Parts container with in and out conveyors

Abstract

A container ( 10, 200 ) includes a body defining an open front ( 22, 222 ) of the container ( 10, 200 ). The container ( 10, 200 ) further includes a plurality of conveyors ( 24, 302, 306, 98, 100, 110, 280, 112 ) within the container ( 10, 200 ) for supporting parts ( 28 ) and for sequentially loading and unloading the parts ( 28 ) on and off the conveyors ( 24, 302, 306, 98, 100, 110, 280, 112 ). The container ( 10, 200 ) includes a pair of fork-lift sleeves ( 124, 126, 227 ) for receiving tongs ( 128, 130 ) of a fork-lift truck to provide for an effective way for loading and unloading the container ( 10, 200 ) with variety of parts ( 28 ) of different shapes and dimensions and for engaging the parts ( 28 ) from different angles and for supporting and sequentially moving the parts ( 28 ) into and out of the container ( 10, 200 ).

1 . A container for storing parts comprising: 
 a body having a bottom, a top, a back and first and second sides extending from said back to an open front;    a pair of conveyors spaced one from the other and extending between said back and said open front within said container for supporting and sequentially moving the parts into and out of said container; and    said container characterized by defining at least one opening adjacent said bottom for receiving tongs of a fork-lift truck.    
   
   
       2 . A container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container includes a pair of vertically spaced bottom beams extending horizontally across said bottom to define said at least one opening.  
   
   
       3 . A container as set forth in  claim 2  including a pair of spaced sleeves supported between said bottom beams for receiving tongs of a fork-lift truck.  
   
   
       4 . A container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said container includes a plurality of interconnected beams including at least one bottom beam defining said opening.  
   
   
       5 . A container as set forth in  claim 4  including a pair of special sleeves extending through said bottom beam to define said opening.  
   
   
       6 . A container as set forth in  claim 3  further defined by at least one front bottom and at least one back bottom beam, said sleeves extending between said front and back bottom beams.  
   
   
       7 . A container as set forth in  claim 6  including a first side bottom beam and a second side bottom beam, said bottom beams interconnected at corners, a pair of front vertical posts and a pair of back vertical posts with one of said posts at each of said corners extending upwardly from the intersections of said front bottom beam and said back bottom beam and said first side bottom beam and said second side bottom beam to respective tops.  
   
   
       8 . A container as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said sleeves extend from said open front toward said back.  
   
   
       9 . A container as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said sleeves extend transversely to said open front between said open front and said back.  
   
   
       10 . A container as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said container characterized by said first conveyor extending from said back to said open front along one of said bottom and top and sides and said second conveyor extending from said back to said open front along a different one of said bottom and top and sides for engaging the parts from different angles.  
   
   
       11 . A container for storing parts comprising: 
 a body having a bottom, a top, a back and first and second sides extending from said back to an open front;    a pair of conveyors spaced one from the other and extending between said back and said open front within said container for supporting and sequentially moving the parts into and out of said container; and    said container characterized by a pair of fork-lift sleeves spaced in parallel relationship to one another for receiving the tongs of the fork-lift truck.    
   
   
       12 . A container as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said bottom includes four corners and a plurality of bottom beams extending between said corners said sleeves supported by a pair of said bottom beams.  
   
   
       13 . A container as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said sleeves extend from said open front toward said back.  
   
   
       14 . A container as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said sleeves extend traversely to said open front between said open front and said back.  
   
   
       15 . A container as set forth in  claim 11  wherein each of said sleeves presents rectangular configuration as viewed in cross section.  
   
   
       16 . A container as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said bottom beams are further defined by a front bottom beam and a back bottom beam and a first side bottom beam and a second side bottom beam interconnected at said corners.  
   
   
       17 . A container as set forth in  claim 16  including a pair of front vertical posts and a pair of back vertical posts with one of said posts at each of said corners extending upwardly from the intersections of said front bottom beam and said back bottom beam and said first side bottom beam and said second side bottom beam to respective tops, a back top beam and a front top beam and a first side top beam and a second side top beam interconnecting said front and back vertical posts.  
   
   
       18 . A container for storing parts comprising: 
 a body having a bottom, a top, a back, and first and second sides extending to an open front;    a first conveyor extending between said back and said open front;    a second conveyor spaced from said first conveyor and extending between said back and said open front within said container for sequentially moving the parts into and out of said container; and    said container characterized by said first conveyor extending from said back to said open front along one of said bottom and top and sides for engaging the parts from different angle.    
   
   
       19 . A container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said first conveyor extends along one of said sides and said second conveyor extends along said bottom.  
   
   
       20 . A container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said first conveyor extends along said top and extends along said bottom.  
   
   
       21 . A container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein each conveyor includes a belt having an inner and an outer surface and a plurality of projections extending outwardly and spaced from one another along said outer surface for cradling the parts therebetween.  
   
   
       22 . A container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said container includes a front bottom beam and a back bottom beam and first and second side bottom beams interconnected at corners.  
   
   
       23 . A container as set forth in  claim 22  including a pair of front vertical posts and a pair of back vertical posts with one of said posts at each of said corners extending upwardly from the intersections of said front bottom beam and said back bottom beam and said first side bottom beam and said second side bottom beam to respective tops, and a back top beam and a front top beam and a first end top beam and a second end top beam interconnecting said front and back vertical posts.  
   
   
       24 . A container as set forth in claim  25  wherein said conveyors are supported by said beams.