket/bore 
               
               
                 28 
                 decking/deck area 
               
               
                 29 
                 corner tube/socket 
               
               
                 30 
                 intermediate tube/socket 
               
               
                 31 
                 padeye 
               
               
                 32 
                 interface 
               
               
                 33 
                 column 
               
               
                 34 
                 larger diameter section 
               
               
                 35 
                 smaller diameter section 
               
               
                 36 
                 annular shoulder 
               
               
                 37 
                 channel 
               
               
                 38 
                 rail 
               
               
                 39 
                 center panel 
               
               
                 40 
                 opening 
               
               
                 41 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 42 
                 plate 
               
               
                 43 
                 opening/slot 
               
               
                 44 
                 long horizontal beam 
               
               
                 45 
                 vertical beam 
               
               
                 46 
                 short horizontal beam 
               
               
                 47 
                 small end panel 
               
               
                 48 
                 smaller side beam 
               
               
                 49 
                 smaller side beam 
               
               
                 50 
                 smaller end beam 
               
               
                 51 
                 smaller end beam 
               
               
                 52 
                 lifting implement 
               
               
                 53 
                 winch rail 
               
               
                 54 
                 channel 
               
               
                 55 
                 web 
               
               
                 56 
                 flange 
               
               
                 57 
                 flange 
               
               
                 58 
                 flange 
               
               
                 59 
                 flange 
               
               
                 60 
                 vertical flange 
               
               
                 61 
                 winch 
               
               
                 62 
                 flange 
               
               
                 63 
                 flange 
               
               
                 64 
                 flange 
               
               
                 65 
                 spool 
               
               
                 66 
                 slot/cutout/notch 
               
               
                 67 
                 slot/cutout/notch 
               
               
                 68 
                 opening/slot 
               
               
                 69 
                 cover plate 
               
               
                 70 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 71 
                 pinned connection 
               
               
                 72 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 73 
                 bottom rail 
               
               
                 74 
                 side rail 
               
               
                 75 
                 pawl 
               
               
                 76 
                 ratchet 
               
               
                 77 
                 winch shaft/drum 
               
               
                 78 
                 winch drive/rotary drive 
               
               
                 79 
                 opening 
               
               
                 80 
                 opening 
               
               
                 81 
                 opening 
               
               
                 82 
                 pinned connection 
               
               
                 83 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 84 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.