Freight container

Abstract

A liftable freight container ( 1 ) is provided with a support frame (F) mounted on hinges (H) on a support strut (S) to define a triangular structure, a stay (T) being pivotally mounted at the apex and having its distal end releasable connected ( 20 ) to the base ( 2 ) of the container. This strengthens the container for lifting at its corner fittings ( 8, 9 ). The stay can be folded back against the frame to allow the latter to be swung outwardly for loading/unloading.

1 . A freight container including a base, a roof, fitting means located on the roof for lifting the container and/or stacking a further container on the roof, and support means moveable between a closed load-bearing position for transferring a load between the fitting means and the base and an open loading position in which the support means allows side access for loading and unloading the container, wherein the support means comprises a frame hingedly mounted on the container so that it can swing open from one side of the container and a stay carried on the frame and moveable relative to the frame between a retracted portion in which it allows side access to the container and an extended position in which its distal end is coupled to a structural member of the container.  
     
     
         2 . A freight container according to  claim 1  wherein the support means is hingedly fixed to a post of the freight container.  
     
     
         3 . A freight container according to  claim 1  wherein the frame extends between two spaced-apart hinges.  
     
     
         4 . A freight container according to  claim 3  wherein the hinges define a substantially vertical hinge axis.  
     
     
         5 . A freight container according to  claim 1  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         6 . A freight container according to  claim 1  wherein, in the closed load-bearing position, the stay extends diagonally from a pivot on the frame to a releasable connection to said structural member.  
     
     
         7 . A freight container according to  claim 5  wherein the distal end of the stay has an elongate aperture arranged to receive a pin of the locking means with sufficient play to allow limited flexing of the container.  
     
     
         8 . Cancel.  
     
     
         9 . A freight container according to  claim 2  wherein the frame extends between two spaced-apart hinges.  
     
     
         10 . A freight container according to  claim 9  wherein the hinges define a substantially vertical hinge axis.  
     
     
         11 . A freight container according to  claim 2  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         12 . A freight container according to  claim 3  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         13 . A freight container according to any preceding  claim 4  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         14 . A freight container according to any preceding  claim 9  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         15 . A freight container according to any preceding  claim 10  wherein locking means are provided for locking the support means in the closed load-bearing position.  
     
     
         16 . A freight container according to  claim 2  wherein, in the closed load-bearing position, the stay extends diagonally from a pivot on the frame to a releasable connection to said structural member.  
     
     
         17 . A freight container according to  claim 3  wherein, in the closed load-bearing position, the stay extends diagonally from a pivot on the frame to a releasable connection to said structural member.  
     
     
         18 . A freight container according to  claim 10  wherein, in the closed load-bearing position, the stay extends diagonally from a pivot on the frame to a releasable connection to said structural member.  
     
     
         19 . A freight container according to  claim 15  wherein, in the closed load-bearing position, the stay extends diagonally from a pivot on the frame to a releasable connection to said structural member.  
     
     
         20 . A freight container according to  claim 7  wherein the distal end of the stay has an elongate aperture arranged to receive a pin of the locking means with sufficient play to allow limited flexing of the container.  
     
     
         21 . A freight container according to  claim 19  wherein the distal end of the stay has an elongate aperture arranged to receive a pin of the locking means with sufficient play to allow limited flexing of the container.