US1688437A - Sectional car container - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet l R. T. ROMINE sECTIoNAL CAR CNTAINER Filed June 15, 1927 R. T. ROMINE SEGTIONAL CAR CONTAINER Filed June l5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet Zzvefz for:

4 Sheets-Sheet @ai 23y w28.

R. T. ROMINE SECTIONAL CAR CONTAINER Filed June l5, 1927 By J @Que/L) COQJANL @3Q/Q orn ya Oct. 23, 1928.

R. T. ROMINE SECTIONAL CAR CONTAINER Filed'June l5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Get. 23, 1928.

NITED STATESl ROBERT T. ROMINE, OF MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN.

SECTIONAL CAR CONTAINER.

Application filed .Tune 15, 1927. Serial No. 199,100.v

This invention relates to shipping containers or sections adapted particularly for shipment upon flat railway cars in sectional box car manner, and more particularly to containers which are adapted to be loaded onto or unloaded from the flat car at landing or loading docks iira railway transportation system.

An object of the invention is to provide sectional box car containers o improved construction capable of being rapidly and easily hoisted by means of a crane or lifted from beneath by means of a lift truck, and wherein the containers when in position upon the car preferably provide sectional overhead walkways of such improved construction as to permit trainmen to cross the tops of containers readily and safely during transit.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of my improved sectional freight car showing one manner in which the containers are mounted upon the flat car floor or platform.'

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryone ot' the shipping containers or of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one ot the detachable legs or'the container section of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 'showing the legs of Fig. 4 assembled with the container.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, partly in section, of the container and detachable leg.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary snle elevation of a container' section with its supporting legs in place.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detall of one corner of the container section'of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of my improved sectional freight car showlng a 'modified form of container section and means for maintaining the section in position upon the fiat car floor or platform.

Fig-10 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the container section of Figs. 9 and 10 showing means for front elevation of car sectlons of Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive.

supporting the section when removed from t-he freight car.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which the lower part of the container of Fig. 11 is constructed.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the locking means for the containers Before explaining 1n detail the present invention, and the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and ar'- rangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is l capable .ot other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art.

My improved container is illustrated, by

way of example, in connection with a. rail-` way transportation system at a railway terminal, although it may be used at industrial plants or storage warehouses where 'large quantities of material are handled. For instance, the invention is adapted for use not' only at railway freight terminals for the handling and s lipping of freight, merchandise, parcel post, express material, etc., or at shipping docks for steamboat'transportation, but also in various manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry. Automobile parts, including kparts to be shipped to assembly'plants in different sections of the country, or spare and replacement parts to `be shipped to dealers, garages, etc., may be -handled and shipped in the containers directly from the shipper to the consignee in accordance with the present invention. l

The present application is a continuation in part of my applications Serial No. 184,384, filed April 16, 1927, and Serial No. 199,099, filed June 15, 1927.,

Where the shipping containers are transported upon a flat car, as shown for the purpose of illustration in the present case, Hat

cars of standard construction may be used v that the containers will be supported against displacement during transit. The containers and the supporting means secured to the car floor for maintainmg'the containers in position during transiare so constructed as to enable the containers to be readily loaded or unloaded fro'm the cars, easily locked in position when loaded or easily released to enable the container sections to be unloaded at desi- .v nation. In one form illustrated herein the containers may be provided with leg supports which ermit them to be picked up and transported rom point to point upon the lift platform of a power driven lift truck, but in transporting the containers on the carriers, such as a railway flat car, the leg supports are preferably detached from the container so as to provide greater stability in transit on account of the shocks and collisions to which the ears aresubjeeted.

In Figs. l to,8 inclusive I have shown one manner of mounting the shippingcontainers upon the Hoor or platform B1. of a railway 4flatcar or carrier B. The car is positioned upon railway tracks RR and contains a series or group of separate and individual shipping containers or sections each shown as a whole at C. Each container is a complete unit and is provided with doors at opposite ends together with a pair of walkways positioned above the roof of the container section. Together, the' group of sections, when mounted upon the platform B1 present the appearance of a complete box car.

Each of the container sections C is provided with a bottom or floor comprising cross board bound around the four edges by means of angles 20, a roof or top 21, side walls 22, 22, and end walls 23 each of which is preferably provided with swinging doors 24 and 25.

The skeleton frame structure of each container section comprises, preferably, vertically extending angle bars 26 and 27 at the front and rear respectively of each side wall, these vertical . members 26 and 27 being connected at their lower ends with the container section floor angle 20 by means of gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively, and supporting at their upper ends curved orl substantially archshaped angles 28 which form supporting means for the top or roof 21 of the section, the angles 26, 27' and 28 being connected together by means of gusset `plates 128. Extending substantially horizontally along each side Wall 22 and preferably on the inner side of each` wall, are a plurality of spaced angles 29, these angles being connected at their ends with the vertical angles 26 and 27 by means of gusett plates 129, one of whichA is' provided for each slightly above the roof structure 21 at the side thereof. Y

To additionally brace the container section, I provide a pair of metal tie bars 31, 32 which are secured at their lower ends to the gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively and to each of the horizontal angles 29 and likewise to the roof 'supporting angle 28. It will be noted that the bars 31 and 32 extend upwardly in converging relation and also that the upper ends of the bars project considerably above the roof 21 at substantially its transverse center. Connected with the upper projecting ends of the members 31 and 32 by means of rivets or the like are a pair of angle plates 33 and 34 having inwardly extending flanges 33"L and 34 respectively, positioned back to back. Connected to the opposite outer faces of these flanges are a. pair abutting channels 35, the web portions of which are positioned back to back to form a bail 36 for the container section. It will be understood that the several angles, gusset plates and'tie bars herein referred to are connected together' to form an integral structure, preferably by means of rivets, although it may be found desirable to employ bolts or other securing means for this purpose. The metal side walls 22, 22 entirelyl enclose the framework of the container.

Mounted upon the roof 21 of the section and rigidly connected therewith, is a transversely extending and preferably substantially centrally located walkway 40, this walkway comprising a pair of spaced angles 41 connected at opposite ends with plates or gussets 42, which plates or gussets are in turn connected with and supported by the roof supporting angle 28. The angles 41 are like- Wise connected with the brace members 30, 31 and 32 to prevent any possibility of sagging at the central portion thereof. Mounted upon'the angles 41 in any suitable manner and likewise extending transversely of the container section, are a plurality of boards 43 which together form the walkway. By proresalte? supporting structure for the brakeman when walking along the top of the group of container sections forming the box car B.

In order to provide means for effecting a detachable connection between adjacent container sections at their upper portions and likewise to prevent any possibility of relative displacement of the containers when the car is in transit, each of the gusset plates 128 is provided with an extension or projection 128, which extension or projection is provided with a slot or aperture for the reception of a bolt as hereinafter described.

The doors 24 and 25 are pivotally connected with the end walls 23 of the container section by means of hinges 37 of any suitable construction. The door is provided with a plate 25 at its free edge, this late being se- K lwhole at in Fig. 4. Each container seccured to the door and being a apted to overlap the free edge of the door 24 when the doors are closed, as shown in the dra-wings. The door 25 is likewise provided with locking means in the form of a pair of reciprocable rods 25b connected with a cam member 25C which is pivoted `at 25d to the door. The cam member is provided with an operating handle or lever 25e which, when the doors are closed, is adapted to engage and be supported by a. slotted stop 24a mounted upon the door 24. At the upper and lower edges of the door 25, guide members 25f are provided which serve to support and maintain against accidental displacement, the rods 25h. These guides likewise serve to cause the ends of the rods 25h, when in their projected or operative position, to register with apertures formed 1n angle plates Yor keepers 23a. This construction permits the doors to be simultaneously locked together to prevent any accidental or unauthorized opening of the doors, it being understood, of course, that the usual seal is applied to the operating handle or lever 25 to maintain it against movement relative to the stop 24a. The dual locking means permits the authorized opening of both doors by a simple and convenient operation.

The floor, including the angles 20, of each container section, is provided'on its under side adjacent one longitudinal edge with a metal supporting plate 45. At the outer edge of each platek45 there is provided a longitudinally extending plate or strip 46 which is maintained in spaced relation with respect to the plate 45 by means of a narrow filler strip or bar 47 interposed therebetween. The plates 45, 46 and the strip 47 are all secured together and to the-floor angles 20 by means of bolts 46a. At the inner longitudinal edge of each plate 45 there is provided an angle bar 48 having a vertical flange 48a and a horizontal flange 48", the latter flange being maintained in spaced relation with respect to the plate 45 by interposing between the flange and plate, a filler strip or bar 49. The

members 48h, 49 and 45 are secured together and to the floor angles by means of bolts 480", which bolts are provided with countersunk heads so as to lie flush with the exposed surface of the flange 48b (see Fig. 6). The flange 48a of each angle 48 is provided adjacent its opposite ends with a hole or slot 480a. It will be seen, therefore, that by so positioning the plate 46 and the angle 48 and maintaining them inspa'ced relation with respect to the plate 45, a longitudinal guideway or channel 5() is provided at each under side of the cont-ainer. It will be noted (see Fig. 3) that the guideway or channel construction at each longitudinal edge of the under surface of the floor is identical.

The guideways or channels 5() are provided v for the purpose of supporting, when desirable, detachable leg members indicated as a tion is preferably provided with four leg members, there being a pair of such members removably supported by the guideways or channels at each longitudinal side of the floor. Each leg 55 comprises a vertical channel 56 having parallel flanges 56"' and a central web 56a which is rigidly connected adj acent its upper end with the vertical flange 57 a of a relatively short angle bar 57 by means of rivets 560, the flange and the web being positioned back to back. The horizontal flange 57 b of the angle 57 overlies and is in engagement with the upper end of: the channel. The angle 57 is of sufficient length to extend considerably ,beyond the parallel flanges 561 of the channel. Mounted upon the horizontal flange 57 b and supported thereby is a plate 58, the plate being connected with the flange in any suitable manner. A brace member 59 in the form of a bar which is bent to provide a foot portion 59a and upwardly and outwardly flared portions 59", having at their upper free ends out-turned portions or flanges 59C, is connected with the channel and the flange 57b by means of rivets 590b and 590, respectively. The vertical flange 57a is provided adjacent each end with an aperture or slot 570a adapted to register with any one of the holes or apertures 480a provided in the vertical flange 48a of the angle bar 48, when the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, thus providing standard legs which are interchangeable. To apply the legs or supporting members to a container section it is merely necessary to insert the plate 58 of the leg in the guideway or channel 50, slide it. into place, and bring the apertures or holes 4801l and 570u of the respective members into register. When in this position a bolt 15 having a countersunk head 15n is inserted into the holes and a nut 16 applied thereto, thus preventing the accidental displacement of the leg member.

When the container sections C are supported upon the car floor B1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the detachable legs -tainer section is removed from the car.

method of removing or unloading the conare removed. For the purpose of supporting each container section upon the caroor and maintaining it against relative longitudinal movement thereupon, a series of pairs `of transversely disposed spaced apart mem'- bers are provided. These members in the present instance each comprises an angle bar 60 having a horizontal flange 60a detachably mounted upon the car floor by means of bolts 61, and a vertical or upstanding flange 601. The flanges provide means for receiving and supporting a Wood block 62`Which is detachably connected with and secured tofthe. vertical flange 60b by means of a series of bolts 62, the heads of which are countersunk so as to lie flush with the outer face of the flange. The space between each pair of supporting members of a container section is determined by thev space between the angles 48 carried at the under side of the container section floor and is governed bythe size of the container section. When a container is placed upon the car floor B1 and supported by the angles 60 andthe bloclrs 62, it will be seen that the verl tical or depending flanges 481 lie outside and in abutting relation to the vertical flanges 601. A bolt 63 is provided at each side of the container-section (Fig. 2) and isinserted through the hole 480A formed in the vertical flange L18a and in a similarly pre-located hole or slot provided in the vertical angle 601 and the Wood block or strip 62, to hold the parts in fixed relation and maintain the container section in position upon the car floor B1. A

nut 64 is threaded upon the en d of each bolty to maintain it in position. In order to maintain adjacent sections in position at their upper portions and to restrict their relative movement and accidental displacement during transit, l provide a bolt and nut 65 which is adapted to be inserted through the slot or aperture formed in the projecting portions or ears 128 of adjacent sections. rl`hus it Will `be seen that when the container sections are in position upon the car floor, they are maintained against accidental displacement relatively thereto.

From the foregoing it will be seen t'hat the means provided upon the under side of each container section floor performs a dual function, namely that of maintaining the containers in 'position upon the car floor or platform B1 and restricting their relative displacement When the car is in transit, and also serve as means for receiving and supporting the detachable leg members 55 when the ('pritainer sections from the cai or loading them upon the car, as well as the improved apparatus for performing the method, has een fully shown and' described in my co-pending app7lication, Serial. No. 173,761 filed March 8, 192

It will be understood that-When the con- 1,608,039 issued November 23, 1926, which platforms serve to support the container sections when removed from the freight car and facilitate the handling of the sections at railway landing or loading docks.

ln. the modified form 0f my invention the structural features with the exception of the container floor and supporting structure thereof and the means for locking the containers in position upon the freight car and to one another, are identical with those shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive.

The flat freight car B shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is provided with the usual floor or platform B1. Mounted upon the floor and extending longitudinally thereof adjacent each edge is an angle bar D having a horizontal flange D1 secured to the car plat-form by means of bolts or the like E, and a vertical or upstanding flange D2. The angle bars D are provided for the purpose of preventing the accidental lateral movement or displacement of the container sections when the car is in transit. Each angle bar is Aprovided at pre-determined spaced intervals with container section guiding and securing or .locking means in the form of units F to be fully described hereinafter.

In addition to providing the gusset plates 128l with projections or ears 128a as shown in Fig. 2, the gusset plates 126 and 127 of the container section of Figs. 9 to 13 inclusiveY are also provided with projections or ears 126 and 127a respectively, which project through the end Walls 23 and are provided With slots or apertures.

In the construction shown in Figs; 11 to 13 inclusive, the floor boards 122 of the container are supported around the four marginal edges of the floor by means of angle bars or truss Ymembers 120. These angle bars are rigidly 120nextend inwardly from the container walls and provide means for supporting the. floor boards 122. The floor boards are secured to the horizontal flanges 120 by means of bolts or the like 128 having countersunk heads so as tol lie flush With the under surface of the flange 1201. The nuts 124 when threaded upon the bolts 123 lie Within countersunk recesses or depressions 122 formed in the up-y per surfaces of the boards 122.

necting them to the Vbail structure 36 through the medium of the tie bars 31 and 32 and the' In Fig. 13 I have shown in detail a pair of.

such container section guiding and looking means mounted upon one of the angle bars D. Each angle bai` is provided at pre-determined spaced intervals with a pair of units F including a pair of vertically disposed plates or gussets each of which is positioned back to back with one face of the vertical or upstanding flange D2, preferably the inner face ofthe flange, and secured thereto by means of rivets or the like 51 to form an integral part ofthe angle bar. Each plate or gusset supports a relatively short angle bar 52 hav-` ing a ange 52a which 1s positioned back to back with the outer face of the plate or gusset and secured thereto by means of rivets or the like. The angle bar 52 is also provided with an outwardly projecting portion or flange 52b having a slot or aperture 520 therein.

^ The upper end of the angle 52 is curved as shown at 152 to provide a cam surface or guide means for the earor projection 126l v or 127 a of the container section when the section is being lowered into position upon the car floor or platform B1. The flanges 52b of the short .angles 52 are opposed or in j uxtaposition and spaced apart sufficiently to permit the entry therebetween of-the ears` 126a or 127 when a container section is being lowered into position upon the car floor. It will be understood that the location of the units F along-the angle bars D is determined by the size of the container sections. It will also be understood that a single unit F is mounted upon the longitudinal angle bar D at each end thereof (see Fig. 9)' since it is only necessary to employ a pair of such units at the intersection of adjacent container sections as shown in Fig. r13. If desirable the plates 50 and angles 52 may be secured together to form the units by means of spot welding. After the container sections have been lowered into position upon the car floor or platform as shown in the drawings, with the parts in their operative relations as shown in detail in Fig. 13, a bolt. 125 is inserted through the several alignedl apertures orslots provided in the angles 52 and the ears 126n or 127, as the case may be, and

providing t-he floor angles 1.20 and con#- a nut applied thereto to lock the parts in position against relative movement or displacement when the car is in transit.

' From the foregoing it will be understood that the container section guiding and locking means in the form of the units F are preferably positioned in pairs along the longitudinal angles D where adjacent containers are to be locked together upon the car floor, whereas it is only necessary to provide a single unit at opposite ends of the angles D.

It will also be understood that by providing the relatively short angles 52 of the units F with curved upper ends, they serve to guide or direct a container section into its proper position upon the car `plat-form B1 when it is being lowered into position to be supported thereby. It will be seen that the units F thus provide relatively simple means for guiding the container sections into position upon the car platform and likewise serve as means which cooperate with the ears or projections on the container sections for locking the parts together. 4 Where containers of the form shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive are employed, they are preferably supported when not in transit on the freight car by means of portable platforms previously referred to, one of which is shown at P in Fig. 11.

I claim:

1. A shipping container comprising a load supporting floor and side walls, structural angle bars embracing opposite edges of the floor and having horizontal flan es extending beneath the floor, diverging tie ars at opposite sides of the container connected to said angle bars, and a transverse lifting bail connecting the upper ends of said tie bars.

2. A shipping container comprising a load supporting Hoor, floor framing angle members having flanges extending beneath the floor, roof framing angle members, upright corner posts connecting said angle members at the four corners of the container, side walls and a roof enclosing said framework, an overhead lifting bail extending centrally above said roof, and a pair of diverging tie bars at each side of the container connecting said bail and floor framing angle members.

3. A shipping container comprising a load supporting floor and side walls, structural angle bars embracing opposite edges of the floor and having horizontal flanges extending beneath the floor, diverging tie bars at oppositesides of the container connected to said angle bars', a transverse lifting bail connecting the upper ends of said tie bars, and a walkway extending transversely above said` side walls and secured to said tie bars.

4. A shipping container comprising a load supporting floor and side walls, structural angle bars embracing opposite 4edges of theA floor and having horizontal flanges extending beneath the floor, diverging tie bars at opposite Sides of the container connected to said ed above said side Walls, a transverse centralangle bars, a transverse liftin bail connect- 1y located lifting bail mounted above .said ing the upper ends of said .t1e bars, and a roof, and :L board walk supported beneath 10 Walkway extending transversely above said said bail at each side thereof and extending l 5 side Walls at each slde of said bail. parallel thereto.

5. A ship ing container comprising a load 1n testimony whereof I aix my signature. supporting oor and side walls, a roof mount- ROBERT T ROMINE.

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