Abstract:
A storage and transport container comprising: a lower front member; a first post attached to the first end of the lower front member; a second post attached to the second end of the lower front member; a floor front member attached to the first post and the second post, and located below the lower front member; a rotatable gate rotatably attached to the lower front member, and lockably attachable to the first post and the second post; a first tab extending from the first post, with a first hole located in the first tab; a first spring loaded gate lock attached to the rotatable gate, the first spring loaded gate lock comprising a first gate locking member configured to generally constantly be forced into a locked position by the spring and configured to slide into the first hole in order to lock the first spring loaded gate lock.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to storage and transport containers, and more particularly, to storage and transport containers for storing and transporting cargo such as, but not limited to vehicle tires and/or wheels. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a need to package large quantities of different sized vehicle wheels for transport. The primary means of transportation are shipping containers and as secondary loads in vehicles, such as pick up trucks, humvees, tractor trailers, etc. Therefore the wheels need to be packaged on an apparatus that is moveable and transportable because packaging of the wheels may occur prior to loading containers or trucks. The wheel weights may range from about 50 lbs to about 1000 lbs or more, thus the apparatus needs to be strong enough to support heavy loads. Additionally, there is a need to maximize the available space inside of the shipping container or truck (or other vehicle carrying a secondary load) by volume. A new regulation for Government Agencies who ship wheels is that the wheels should be stored vertically to extend the life of the wheels while in storage. It has been determined that flat packing of wheels on top of each other cause the wheels to deteriorate in storage. 
     Currently, the commercial practice of packing wheels for shipping in trucks is to have them individually loaded and off loaded by people. This is time intensive, and risks injury to those loading and unloading the wheels. For other transport, wheels are packed flat on wooden pallets and then secured to the pallet for transport. Using pallets often leads to flat stacking of wheels in violation of government regulations. 
     Thus there is a need for a wheel storage and transport device that overcomes the above listed and other disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention relates to a storage and transport container comprising: a lower front member; a first post attached to the first end of the lower front member; a second post attached to the second end of the lower front member; a floor front member attached to the first post and the second post, and located below the lower front member; a rotatable gate rotatably attached to the lower front member, and lockably attachable to the first post and the second post; a first tab extending from the first post, with a first hole located in the first tab; a first spring loaded gate lock attached to the rotatable gate, the first spring loaded gate lock comprising a first gate locking member configured to generally constantly be forced into a locked position by the spring and configured to slide into the first hole in order to lock the first spring loaded gate lock, the first gate locking member comprising a chamfered end configured to automatically move into an unlocked position by the first tab pushing on the chamfered end when the first spring loaded gate is rotated closed, until the chamfered end is aligned with the first hole, whereupon the first gate locking member automatically is pushed into the hole by the spring and thus locks the first spring loaded gate lock with respect to the first post. 
     The invention also relates to a storage and transport container comprising: a first post; a second post; a third post; a fourth post; a first lower side member attached to the first post and the fourth post; a second lower side member attached to the second post and the third post; a first lower bar attached to the first lower side member and the second lower side member; a second lower bar attached to the first lower side member and the second lower side member, the second lower bar generally parallel to the first lower bar, and at least about 15.5 inches from the first lower bar, center to center; a first post member slideably attached to the first post, and configured to extend out of and retract into the first post, the first post member comprising a plurality of first member holes located along the length of the first post member; a second post member slideably attached to the second post, and configured to extend out of and retract into the second post, the second post member comprising a plurality of second member holes located along the length of the second post member; a third post member slideably attached to the third post, and configured to extend out of and retract into the third post, the third post member comprising a plurality of third member holes located along the length of the third post member; a fourth post member slideably attached to the fourth post, and configured to extend out of and retract into the fourth post, the fourth post member comprising a plurality of fourth member holes located along the length of the fourth post member; a first top side member attached to the first post member and the fourth post member; a second top side member attached to the second post member and the third post member; a first top bar attached to the first top side member and the second top side member, and generally parallel to the first and second lower bars; a second top bar attached to the first top side member and the second top side member, the second top bar generally parallel to the first top bar, and at least about 20.5 inches from the first top bar, center to center, and generally parallel to the first and second lower bars; a first spring loaded lock in communication with the first post, the first spring loaded lock comprising: a first post hole, the first pole hole configured to be aligned with at least one of the first member holes; a first locking member configured to slide though the first post hole and at least one first member hole aligned with the first post hole; where depending on which of the first member holes the first locking member has slid through, the first post member can be extended or retracted into the first post; a second spring loaded lock in communication with the second post, the second spring loaded lock comprising: a second post hole, the second pole hole configured to be aligned with at least one of the second member holes; a second locking member configured to slide though the second post hole and at least one second member hole aligned with the second post hole; where depending on which of the second member holes the second locking member has slid through, the second post member can be extended or retracted into the second post; a third spring loaded lock in communication with the third post, the third spring loaded lock comprising: a third post hole, the third pole hole configured to be aligned with at least one of the third member holes; a third locking member configured to slide though the third post hole and at least one third member hole aligned with the third post hole; where depending on which of the third member holes the third locking member has slid through, the third post member can be extended or retracted into the third post; a fourth spring loaded lock in communication with the fourth post, the fourth spring loaded lock comprising: a fourth post hole, the fourth pole hole configured to be aligned with at least one of the fourth member holes; a fourth locking member configured to slide though the fourth post hole and at least one fourth member hole aligned with the fourth post hole; where depending on which of the fourth member holes the fourth locking member has slid through, the fourth post member can be extended or refracted into the fourth post; where the storage and transport container is configured such that the first, second, third and fourth post members can be extended and retracted with respect to the first, second and third, and fourth posts respectively, such that that first and second top bars and the first and second lower bars can abut an object being stored and/or transported in the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container from  FIG. 1 , with the top extended from the base; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container with a tire inside of it; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the storage and transport container; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the storage and transport container from  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of the lower bars from  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container with the rotatable gate opened into a ramp configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container stacked on another storage and transport container; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the storage and transport container; 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of the first spring loaded gate lock; 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of the gate hinge; and 
         FIG. 12  is a detail view of the fourth spring loaded lock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of the storage and transport container  10 . The container  10  comprises a first post  14 , second post  18 , third post  22 , and fourth post  26 . The container  10  also comprises a first post member  30 , second post member  34 , third post member  38 , and fourth post member  42 . The members  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42  slide generally within their respective posts  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 . The first member  30  and fourth member  42  are connected to a first adjustable top side member  46 . The second member  34  and third member  38  are connected to a second adjustable top side member  50 . A first top bar  54 , and second top bar  58  are both attached to the first and second adjustable top side members  46 ,  50 . The top bars  54 ,  58  may generally have a circular cross-section, and may be configured to secure circular objects such as wheels and/or tires as will be shown below. The first post  14  has a first spring loaded lock  62  attached to it (or in communication with the first post), with a first locking member  66  configured to slide though at least one hole in the post  14 . The first spring loaded lock  62  is configured to removeably lock into place the first post member  30  with respect to the post  14 . In one embodiment, the first post member  30  has a plurality of holes at different points along the length of the post member  30 , and in this way, depending on which hole the first locking member  66  slides into, the amount that the first post member  30  can extend from the first post  14  can be varied from a minimum height to a maximum height. The fourth post  26  has a fourth spring loaded lock  70  attached to it (or in communication with the fourth post), with a fourth locking member  74  configured to slide though at least one hole in the post  26 . The fourth loaded lock  70  is configured to removeably lock into place the fourth post member  42  with respect to the post  26 . In one embodiment, the fourth post member  42  has a plurality of holes at different points along the length of the post member  42 , and in this way, depending on which hole the locking member  74  slides into, the amount that the fourth post member  42  can extend from the fourth post  26  can be varied from a minimum height to a maximum height. Similarly to the First post  14  and fourth post  26 , the second post  18  and third post  22  each have a second spring loaded lock and third spring loaded lock, respectively, configured to allow the second post member  34  and third post member  38 , respectively, be locked into place with respect to the second post  18  and third post  22  from a minimum height to a maximum height. However, the second and third spring loaded locks are not visible in this view. The first post  14  and fourth post  26  are connected to a first lower side member  78 . The second post  18  and third post  22  are connected to a second lower side member  82 . A first lower bar  86 , and second lower bar  90  are both attached to the lower side members  78 ,  82 . The lower bars  86 ,  90  may generally have a circular cross-section, and may configured to secure circular objects such as wheels and/or tires as will be shown below. A generally semi-circular plate  102  is attached generally at the midpoint of both lower bars  86 ,  90 . The generally semi-circular plate  102  provides additional strength to both lower bars  86 ,  90 , and acts as a guide for placing wheels and other objects on the lower bars  86 ,  90 . The plate  102  may be semi-circular, or any other suitable shape, including square, oval, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, etc. The first and second posts  14 ,  18  are attached to a lower front member  94 . A front rotatable gate  98  is in rotatable communication with the lower front member  94 . The gate  98  has a first spring loaded gate lock  106  with a first gate locking member  110  configured to slide into a hole  114  located in a first post tab  118  and locking the gate with respect to the first post  14 . The first gate locking member  110  may be chamfered or beveled to allow the gate to be pushed into an upright and locked posting such that the chamfer or bevel on the locking member  100  will cause the locking member  110  to slide back into the spring loaded gate lock  106 , then generally automatically engage with the hole  114  in the tab  118 . The gate  98  also has a second spring loaded gate lock  122  with a second gate locking member  126  configured to slide into a hole  130  located in a second post tab  134  and locking the gate with respect to the second post  18 . The second gate locking member  126  may be chamfered or beveled to allow the gate to be pushed into an upright and locked posting such that the chamfer or bevel on the locking member  126  will cause the locking member  126  to slide back into the spring loaded gate lock  122 , then generally automatically engage with the hole  130  in the tab  134 . The bars  54 ,  58 ,  86 ,  90  may also be hollow tubes. 
       FIG. 2  shows the first post member  30 , second post member  34 , third post member  38 , and fourth post member  42  extended out of their respective posts  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 . In this view, the plurality of holes  138  in each member  30 ,  34 ,  38 ,  42  are visible. Strapping bars and sling loading points will be described in this figure. Attached to the first and second post members  30 ,  34  is a top front member  142 . Attached to the top front member  142  and the first post member  30  is a first sling member  146 . Attached to the top front member  142  and second post member  34  is a second sling member  150 . Attached to the third post member  38  and the fourth post member  42  is a top rear member  154 . Attached to the third post member  38  and the fourth post member  42  is a upper rear member  158 , located below the top rear member  154 . Attached to the top rear member  154  and upper rear member  158  is a third sling member  162 , located adjacent to the third post member  38 . Attached to the top rear member  154  and upper rear member  158  is a fourth sling member  166 , located adjacent to the fourth post member  42 . The sling members  146 ,  150 ,  162 ,  166  may be used for sling loading, that is the container can be carried by a helicopter or crane with a sling line and a swivel. The gate top member  170  may have one or more strapping bars  174 . Attached to the third post  22  and fourth post  26  may be a mid member  178 . Attached to the top of the mid member  178  may be one or more strapping bars  182 . Attached to the first post  14  and fourth post  26  is a first top side member  186 , and a first mid side member  190  located below the top side member. Attached to both the top side member  186  and mid side member  190  is at least one strapping bar  194 . Attached to the second post  18  and third post  22  is a second top side member  198 , and a second mid side member  202  located below the top side member. Attached to both the top side member  198  and mid side member  202  is at least one strapping bar  206 . Attached to the first post  14  and second post  18  is a floor front member  210 , the floor front member  210  is located also below the lower front member  94 . Attached to both the floor front member  210  and lower front member  94  may be a first forklift guides  214 , second fork lift guide  218 , and third forklift guide  222 . The forklift guides  214 ,  218 ,  222  define at least a first forklift pocket  226  and second forklift pocket  230 . Attached to the first post  14  and the first forklift guide  214  may be a strapping bar  234 . Attached to the second post  18  and third forklift guide  222  may be a strapping bar  234 . Attached to the third post  22  and fourth post  26  is a lower rear member  238  and a floor rear member  242 , the floor rear member  242  is located also below the lower rear member  238 . Attached to both the floor rear member  242  and lower front member  238  may be a fourth forklift guide  246 , fifth forklift guide  250 , and sixth forklift guide  254 . The forklift guides  246 ,  250 ,  254  also define at least a first forklift pocket  226  and second forklift pocket  230 . Attached to the third post  22  and the sixth forklift guide  254  may be a strapping bar  234 . Attached to the fourth post  26  and fourth forklift guide  246  maybe a strapping bar  234 . 
     The container  10  comprises an adjustable top  262  and base  266 . The adjustable top  262  can be extended and retracted into the base  266 . In one embodiment, the top can be extended to so that the container has a height of about 6 feet, and the top can be lowered so the container has a height of about 3.5 feet. Of course, the container can be sized to be larger or smaller. The adjustable top  262  comprises the first post member  30 , second post member  34 , third post member  38 , fourth post member  42 , first top bar  54 , second top bar  58 , first adjustable top side member  46 , second adjustable top side member  50 , top front member  142 , and top rear member  154 . The base  266  comprises first post  14 , second post  18 , third post  22 , fourth post  26 , front rotatable gate  98 , first top side member  186 , and second top side member  198 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the storage and transport container  10  loaded with a large tire  258 . The top  262  has been adjusted via the holes  138  and the first spring loaded lock  62 , second spring loaded lock, third spring loaded lock, and fourth spring loaded lock  70 . The first top bar  54 , second top bar  58 , first lower bar  86 , second lower bar  90  lock the tire  258  in place. The top bars may be about 20.5 inches apart, center to center, but may range from about 6 inches apart to 80 inches apart, center to center, or more. The lower bars may be about 15.5 inches apart, center to center, but may range from about 6 inches apart to 80 inches apart, center to center, or more. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the container  10  with the tire  258 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the container  10  from  FIG. 4 . In this view, the bars  54 ,  58 ,  86 , and  90  are shown holding the tire  258  in place.  FIG. 6  is a detail view from  FIG. 5  showing how the tire  258  is held in place by the first lower bar  86  and second lower bar  90 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the container  10  with the front gate  98  rotated into an opened position. In this configuration, the front gate  98  can act as ramp to roll items into the container  10 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a first container  10  with a second container  10 -A stacked on top of it. The containers have self-centering corners. A first side floor member  270  is attached to first post and fourth post. A second side floor member  274  is attached to the second post  18  and third post  22 . The floor front member  210  is generally horizontal until it is near and attaches to the first post  14 . Near the first post  14  the horizontal front member  210  makes an angle has an angle α to the horizontal. The bottom of the first post  14  is generally horizontal. Similarly the first side floor member  270  also attaches to the bottom of the first post  14 . Near the first post  14  the generally horizontal first side floor member  270  makes an angle α to the horizontal at it attaches to the first post  14 . This angling of the first side floor member  270  and the floor front member  210  with the bottom of the first post  14 , creates a self-centering configuration at the first corner  278  such that when this first corner  278  is going to be stacked on another container, the first post member  30  of the bottom container will become centered with respect to the first corner  278  due to the guiding influences of the angles α of the floor front member  210  and the first side floor member  270 . The second corner  282  is configured to be self-centering similar to the first corner  278 , in that the floor front member  210  and second side floor member  274  also makes an angle α when attached to the second post  18 . Similarly, the third corner  286  is self-centering, in that the second side floor member  274  and floor rear member  242  also make an angle α when attached to the third post  22 . Lastly, the fourth corner  290  is also self-centering, in that the floor rear member  242  and first side floor member  270  also make an angle α when attached to the fourth post  26 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the container  10 . In this figure, the three gate hinges  294  are shown. The gate hinges  294  are attached to the front rotatable gate  98  and the lower front member  94 .  FIG. 10  is a detail view of the first spring loaded gate lock  106  from  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  is a detail view of the hinge  294  from  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12  is a detail view of the fourth spring loaded lock  70  from  FIG. 9 . 
     This invention has many advantages. The top portion of the container can be raised and lowered to fit different wheel sizes for transportation and/or storage of different wheel sizes. The portion of the container may lock the wheels in place during transportation, and may be locked in place by four spring loaded locks. The portion of the container can be raised and lowered, and locked in place, to different heights with respect to the lower portion of the container. Wheels or other items being stored and transported may be locked into place by lowering the top portion of the container on to the top of the wheels or other items. The top portion of the container may be locked in place by four spring loaded locks. The spring loaded locks may be located in each corner of the bottom portion of the container. The two top bars may secure the wheel(s) inside the container during transportation. The wheel may be centered on the two lower bars. The container may have a hinged front gate with spring loaded locks, one at each top corner of the gate. The locking bars have a chamfer, so that when the front gate is closed the spring loaded locks automatically engage. The front gate can be slammed close and it will be locked automatically. The container has self-centering stacking corners, that make it relatively to stack and center the containers on top of one another. 
     It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.