TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a shipping container panel assembly, a nut for use in a shipping container panel assembly and a shipping container comprising the assembly or the nut.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Shipping containers are used to store and transport goods between locations. During assembly of shipping containers, nuts and bolts can be used to secure various components and/or panels together.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shipping container panel assembly comprising: a container panel; a fixture; a securing element attached to the fixture and extending from the fixture through an aperture in the container panel; and a nut comprising a main body and a protrusion protruding from the main body, wherein the protrusion is located within the aperture, and the nut is engaged with the securing device and the protrusion is engaged with a periphery of the aperture, such that the fixture is attached to the container panel.

[0004] Optionally, the protrusion is configured to interact with the periphery of the aperture to substantially inhibit relative rotation between the nut and the periphery of the aperture. For example, the protrusion may be shaped to substantially inhibit relative rotation between the nut and the periphery of the aperture. In this way, the nut may be held in place during rotation of the securing element without the use of an additional tool, which may help to increase efficiency in assembling the panel assembly.

[0005] Optionally, a cross-sectional shape of the protrusion corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the aperture. This may help in orienting the protrusion correctly in the aperture.

[0006] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion and the cross-sectional shape of the aperture are cross-sectional shapes taken in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the securing element. [0007] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion is different to the cross-sectional shape of the aperture. Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the aperture. Optionally, the cross-sectional shapes of the main body and the protrusion are concentric.

[0008] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion has a first cross-sectional area and the cross-sectional shape of the main body has a second cross-sectional area. Optionally, the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the second cross-sectional area. Optionally, a cross- sectional area of the main body is larger than a cross-sectional area of the protrusion.

[0009] Optionally, the main body extends outwardly from the periphery of the aperture such that the main body overlies the container panel.

[0010] Optionally, a maximal width of the main body is larger than a maximal width of the protrusion.

[0011] Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially regular polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

[0012] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion is substantially free of sharp corners. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion may comprise substantially rounded corners. This may help to reduce stress at the corners of the protrusion which may reduce the likelihood of damage occurring.

[0013] Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially regular polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

[0014] Optionally, the protrusion is engaged with the periphery of the aperture to create an interference fit between the protrusion and the periphery of the aperture. For example, the protrusion may be engaged with the periphery of the aperture such that the protrusion is retained in the aperture in the absence of an applied force. In this way, an additional tool may not be required to hold the nut in place, reducing complexity and making it easier to assemble the assembly.

[0015] Optionally, the securing element comprises a threaded region. Optionally, the securing element comprises a bolt. Optionally, the securing element extends completely through the aperture. Optionally, the securing element extends partially through the aperture.

[0016] Optionally, the nut comprises a bore configured to receive the securing member. Optionally, the bore extends through the nut along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the securing element. Optionally, the bore extends completely through the nut. Optionally, the bore comprises a threaded region. Optionally, the threaded region of the bore corresponds to the threaded region of the securing element.

[0017] Optionally, the protrusion protrudes from the main body in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the securing element. Optionally, the protrusion is recessed from an outer peripheral surface of the main body.

[0018] Optionally, the fixture is a further panel. Optionally, the fixture is a door hinge.

[0019] Optionally, a panel assembly comprises: a primary element; a secondary element; a securing element attached to the secondary element and extending from the secondary element through an opening in the primary element; and a nut comprising a main body and a protrusion protruding from the main body, wherein the protrusion is located within the opening, and the nut is engaged with the securing device and the protrusion is engaged with a periphery of the opening, such that the secondary element is attached to the primary element.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nut for use in a shipping container panel assembly, the nut comprising: a main body; and a protrusion protruding from the main body, wherein the protrusion comprises a maximal width which is smaller than a maximal width of the main body.

[0021] Optionally, the main body and the protrusion comprise the same cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a different cross-sectional shape to the protrusion. Optionally, the cross-sectional shapes of the main body and the protrusion are concentric. [0022] Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially regularly polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the protrusion comprises a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

[0023] Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially regular polygonal cross-sectional shape. Optionally, the main body comprises a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

[0024] Optionally, a cross-sectional area of the main body is larger than a cross-sectional area of the nut.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shipping container comprising the assembly of the first aspect of the present invention or the nut of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0026] Optionally, the shipping container is a refrigerated shipping container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of an example shipping container;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a schematic isometric view of a part of an example shipping container panel assembly;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an example nut; and

[0031] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the example shipping container panel assembly of Figure 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an example shipping container 1. The shipping container 1 shown in Figure 1 is a refrigerated shipping container, also known as a reefer. Such refrigerated shipping containers include refrigeration systems to cool an interior of the shipping container 1 to a desired temperature. In other examples, the shipping container 1 is not a refrigerated shipping container. For example, the shipping container 1 may be a dry shipping container.

[0033] The shipping container 1 comprises two doors 2 which are attached to the container 1 by door hinges 3. In other examples, the shipping container 1 comprises greater or fewer than two doors 2. For example, the shipping container 1 may include one door 2, or may include two doors 2 at each longitudinal end of the container 1. Moreover, although four door hinges 3 (two per door 2) are shown in Figure 1 , in other examples a greater or fewer number of door hinges 3 are provided. In some examples the shipping container 1 includes other fixtures in addition or alternatively to the door hinges 3. In some examples each door 2 comprises a door bar which is configured to secure the door 2 in place when closed. Each door hinge 3 (or another fixture such as the door bar) is attached to the door 2 (or another container panel) by a nut and bolt arrangement.

[0034] To attach the hinge 3 to the shipping container 1 , a bolt passes through the hinge 3 and a part of the shipping container 1 and is secured in place by a nut engaged with the bolt. However, in some situations, the area around the nut may be inaccessible making it difficult to hold the nut in place when the bolt is tightened. For example, it may be necessary to add insulation to the area around the nut, which may cover the nut. In such situations, the nut may be welded to the door to inhibit it from rotating and allow tightening of the bolt. However, such welding may contaminate the area around the nut, which may be undesirable in certain situations. Contamination may be caused by smoke and spatter from the welding process and/or from removing welding smoke with a wire brush. Welding of the nut (for example, spot welding) may also lead to heat shrinkage of the nut which may result in the nut breaking, for example when the bolt engages with the nut. The present invention helps to address these problems.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a part of an example shipping container panel assembly 10 including a nut 11 and a container panel 12 (or primary element). The nut 11 comprises a main body 13 and a protrusion 14 protruding from the main body 13. A bore 20 which is configured to receive a securing element (as shown in Figure 4) extends through the nut 11.

[0036] The main body 13 and the protrusion 14 both comprise a substantially square cross- sectional shape in a plane substantially perpendicular to an outer peripheral surface 15 of the main body 13. In some examples, the main body 13 and/or the protrusion 14 has a different regular polygonal cross-sectional shape, for example a hexagonal or a pentagonal cross- sectional shape. Although the main body 13 and the protrusion 14 both have the same cross- sectional shape and are concentric in Figure 2, in some examples the protrusion 14 has a different cross-sectional shape to the main body 13. For example, the main body 13 may have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape and the protrusion 14 may have a pentagonal cross-sectional shape. In the example of Figure 2, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 has sharp or pointed corners. However, in some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 is substantially free of sharp corners. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 has rounded corners. This may help to reduce stress at the corners of the protrusion 14 which may reduce the likelihood of damage occurring at the corners of the protrusion 14. As with the example of Figure 2, the cross-sectional shapes of the main body 13 and the protrusion 14 in the example nut 11 of Figure 3 are concentric. In the example of Figure 3, the main body 13 and the protrusion 14 comprise a square cross-sectional shape with rounded corners.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 2, the container panel 12 is a reinforcement panel disposed on a door panel 22 of the door 2 of the container 1 to provide reinforcement to the door panel 22. The door panel 22 comprises a substantially circular hole 23 extending through the door panel 22 which is configured to receive the securing element (as shown in Figure 4). In some examples, the reinforcement panel is disposed on an inner surface of the container 1 (for example, an inner wall of the container 1) to provide reinforcement to the inner surface of the container 1. In some examples, the container panel 12 is another panel of the container, for example the door panel 22, and the reinforcement panel is omitted. In some examples, the container panel 12 comprises a sheet of steel which is bent to a required shape to fit against the inner surface of the container 1 or against the door panel 22. In some examples, the container panel 12 comprises weathering steel, also known as corten steel.

[0038] The container panel 12 comprises an aperture 16 (or opening) to receive the protrusion 14 of the nut 11 (as shown in more detail in Figure 4). The aperture 16 has a uniform cross- sectional shape through the container panel 12. In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the aperture 16 varies through the container panel 12. Although only a single aperture 16 is shown in Figure 2, in some examples more than one aperture 16 is provided in the container panel 12 and each aperture 16 is to receive a separate nut 11. For example, the door hinge 3 may require six nuts 11 to attach the door hinge 3 to the door 2 of the shipping container 1. In this case, the container panel 12 comprises six apertures corresponding to the six nuts 11. In the example of Figure 2, the aperture 16 is formed in the container panel 12 by laser cutting. In some examples, the aperture 16 is formed by punching the aperture 16 out of the container panel 12.

[0039] The cross-sectional area of the aperture 16 is substantially the same as the cross- sectional area of the protrusion 14 and is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main body 13. This allows the aperture 16 to receive the protrusion 14 and create an interference fit between the aperture 16 and the protrusion 14 while inhibiting the main body 13 from passing into and/or through the aperture 16.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, both the protrusion 14 and the aperture 16 have a substantially noncircular (in this case square) cross-sectional shape. This helps to inhibit rotation of the nut 11 relative to a periphery 17 of the aperture 16 when the protrusion 14 is received by the aperture 16. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the aperture 16 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14. This may help to aid in orienting the protrusion 14 correctly within the aperture 16 and may also further help to inhibit rotation of the nut 11 relative to the periphery 17 of the aperture 16. In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 is different to the cross-sectional shape of the aperture 16. In such examples, the relative cross-sectional shapes of the protrusion 14 and the aperture 16 may be such that the protrusion 14 and the aperture 16 interact to inhibit relative rotation between the nut 11 and the periphery 17 of the aperture 16.

[0041] The main body 13 of the nut 11 shown in Figure 2 is wider than the protrusion 14 and the protrusion 14 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 15 of the main body. In particular, a maximal width of the main body 13 is larger than a maximal width of the protrusion 14. As such, when the protrusion 14 is received in the aperture 16 (as more clearly seen in Figure 4), the main body 13 rests against the container panel 12.

[0042] The main body 13 and the protrusion 14 of the example nut 11 of Figure 2 are formed from a single piece of material. For example, the nut 11 may be milled from a single piece of material or may be cold forged. This may lead to a simpler nut 11 which is less complicated to manufacture as it requires fewer parts. In other examples, the main body 13 and the protrusion 14 are formed separately from each other and subsequently attached together.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the shipping container panel assembly 10 including the nut 11 , the door panel 22 and the container panel 12 of Figure 2 along with a securing element 18 and a fixture 19 (or secondary element) attached to the container panel 12. In some examples, the fixture 19 may comprise the door hinge 3 of Figure 1. In some examples, the fixture 19 comprises any other component which is attached to the container panel 12. For example, the fixture may comprise a door bar which is configured to secure the door 2 in place when closed or may comprise another panel of the shipping container 1 . The fixture 19 is attached to the container panel 12 by a securing element 18 which extends from the fixture 19 and through the hole 23 in the door panel 22 and the aperture 16 in the container panel 12. In the example shown in Figure 4, the securing element 1 is a bolt. The securing element 18 comprises a cap 21 to which a tool can be engaged to turn the securing element 18. Although the securing element 18 is separate to the fixture 19 in Figure 4, in some examples the securing element 18 is integrally formed with the fixture 19.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4 and also discussed in relation to Figure 2, the nut 11 comprises a bore 20 extending through the nut 11 in a direction along an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the securing element 18. Although the bore 20 extends entirely through the nut 11 in Figure 4, in some examples the bore 20 only extends partly through the nut 11. The bore 20 comprises a threaded region (not shown in Figure 4 for the sake of clarity) which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding threaded region (also not shown in Figure 4 for the sake of clarity) of the securing element 18. As the securing element 18 is rotated relative to the nut 11 , the respective threaded regions of the securing element 18 and the nut 11 interact to move the securing element 18 through the bore 20 of the nut 11 in a direction along the longitudinal axis X of the securing element 18, to attach the fixture 19 to the container panel 12.

[0045] The protrusion 14 of the nut 11 extends from the main body 13 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the securing element 18. In the example of Figure 4, the protrusion 14 is engaged with a periphery 17 of the aperture 16 to create an interference fit between the protrusion 14 and the periphery 17 of the aperture 16. This interference fit means that the protrusion 14 is retained in the aperture 16 in the absence of an applied force to the nut 11. In this way, the nut 11 does not have to be separately held in place relative to the aperture 16, which may aid in assembling the container panel assembly 10. Furthermore, as the nut 11 is held in place by the interference fit, it will stay in place if the container panel 12 is moved during assembly. For example, the nut 11 can be located in the aperture 16 and then the container panel 12 can be move to a different position to allow the securing element 18 to be attached, without the risk of the nut being dislodged or falling out.

[0046] Although in the examples discussed above, the nut 11 and the container panel 12 are discussed together, in some examples the nut 11 and the container panel 12 are provided individually.

[0047] Example embodiments of the present invention have been discussed, with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.