Storage and transport apparatus with removeable locking means

Abstract

A storage and transport apparatus with a substantially rectangular base platform which is provided in each of four corner regions, with a locating socket for releasably receiving a supporting rod is characterised in that at least one of the locating sockets is provided with a releasable locking device for co-operating in a positive and/or non-positive fit with a supporting rod, where the locking device prevents the supporting rod from being removed from the locating socket in a locked state and permits removal in a released state.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . A storage and transport apparatus ( 1 ,  1 ′) with a substantially rectangular base platform ( 2 ) which is provided, in each of four corner regions, with a locating socket ( 16 ) for releasably receiving a supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ), characterised in that at least one of the locating sockets ( 16 ) is provided with a releasable locking means ( 100  for co-operating in a positive and/or non-positive fit with a supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ), where the locking means ( 100 ) prevents the supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ) from being removed from the locating socket ( 16 ) in a locked state and permits removal in a released state. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , characterised in that the locking means ( 100 ) has a locking member which engages in openings or holes ( 126 ,  28 ,  26 ) drilled in the locating socket. ( 16 ) and the supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ) 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , characterised in that the locking means ( 100 ) is designed as a spring-loaded or weight-loaded pivotable locking lever ( 102 ). 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , characterised in that the locking lever ( 102 ) is offset in a V-shape and has a locking arm ( 114 ) that can be pivoted into the locating socket ( 16 ) and an actuation arm ( 112 ) projecting from the locating socket ( 16 ). 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , characterised in that the locating socket ( 16 ) is rectangular or square in cross-section, the locking lever ( 102 ) being mounted on a side wall and pivotable about a pivot axis ( 108 ) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the locating socket ( 16 ). 
   
   
       38 . A storage and transport apparatus ( 1 ,  1 ′) with a substantially rectangular base platform ( 2 ) which is provided, in each of four corner regions, with a locating socket ( 16 ) for receiving a supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ), characterised in that at least one locating socket ( 16 ) is provided with a releasable base platform locking means ( 120 ,  150 ) for co-operating in a positive and/or non-positive fit with a locating socket ( 16 ) of a further base platform ( 2 ) placed on or beneath it and/or a supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ) joined on beneath it, where the base platform locking means ( 120 ,  150 ) prevents the base platform ( 2 ) from being removed from the further base platform ( 2 ) or from the supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ) in a locked state and permits removal in a released state. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 38 , characterised in that the base platform locking means ( 120 ,  150 ) has a locking member which engages in openings or holes ( 126 ,  28 ,  26 ) drilled in the locating socket ( 16 ) and the supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ). 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , characterised in that the locking member is designed as a flexible tongue ( 132 ) or hook ( 124 ) or as a W-clip or folding split pin. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus as claimed in either of  claims 33  or  38 , characterised in that at least one locating socket ( 16 ) is equipped, on the underside, with a centring shoulder ( 22 ) for co-operating in a centring fashion with a locating socket ( 16 ) of a further base platform ( 2 ) located beneath it or with a supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ) joined on from below. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , characterised in that the centring shoulder ( 22 ) projects from the locating socket ( 16 ) and is provided with an opening ( 117 ), the base platform locking means ( 150 ) and the opening ( 117 ) being in matching positions such that, in use, the base platform locking means ( 150 ) can cooperate with an opening ( 117 ) of a centring shoulder ( 22 ) of a further base platform ( 2 ). 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 38 , characterised in that at least one of the locating sockets ( 16 ) is provided with a releasable locking means ( 100 ) for cooperating in a positive and/or non-positive fit with a supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ), where the locking means ( 100 ) prevents the supporting rod ( 20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ) from being removed from the locating socket ( 16 ) in a locked position and permits removal in a released state. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , characterised in that the base platform locking means ( 120 ,  150 ) can be operated via an actuation means ( 158 ) together with the locking means ( 100 ). 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , characterised in that the locking means ( 100 ) is designed as a spring-loaded or weight-loaded, pivotable locking or operating lever ( 102 ). 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 45 , characterised in that the locking or operating lever ( 102 ,  160 ) is offset in a V-shape and has a locking arm ( 114 ) that can be pivoted into the locating socket ( 16 ) and an actuation arm ( 112 ) projecting from the locating socket ( 16 ). 
   
   
       47 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 45 , characterised in that the locating socket ( 16 ) is rectangular or square in cross-section, the locking or operating lever ( 102 ,  160 ) being mounted on a side wall and pivotable about a pivot axis ( 162 ) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the locating socket ( 16 ). 
   
   
       48 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 45 , characterised in that the locking or operating lever ( 102 ,  160 ) is provided with a weight ( 110 ) on its actuation arm ( 112 ). 
   
   
       49 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 46 , characterised in that the base platform locking means ( 150 ) comprises a latch ( 152 ) which is mounted in the interior of the centring member ( 22 ) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 154 ). 
   
   
       50 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 49 , characterised in that the latch ( 152 ) is connected to the locking means ( 100 ) via an actuation means ( 158 ). 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus as claimed in either of  claims 33  or  38 , characterised in that at least one of the locating sockets ( 16 ) has a supporting rod ( 20 ;  20   a ,  20   b ) inserted in it, which can be composed of two or more rod parts ( 20   a ,  20   b ), wherein a releasable rod locking means ( 130 ,  190 ,  200 ) is disposed on one end portion of the supporting rod ( 20 ;  20   a ,  20   b ) and/or on at least one connecting area between two rod parts ( 20   a ,  20   b ) for co-operating with the locating socket ( 16 ) or the rod parts ( 20   a ,  20   b ) in a positive and/or non-positive fit, the rod locking means ( 130 ,  190 ,  200 ) preventing the supporting rod ( 20 ;  20   a ,  20   b ) from being separated from the locating socket ( 16 ) or preventing the rod parts ( 20   a ,  20   b ) from being separated in a locked state and permitting their separation in a released state. 
   
   
       52 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , characterised in that the rod locking means ( 130 ) has a flexible tongue ( 132 ) which is mounted, at an end portion, on a supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ) or a rod part ( 20   a ,  20   b ) and, with a free, resilient end portion ( 136 ), co-operates with an opening in a locating socket ( 16 ) or in another rod part ( 20   b ,  20   a ). 
   
   
       53 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , characterised in that, the rod locking means ( 13 ) has a flexible tongue ( 132 ) forming a locking member, where the flexible tongue, at its free end portion, has a hook-shaped detent portion ( 136 ) which, in the unloaded state of the flexible tongue ( 132 ), protrudes out of the hollow profile. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , characterised in that the supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ) is designed as a hollow profile and supports a spring-loaded or weight-loaded locking lever ( 192 ) mounted inside the hollow profile which projects out through an opening ( 193 ) in the supporting rod ( 20   a ,  20   b ). 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , characterised in that the locking member is designed as a pivotably mounted catch ( 208 ) protruding at the end from the supporting rod ( 20 ) or from a supporting rod part ( 20   a ,  20   b ). 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus as claimed in either of  claims 33  or  38 , characterised in that it comprises restraining means ( 182 ) for maintaining the locking means ( 100 ) and/or the base platform locking means ( 120 ,  150 ) in the released state. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 56 , characterised by a means ( 180 ) for automatically releasing the restraining means ( 182 ) when a supporting rod ( 20 ) is removed from a locating socket ( 16 ) and/or when a base platform ( 2 ) is separated from a further base platform ( 2 ).