Reusable modular containment device for protecting cargo during shipment

Abstract

A robust, reusable, and modular shipping container for protecting large, fragile, odd-shaped, or high-value cargo from damage during shipment. Such cargo may include telecommunications cabinets, appliances, and furniture. The shipping container minimizes the possibility of shipping damage due to improper handling, tip-overs, lateral collisions, or vibration. Such a shipping container may include a pallet base, a lower frame section, an upper frame section, and a top cover, the assembly of the pallet base, lower frame section, upper frame section, and top cover defining a protective outer cage having an interior in which the cargo is disposed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sturdy, reusable, modular, shipping container for protecting large, fragile, odd-shaped, or high-value cargo from damage during shipment, comprising:
 a pallet base wherein the pallet base includes a rectangular frame with a plurality of vertical support members extending from a bottom side, the plurality of vertical supports spaced to form a plurality of pockets beneath the rectangular frame of the pallet base;   a base pad compartment bounded by the rectangular frame of the pallet base and a base pad compartment floor, the base pad compartment configured to receive a base pad;   a lower frame section with a plurality of vertical support members extending from a top of the rectangular frame of the pallet base, wherein a plurality of cross braces extend between the plurality of vertical support members;   a ramp extending from a front of the pallet base wherein the ramp is movable between a first storage position within the storage container and second position exterior of the storage container,   an upper frame section removably coupled to a top of the plurality of vertical support members of the lower frame section, the upper frame section including a front side and a back side, and a strike plate extending along an entire length of the front side, which retains the ramp in the first position; and   a top cover;   the pallet base, lower frame section, upper frame section, and top cover defining a protective outer cage having an interior in which the cargo is disposed;   wherein the front side and back side of the upper frame section includes horizontal upper members and horizontal lower members and vertical side members; and   wherein the lower horizontal member of the upper frame section that is the strike plate for the ramp is wider than the horizontal upper members of the upper frame section.   
     
     
         2 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the base pad compartment floor includes recessed cavities into which foam, or other vibration and shock dampening material, are placed. 
     
     
         3 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp is connected to the pallet base by one or more hinges, such that it can be lowered to the second position for loading and unloading cargo, and stowed in the first position for shipment. 
     
     
         4 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower frame section comprises at least first and second side members connected to the pallet base. 
     
     
         5 . The shipping container of  claim 4 , wherein the sides are modular sides attached to the pallet base using one or more mating connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The shipping container of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second sides include at least one frame member disposed in either a horizontal, vertical or diagonal orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame section is removably coupled to the top of the plurality of vertical support members of the lower frame section by one or more mating connectors, and where the top cover is attached to the upper frame section by one or more second mating connectors. 
     
     
         8 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertical supports have one or more third mating connectors to couple with one or more mating connectors of the pallet base. 
     
     
         9 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame section comprises first, second, and third sides. 
     
     
         10 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the front side and back side each include at least one bracing member of a horizontal, vertical or diagonal orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower horizontal member of the front side is the strike plate for the ramp. 
     
     
         12 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the top cover is attached to the upper frame section using mating connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the top cover comprises at least one or more bracing members. 
     
     
         14 . The shipping container of  claim 13 , wherein the top cover comprises a flat plate extending between a pair of opposed side members. 
     
     
         15 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the pallet base and top cover each have one or more points of attachment for securing straps. 
     
     
         16 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the front side and back side of the upper frame section includes a plurality of vertical side members, a horizontal upper member, a horizontal lower member, and a plurality of horizontal bracing members disposed between the horizontal upper member and the horizontal lower member. 
     
     
         17 . The shipping container of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second sides includes a plurality of vertical support members, and a lower frame upper cross brace, a lower frame upper base member, and a plurality of mid cross braces extending horizontally between each of the plurality of vertical support members. 
     
     
         18 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein a vertical side member in the upper frame section is removably coupled to a horizontal upper member and a horizontal lower member in the upper frame section. 
     
     
         19 . The shipping container of  claim 18 , wherein each of the horizontal upper member and the horizontal lower member in the upper frame section has a through hole disposed thereon;
 wherein the vertical side member comprises a shaft; and   wherein the shaft of the vertical side member s disposed through the through holes of each of the horizontal upper member and the horizontal lower member in one of a clearance or transition fit.   
     
     
         20 . The shipping container of  claim 18 , wherein each of the horizontal upper member and the horizontal lower member is connected to the vertical side member by at least one of a cam lock connector or a screw.