Cover for a Forklift Pocket of a Shipping Container

Abstract

A cover for a forklift pocket of a shipping container, the cover comprising a base and a resilient flap which is secured to the base, the resilient flap extending from the base and being configured to substantially close the forklift pocket.

1 . A cover for a forklift pocket of a shipping container, the cover comprising a base and at least one resilient flap which is secured to the base, the at least one resilient flap extending from the base and being configured to substantially close the forklift pocket. 
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is sufficiently stiff that it projects upwardly from the base. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is sufficiently stiff to withstand a force of up to around 30N applied against it. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is sufficiently flexible that it will be deflected by a forklift tang of a forklift truck, and sufficiently resilient to return to its initial orientation after the forklift tang has been removed. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is held in a slot provided in the base. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 5 , wherein the slot is T-shaped in cross-section and a foot of the at least one resilient flap held in the slot is T-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 5 , wherein the slot is open at one end and closed at an opposite end. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein a plate extends from one side of the base, the plate being configured to deflect a forklift tang away from the base. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base is provided with a sloping face. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the base is provided with an additional sloping face on an opposite side. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base extends either side of the at least one resilient flap, and
 wherein the base is higher on one side of the at least one resilient flap than on the other side of the at least one resilient flap, the difference in height being greater than the thickness of the at least one resilient flap.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein corners of the at least one resilient flap distal to the base are cut or rounded. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is configured to substantially close the forklift pocket in combination with the base. 
     
     
         19 . A shipping container comprising a plurality of forklift pockets, each forklift pocket being fitted with a cover comprising a base and at least one resilient flap which is secured to the base, the at least one resilient flap extending from the base and substantially closing the forklift pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The shipping container of  claim 19 , wherein the base is secured to the floor of the forklift pocket and the at least one resilient flap extends upwardly from the base. 
     
     
         21 . The shipping container of  claim 19 , wherein there is a gap between the at least one resilient flap and walls of the forklift pocket. 
     
     
         22 . The shipping container of  claim 21 , wherein the gap is less than 1 cm. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The shipping container of  claim 19 , wherein the base is secured to the floor of the forklift pocket and is provided with a sloping outer face which slopes upwardly in the direction of the at least one resilient flap. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The shipping container of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is sufficiently stiff to withstand a force of up to around 30N applied against it. 
     
     
         27 . The shipping container of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one resilient flap is sufficiently flexible that it will be deflected by a forklift tang of a forklift truck, and sufficiently resilient to return to its initial orientation after the forklift tang has been removed. 
     
     
         28 . A shipping container comprising a plurality of forklift pockets, each forklift pocket being fitted with a cover comprising a plurality of bases each provided with at least one resilient flap, the resilient flaps extending from the bases and substantially closing the forklift pocket. 
     
     
         29 . The shipping container of  claim 28 , wherein the cover comprises two bases each of which is provided with a resilient flap.