Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to a bulkhead for dividing a cargo container into a first compartment and a second compartment. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Cargo containers, such as those used in railcars and trailers for tractor trailer vehicles, often have the capacity to ship a relatively large volume of goods. To efficiently use space in cargo containers, it may become necessary to load the cargo container with goods from different suppliers for delivery to multiple destinations. 
   For example, two families moving from New York to California may each require only a section, or portion, of the potential cargo volume available in the cargo container. Alternatively, shipping goods from different suppliers from a port to multiple distribution centers can require the goods be placed in a single cargo container for a cost effective means of transportation. However, it may be highly desirable to provide a way to prevent the different goods from co-mingling. 
   One prior art solution to this problem is illustrated by  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container and divider disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,828. As shown, the container  10  has a secured divider  12  separating the container  10  into a first secured compartment  14  and a second non-secured compartment  16 . The divider  12  must be placed into a base  30  before the entire divider  12  is secured into place. The &#39;828 patent discloses placing a first bar  32  on one side of the divider  12  and a second bar  40  on the opposite side of the divider  12 . Such divider  12  is difficult to maneuver into place and lock. Consequently, a need exists for a bulkhead for dividing a cargo container into two compartments that is secure and is relatively easy to place into service. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed towards a bulkhead for dividing a container into multiple compartments. In one aspect, the bulkhead comprises a first side facing the first compartment and a second side facing a second compartment and the bulkhead is configured to extend between opposing walls and between the roof and floor of the cargo container. In one aspect, the bulkhead is secured into position by a bar attached to the first side of the bulkhead that mounts to trucks or opposing walls. 
   The above, as well as additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following written, detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believe characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art container; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bulkhead for dividing a cargo contained into a first compartment and a second compartment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a bulkhead assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bulkhead assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bulkhead for dividing a cargo container into a first compartment and a second compartment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a bulkhead assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bulkhead  100  comprises a first side  110  facing a first compartment  111  and a second side  120  facing the second compartment  112 . The bulkhead is configured to extend substantially from the first wall  131  to the second wall  132  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and to the container top  133  and the container bottom  134 . The bulkhead can comprise one or more sections and, as shown, comprises a first section  101  and a second section  102 . In one embodiment, the bulkhead comprises ⅝-inch plywood. Also shown are two bars  140  extending from the first wall  131  to the second wall  132  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Although two bars  140  are shown, the invention can comprise one or more bars mounted in such a manner. Notably, the bars  140  are mounted only to the first side  110  of the bulkhead. In one embodiment, the second side comprises no brackets, locks or bars. 
   In one embodiment, the bulkhead comprises a first section  101  and a second section  102  which are substantially equal in size. It should, however, be pointed out that one or more sections having varying sizes can be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the bar  140  further comprises a first bar  141  and a second bar  142 , the first bar  141  and second bar  142  being attached by a collar  145 . The collar  145  can be integral with either the first bar  141  or the second bar  142 . If the collar  145  is integral with the first bar  141 , then the second bar  142  is slidably disposed into the collar  145 . Similarly, if the second bar  142  comprises an integral collar  145 , the first bar  141  can be slidably disposed into the collar  145 . In one embodiment, the first bar  141  second bar  142  and adjustable bar  144  comprise a cast aluminum housing. Of course, other suitable materials can be used. 
   In one embodiment, as best depicted by the exploded bar  140  shown in  FIG. 3 , an adjustable rack gear  152  has a left end and a right end. The right end can be attached to the adjustable bar  144  the left end can be disposed against the second bar  142 . The adjustable bar  144  can be slidably disposed in the second bar  142  and the paddle handle  154  can be closed to lock the adjustable bar  144  into position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first bar  141 , second bar  142  and/or the adjustable bar  144  can be attached to the bulkhead  100  by angle brackets  160  as needed. In one embodiment, the angle brackets comprise 3/16-inch thick mild steel and are attached to the bulkhead by ⅜-inch carriage bolts and secured with ⅜-inch nyloc nuts. Of course, such specific embodiment is provided only for purposes of illustration and not limitation. In one embodiment, the angle brackets  160  comprise an elliptical opening  162  having a major axis which is substantially vertical. Such embodiment permits the bar  140  to have some play. Such embodiment advantageously facilitates placement of the bulkhead into position as shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, such embodiment advantageously minimizes stress on the bulkhead which inevitably occurs during bumpy driving conditions. For example, if the bar  140  is attached rigidly to the bulkhead  110  and the cargo container experiences bumps due to rough road conditions, the angle brackets  160  can become separated from the bulkhead  100  resulting in commingling of goods, potential damage to the shipment, and requiring time consuming repair. 
   In one embodiment, the bar  140  comprises jack mounts  149  disposed at each end to attach the bar  140  to slots in either a horizontal track  170 , or a vertical track  180 . Consequently, in one embodiment, the bulkhead comprises a bar  140  which further comprises a jack mount  149  which can be removeably attached to a track  170   180  on the first wall  131  or second wall  132  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
   In one embodiment, the jack bar  149  is welded to the first bar  141  and/or to the second bar  144 . In one embodiment, the first bar  141  and adjustable bar  144  comprise a slot to permit the jack bar to be inserted and welded. Of course, any suitable attachment means can be used. 
   The bulkhead assembly can be installed as follows: 
   First, in a cargo container having a first wall  131 , a second wall  132  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), a top  133 , and a bottom  134  the first bulkhead section  101  and second bulkhead section  102  can be placed adjacent one another after the front portion of the cargo container or second compartment  112  has been loaded with cargo. The bulkhead sections  101   102 , in one embodiment, have angle brackets  160  pre-installed or the first side  110 . In one embodiment, prior to placement of first bulkhead section  101 , the second bar  142  and adjustable bar  144  are disposed through the elliptical openings  162  of the angle brackets  160 . Similarly, the first bar  141  can be disposed in the elliptical openings  162  of the angle bracket  160  of the second bulkhead section  102 . After the bulkhead  100  has been placed into position the first bar  141  and second bar  142  can be attached via a collar  145  and locked into place with a spring clip pin  146  or other suitable device. The jack mount  149  attached to the adjustable bar  144  can then be secured into a slot in the removeable track  170  or a vertical track  180 . Other bars  140  can be latched into place by similar method. 
   In one embodiment, if two or more bars  140  are utilized, the adjustable ends  144  can be alternated. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper adjustable bar  144  is adjacent the first wall  131  and the lower adjustable bar  144  is adjacent the second wall (not shown). Such embodiment may be advantageous for installation and security purposes and to minimize the required number of components for a complete bulkhead assembly. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bulkhead assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the bulkhead  100  comprises mounting brackets  172  for placing sections of removeable track  170 . Vertical tracks  180  are typically installed at two foot increments inside a cargo trailer. Because space in cargo containers is sold by the foot, the removeable tracks can be placed on the vertical tracks  180  to advantageously place the bulkhead such that only the space required is purchased. 
   The present invention provides several advantages. One advantage is that the bulkhead can be flipped 180 degrees, thus installers will not have to worry about which side is up or which side is down. The present invention provides a bulkhead which can be used without the need of a bulky cumbersome base unit. Further, because the bars  140  are mounted only to the first side  110  of the bulkhead, it is easier to install and uninstall. The security between compartments is still maintained, as the paddle  154  can be locked with a padlock to secure the bulkhead once the bulkhead has been placed into position. Additionally, the elongated, elliptical opening  162  and the angle brackets  160  provide for play which preserves the integrity and operational lifespan of the bulkhead assembly. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 7