Air cargo containers

Abstract

The application discloses a load spreader for reinforcing the floor ( 2 ) of an air cargo container so generally reducing the deformation of the container and improving its performance. The application also discloses a light weight rigid floor to replace the floor of a conventional aluminium air cargo container.

1 . A load spreader for installation in the floor of an air cargo container comprising a skin of moulded plastics forming a shell ( 13 ) and a foam ( 14 ) filling the shell ( 13 ).  
     
     
         2 . A load spreader according to  claim 1  having a shell ( 13   a ) which completely envelopes the foam ( 14 ).  
     
     
         3 . A load spreader according to  claim 2  wherein the shell has an upper shell membrane ( 13   c ) which is substantially thicker than an underlying lower shell membrane ( 13   b ).  
     
     
         4 . A load spreader according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a frame is provided inside the shell.  
     
     
         5 . A load spreader according to  claim 4  wherein the frame comprises an arrangement of interlocking longitudinally extending members ( 8 ) and laterally extending members ( 9 ) to stiffen the load spreader and so reduce bending.  
     
     
         6 . A load spreader according to  claim 5  wherein the laterally extending members ( 9 ) are received into closely fitting holes ( 8   c ) formed in the longitudinally extending members ( 8 ) to interlock the members of the frame.  
     
     
         7 . A load spreader according to any one of  claims 4  to  7  wherein at least some of the frame members ( 8 ) extend between the inside of the upper membrane ( 13   c ) of the shell and the lower surface of the foam core.  
     
     
         8 . A load spreader according to any one of the preceding claims formed from a plurality of sections ( 16 ), each section ( 16 ) comprising a shell completely enveloping a foam core ( 14 ) and containing a reinforcing frame formed from interlocking longitudinal members ( 8 ) and laterally extending members ( 9 ), each section ( 16 ) having at least one long edge formed with a profile complementary to the profile of the opposite edge whereby each section can be fastened to an adjacent edge of a similar section.  
     
     
         9 . An air cargo container having a load spreader according to any one of  claims 1  to  8  placed across its original floor.  
     
     
         10  An air cargo container according to  claim 9  wherein the load spreader is shaped to have a loose sliding fit against the walls and floor of the container.  
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a load spreader comprising the steps of: 
 introducing a plastics material into a mould from which a skin is moulded to form an enveloping shell ( 13 ),    introducing a foam ( 14 ) to the mould to form a foam core filling the shell ( 13 ),    opening the mould and removing the load spreader.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  including the step of introducing a frame to the mould before moulding the shell and the foam core.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11  or  12  wherein the moulding produced is a section of a load spreader, and including the further steps of securing several sections ( 16 ) together to form a load spreader by interengaging profiles ( 17 ,  18 ) formed on the long edges of each section ( 16 ).  
     
     
         14 . A method of reinforcing an air cargo container comprising the step of lacing a load spreader on the original floor ( 2 ) of the container.  
     
     
         15 . A floor for an air cargo container comprising; 
 a hollow shell ( 13   d ) of plastics material completely enveloping a foam core ( 14 ), said shell ( 13   d ) having edges adapted to engage upstanding walls ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) of a floorless air cargo container.    
     
     
         16 . A floor according to  claim 15  wherein the edges of the shell are provided by adaptive edge members ( 20 ) which are permanently fastened to the edges of the shell ( 13   d ) and adapt the shell ( 13   d ) to the dimensions and features of a range of air cargo containers.  
     
     
         17 . A floor according to  claim 16  wherein the adaptive edge members are formed with profiled surfaces ( 21 ) complementary to surfaces on the edges of the shell which allow the edges and the shell to be secured together.  
     
     
         18 . A floor according to  claim 17  wherein the shell is reinforced by an internal frame of interlocking longitudinal members ( 8 ) and laterally extending members ( 9 ).  
     
     
         19 . A floor according to  claim 18  wherein the ends ( 9   c ) of at least some of the frame members ( 9 ) project from the edges of the shell and slot into holes formed in the adaptive edge members ( 20 ).