TECHNICAL DOMAIN The present invention relates to the technical domain of transport systems and temporary storage systems provided with a light framework and suspension systems.

STATE OF THE ART Handling units, such as racks provided with supporting rods, are known for the transport or temporary storage of 2D or 3D packaged goods. The supporting rods are often connected with welded joints, providing the structure with strength. However, these welded constructions are not easy to disassemble. For disassembling such racks, the welded joint must be cut, as a result of which the parts have different lengths and cannot be assembled again. The maintenance of such racks is therefore often difficult and expensive, as often, not only the worn-out element can be replaced. Moreover, these racks take unnecessary much room when they are returned in empty state after having delivered the goods, as a result of which the transport costs are high in case of use of such racks.

Frame structures and frameworks, made of light materials such as aluminium, are known in machine construction as described in for example EP 0 136 431, but are not used for transporting goods because of their lack of strength and stiffness. The aluminium supporting rods are typically provided with side recesses along a longitudinal axis and are furthermore also provided with a central core/axis, appropriate for attaching the supporting rods in the corners of the frame structure by means of adapted corner assembling means. These structures are light and easy to (dis)assemble, but are not strong enough for the transport of packaged goods. The frameworks from the state of the art are indeed not stiff enough and often cannot be stacked, leading to loss of room during the transport. Such frameworks are not resistant to repeated stacking, displacement by means of a forklift truck and/or the dynamic forces that are for example produced when a truck drives over a bumpy road. The lack of stiffness can be solved by applying diagonals in the planes formed by the supporting rods. Because of this, the provided opening is however largely closed, as a result of which this opening is not appropriate any more for loading and unloading.

In US 5 688 086, corner elements for a metal/aluminium frame or container have already been described. The corner elements ensure that the container can be attached to the vehicle that is used for transport. However, the corner elements do not result in a stackable structure and do not provide extra rigidity, as a result of which the frames still do not have. sufficient stiffness. US 2013/180941 shows a framework consisting of different vertically positioned layers in which the lower corner points are provided with a reinforcement.

US 2010/187226 describes a display packaging in which the lower corner points are provided with an iron reinforcement.

US 2005/115913 describes a frame consisting of rail members and corner connectors that are connected to each other.

The known frameworks, provided with a corner mounting member (instead of a welded joint) to connect the supporting rods in the corners, are not robust enough for transporting or storing heavy goods. In practice, however, there is a need of a framework, preferably made of relatively light materials such as aluminium, which can still provide sufficient sturdiness without or with a limited number of welded joints. By using corner assembling means for attaching the corners, it is easy to disassemble and maintain a framework. After delivering/unloading goods, a framework can be disassembled and returned in a compact way for re-use. In this way, room is saved and the transport costs are reduced.

The present invention aims to find a solution for at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a framework comprising supporting rods provided with one or more side recesses in the longitudinal direction of the supporting rods, in which the framework is provided with corner brackets as described in claim 1.

The corner brackets comprise three planes that are perpendicular to each other and provide stack ability and extra sturdiness of the framework.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a corner bracket appropriate for attachment to a corner of a framework as described in claim 16. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for reinforcing a framework as described in claim 22. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a framework, comprising supporting rods and 8 corner brackets. In Figure 2, a detailed view is shown of an embodiment of a corner of a framework with assembled corner reinforcement.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a corner reinforcement. In Figure 4, a cross-section is shown of a corner of a framework provided with a corner reinforcement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention of a framework provided with corner brackets and rolling elements.

Figure 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a framework provided with a suspension system with rails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a framework with corner brackets. The framework is appropriate for the transport and temporary storage of goods. Such frameworks can be provided with suspension systems comprising rails, pouches and/or inflexible shelf systems. Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the meaning as they are generally understood by the worker in the technical field of the invention. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained specifically. In a first aspect, the invention relates to a framework appropriate for the temporary storage and/or transport of goods. The framework comprises supporting rods each provided with one or more side recesses in the longitudinal direction, in which end points of the supporting rods are coupled perpendicularly and the supporting rods hereby define a room. One or more corner points of the framework are provided with a corner bracket comprising three, whether or not mutually connected planes that are perpendicular to each other and in which each corner bracket encloses at least partially a corner point of the framework. In particular, the corner brackets will be attached to the framework, at the corner points. Such framework provided with reinforcing corner brackets has an increased rigidity in the 3 dimensional directions, as the corner bracket is attached to the three supporting rods that come together in a coupling. As the corner bracket consists of planes, the corner bracket does not take considerably extra space/volume, so that no transport room or storage room is lost when using the corner brackets. Such framework can easily be disassembled (for example at the end of the lifetime of the framework) and repaired. In a further preferred embodiment, the three planes are connected to each other.

In an embodiment of the framework, one or more supporting rods are provided with a hollow central core in the longitudinal direction. This central core offers possibilities for assembling/coupling the supporting rods and is useful as an extra reinforcement of these coupling.

In another embodiment, two of the three said planes (1,2) of the corner brackets each comprise plane parts (20,20') extending at the bottom and upper side of the third plane (3), as a result of which the framework can be stacked and does not slide during the transport.

In an embodiment, the framework is made of robust (and preferably light) materials, comprising aluminium, stainless steel, steel or a combination thereof. As a result, the framework remains light and is easy to work with in an empty state.

In a preferred embodiment, all corners of the framework are provided with corner brackets. In a further preferred embodiment, the framework is provided with 8 such corner brackets. By providing a corner bracket in each of the corners of a framework, the weak connections between the supporting rods are; eliminated without reinforcement. Such corner brackets of the framework offer extra stiffness and sturdiness to the framework. In another or further embodiment, one or more corner brackets are provided with a foot support. This foot support offers extra sturdiness and structure when stacking. When stacking frameworks, a foot support preferably fits into a corner bracket of a framework that was stacked under a particular framework. The upper plane parts of the corner bracket of the lower framework preferably enclose that foot element of the framework that is stacked above. Providing foot supports at a framework can also be useful for displacing such framework with a forklift truck, as the fork of the forklift truck can be placed more easily under the framework.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more corner brackets of the framework are each provided with one or more rolling elements. Such frameworks can be displaced manually, without needing a forklift truck or other means. When each of the corner brackets is provided with more rolling elements, the weight is distributed better and the framework has extra stability. Different combinations of foot supports and rolling elements belong to the possibilities of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the corner brackets are mounted on the framework by means of attachment means (e.g. screws), that are attached in the recesses of the supporting rods. These attachment means ensure an easy assembling and disassembling of such framework. The maintenance costs of the frameworks are reduced, as the different parts can easily be replaced. When a framework is returned in disassembled state, the transport costs are also reduced. In an embodiment, the plane parts of the two planes (1,2) at a side of the third plane (3) essentially comprise a combination of triangles and/or rectangles. The plane parts of the two planes at the other side of the third plane essentially comprise rectangles. In another embodiment, the plane parts of the corner brackets only comprise rectangles. In practice, it is necessary that the loading plane of a framework is free of obstructions. Therefore, the plane parts of the corner brackets comprise at the side of the loading plane only rectangles, so that these plane parts would not cover the loading plane. However, the plane parts of the corner brackets covering a side plane of a framework can also comprise triangles, next to rectangles. By providing triangles, these plane parts have a longer altitude, providing extra sturdiness in this side plane.

In a first case, the set of corner brackets provided at the framework can comprise 8 equal corner brackets, allowing an easy assembling. In a second case, the set of corner brackets comprises 4 equal corner brackets mounted at the bottom of the framework (e.g. provided with a foot support and/or rolling element) and 4 other corner brackets mounted at the top. In a third case, 4 times 2 equal corner brackets are provided, in which the equal corner brackets are placed at the corners of the opposite diagonal of the bottom or top face. In other words, one of the equal corner brackets is for example placed at the left corner in the bottom face at the front side of a framework, the other corner bracket is placed at the right corner in the bottom face at the back side, so that the equal corner brackets are positioned on a diagonal in the bottom face. Other combinations and sets of corner brackets are possible, for example dependent on the number of loading planes: if only the front plane of a framework functions as a loading plane, the plane parts of the corner brackets at the back side of the framework can be provided with extra triangles, providing extra sturdiness and resistance by extending the altitude along the bisector (as described above). Hereby, it should be noted that a corner bracket can also be placed after loading the packaged goods. In the latter case, corner brackets with plane parts comprising triangles can also be placed on the loading plane.

In an embodiment of the framework, the supporting rods are coupled by means of attachment means, which are attached in one or more of the side recesses and/or the central core (if provided) of at least one of the supporting rods. These attachment means provide the framework with sturdiness and stiffness. Moreover, such framework is easy to assemble and disassemble. This is not the case for frameworks provided with welded joints between the different supporting rods. Moreover, the framework can be returned in a disassembled state after the transport of goods, resulting in a considerable space saving.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the supporting rods each comprise at least two side recesses in the longitudinal direction. The provision of at least two side recesses offers more possibilities for providing attachment means for coupling the supporting rods, attaching the corner brackets, providing side walls and suspensions systems, etc.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least two side recesses are mutually symmetrical with respect to a symmetric axis and/or symmetric plane. This symmetric axis is preferably the central core (if provided) of the supporting rod. The mirror symmetry around an axis or a plane is useful when (re)assembling a framework, as in this case, the orientation of a supporting rod is not/less relevant. For this symmetry, it is not necessary that a side recess is positioned in the middle of the side of a supporting rod. More preferably, this side recesses are also symmetric in the plane of the supporting rod. If a side of the supporting rod comprises only one side recess, this is consequently placed in the middle of the side of the plane.

The length of a plane part of a corner bracket along a supporting rod can be selected dependent on the length of the supporting rod and the number of desired attachment means to attach the corner bracket to the supporting rod. It is however the height of the plane parts along the bisector of the supporting rods that determines the strength of the corner reinforcement. In practice, this height is thus made as large as possible to maximize the strength and stiffness of the structure. Because of the symmetry, the lengths of the different plane parts along the supporting rods can be chosen in a similar way, so that a similar bracket is provided for in each geometric direction of the framework. The lengths of the plane parts 1 and 2 along the uncommon supporting rods have ratios between 5: 1 and 1 : 5, preferably between 3: 1 and 1 :3, more preferably between 2: 1 and 1 : 2. The plane part 3 comprises a rectangle, in which the length and width of the rectangle are determined by the uncommon lengths of the plane parts 1 and 2.

In a preferred embodiment, all corners of the plane parts of the corner brackets are slightly rounded. By eliminating these sharp edges, safety is increased when using frameworks provided with corner brackets.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting rods are provided with profiles that are appropriate for at least partially filling the side recesses. When using frameworks, much waste and dust is accumulated in the side recesses. When reassembling frameworks, this can cause problems. More in particular, when loading and/or unloading, this accumulated dust can make the packaged goods dirty. These problems can be solved by providing profiles that fill the side recesses at least partially.

In a preferred embodiment, the framework is provided with one or more side walls and/or a cover, in which the side walls and/or the cover can be shifted or moved or not. The side walls and the cover are preferably made of plastic or textile. These parts offer extra protection when transporting the packaged goods. Preferably, the walls and the cover are made of a light material and these walls are appropriate for opening when loading/unloading the goods. Fixed side walls contribute to the stiffness of the framework.

In a preferred embodiment, the framework is provided with different kinds of suspension systems, comprising rails, pouches, storage systems with compartments, multibags and, textile systems. The suspension system can also be pliable/foldable. In a second aspect, the invention relates a steel corner bracket, appropriate for attachment to a corner of a framework, which is appropriate for transport and/or temporary storage of goods. The steel corner bracket comprises at least 3 steel planes (1,2,3) appropriate for forming a corner element, in which, in assembled state, the three planes are mutually perpendicular and two of the planes (1,2) each comprise plane parts (20,20') extending at the bottom and top face of the third plane (3).

Such corner bracket provides rigidity of a structure in 3 geometric directions and stackability. The steel planes also comprise openings, so that the corner bracket can easily be (dis)assembled on a framework. Such corner brackets can possibly be placed on a framework after loading the packaged goods in a suspension system provided in the framework. The steel corner bracket is also provided with an attachment means, so that it can be attached at the outside of a corner of the framework. The corner bracket is also appropriate for at least partially enclosing a corner of the framework.

In an embodiment, the 3 steel planes enclosed by the corner bracket are mutually connected. The 3 steel planes are mutually perpendicular to each other, in which two of the planes each comprise plane parts extending at both sides of the third plane. In an embodiment of the corner bracket, the plane parts of the two planes (1,2) at a side of the third plane (3) essentially comprise a combination of triangles and/or rectangles. The plane parts of the- two planes (1,2) at the other side of the third plane (3) essentially comprise rectangles. These plane parts offer possibilities for providing a corner bracket that is appropriate for reinforcing a framework, in which the front/loading plane of the framework is not covered by the corner bracket, but the other planes do have extra sturdiness (because of a longer altitude) as a result of the use of a triangle. In another embodiment of the corner bracket, the plane parts only comprise rectangles. In practice, the corners of the corner brackets are slightly rounded. The sharp protruding edges are eliminated for avoiding dangerous situations.

In a preferred embodiment, the third plane of the corner bracket is essentially rectangular, with a height and width that is approximately equal to the lengths of the cutting lines of plane 3 with planes 1 and 2. In a further embodiment, the rectangular plane part of the third plane is provided with a foot element and/or one or more rolling elements. The rectangular structure of the third plane also offers stability when stacking frameworks provided with similar corner brackets.

In a preferred embodiment, the corner bracket is provided with at least one welded joint, offering the advantage that the corner bracket is relatively easy to produce. In another embodiment, welded joints are provided between planes 1 and 3, and, between planes 2 and 3. A fold is another possibility to connect the plane parts of two planes with each other. Hereby, two planes are fabricated by folding a steel plate. In a fold, no water can be accumulated, while water can accumulate/penetrate in welded joints. In a preferred embodiment, the corner brackets are provided with a surface treatment, such as galvanisation or another surface treatment. As a result, the corner bracket is protected against rusting, which is especially important for the welded joints, in which water can accumulate and filter through a non-continuous welded joint. Furthermore, the joints can also be sealed, to further protect the joints against rusting.

In another embodiment, the planes of the corner bracket have a thickness between 1 and 5 mm. A worker must hereby consider how strong the corner bracket must be, how heavy it can be, what the maximum cost is, etc.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for reinforcing a framework, appropriate for temporary storage and transport of goods, comprising supporting rods provided with one or more side recesses in the longitudinal direction. The method comprises the assembling of corner brackets, as described above, on one or more corners of the framework.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the corner brackets are assembled by means of attachment means that are attached to the one or more side recesses that are provided in the supporting rods.

In the following, the invention will be described by means of non-limiting examples illustrating the invention, and not meant to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Here, some schematic representations are for example given of suspensions systems that can be incorporated in the frameworks. The present invention is however not limited to the shown examples of suspensions systems, and by extension, the present invention comprises all suspensions systems that are known in the state of the art. FIGURES

In Fig. 1, an embodiment is shown of a complete framework (18), comprising supporting rods (4) provided with a side recess (5) at each of the sides of each of the supporting rods. The recesses of a supporting rod are symmetric to the central axis of the supporting rod and are moreover positioned in the middle of the side. Each corner of the framework is provided with a corner bracket (19), attached with attachment means (11), such as screws, that are attached in the recesses (5) of the supporting rods (4). The bottom corner brackets are each provided with a foot support (8), so that the bottom supporting rods slightly float above the ground and the fork of a forklift truck can be slit under the framework for displacing the framework. The vertically positioned planes 1 and 2 of the corner brackets that are attached at the top on the framework comprise rectangular plane parts extending at a side of the third plane, that is positioned horizontally. The plane parts extending above the top face of the framework are appropriate for fixing the foot elements of the second framework that can be stacked on top of the particular framework. In this way, extra stability is obtained during transport and the different frameworks do not slide. The plane part (2) comprises rectangles, as a result of which the loading plane of the framework cannot be used completely. The plane part (1) comprises triangles and rectangles. By providing the extra triangle, the altitude of the plane along the bisector of the supporting rods is extended, offering extra sturdiness. In an alternative embodiment, in the planes that are not used as loading plane, supporting rods can also be added in the diagonals of the planes. These diagonals offer extra sturdiness to the framework.

The framework comprises further side walls (15) for protection against the possible content of the framework.

In Fig. 2, a detailed view is shown of an embodiment of a corner of a framework with assembled corner reinforcement (19), provided with a foot support (8). The supporting rods (4) are provided with a recess (5) and a central core (16). The corner bracket (19) is mounted on the supporting rods by means of attachment means (11) that are attached in the side recesses of the supporting rods. The connection between planes 1 and 2 of the corner bracket (19) is made by a fold (17).

In Fig. 3, an embodiment of a corner bracket (19) is shown, comprising planes 1, 2 and 3. The plane 1 comprises a rectangle and a triangle, the plane 2 only comprises rectangles (as indicated by the dot-dash lines). Plane 3 is essentially triangular. The plane parts (20, 20') contained in the plane 2 at the bottom and upper side of the plane 3 are also indicated. Plane 1 also comprises plane parts at the upper and bottom sides of the third plane (3). By providing the extra triangle in plane 1, this plane of the corner bracket is stronger than plane 2, as it is the altitude from the corner point of the corner bracket that determines the strength of the plane. The corners of the corner bracket forming protruding points after assembling a framework, are rounded to avoid dangerous situations. Plane 1 is connected to plane 3 by means of a non-continuous welded joint (6a), plane 2 is connected to plane 3 by means of a non-continuous welded joint (6b). The welded joints can be provided with a sealing means (such as silicone) to avoid rusting of the joints. Planes 1 and 2 are connected by means of a fold (17) . The planes comprise openings (7), appropriate for receiving attachment means to assemble the corner bracket onto a framework. In Fig. 4, a cross-section is shown of a corner of an embodiment of a framework. In this figure, a cross-section is made at the dot-dash line in Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, all elements are shown visibly as indicated by "IV". In Fig. 4, the 3 planes (1, 2, 3) of the corner bracket (19) are shown, in which the planes 2 and 3 only form a line on the figure (through the cross-section) and are connected by means of a welded joint (6b). Furthermore, the supporting rods (4) are shown, provided with a central core (16). The supporting rods are connected to each other by means of a corner assembling means/attachment means (10), that can be attached in the central core and/or the side recess (such as known in the state of the art). The corner bracket (19) is further provided with a foot support (8).

In Fig. 5, a framework ( 18) provided with corner brackets (19) and rolling elements (9) is shown. By means of the provided rolling elements, the framework can, even in loaded state, be manually displaced. The plane parts of the corner brackets at the loading side of the framework only comprise rectangles, while the plane parts at the sides of the framework comprise both rectangles and triangles. As a result, the complete loading plane is used and the other planes are made sturdier. The framework is further provided with a suspension system (13) with different partial compartments in different levels. This suspension system can be attached in the side recesses of the different supporting rods. The framework also comprises a side wall (15) and a cover, protecting the packaged goods during the transport. The side wall and the cover can also be attached in the side recesses of the supporting rods. It is advisable to provide several side recesses at at least 1 side of the supporting rods, so that the suspension system can be attached in a first side recess and the side wall or the cover in the second side recess. In Fig. 6, a side view of another embodiment of a framework (18) is shown. The framework is provided with supporting rods (4), foot supports (8) and corner brackets (19). This framework also comprises a suspension system (13), comprising U-shaped pockets that can be shifted along rails (12). The suspension system is mounted in the side recesses of the supporting rods (4). Some pouch-shaped pockets are empty, others are in loaded state and are provided with packages goods (14). Other suspension systems, e.g. provided with J-shaped pouches, also belong to the possibilities.

Below, a reference list is given of the references used in the figures:

1, 2, 3 : the three planes of the corner bracket (1,2 in practice, vertical planes, 3 a horizontal plane)

4: supporting rod of framework

5: recess of supporting rod

6ab: welded joints between planes 1 and 3 and planes 2 and 3 7 : opening in corner bracket

8 : foot support

9 : rolling element of foot support

10: attachment means/corner assembling means connecting two or more supporting 5 rods

11 : attachment means (such as screws) mounted in the recesses of the supporting rods for assembling corner brackets

12: rails of suspension system

13 : pockets/pouches/...

10 14: goods in the pouches

15 : side wall (textile/plastic) attached to the framework

16 : central axis/core of the supporting rod

17: fold between planes 1 and 2 (forming by folding a steel plate)

18: complete framework

15 19: corner bracket

20, 20': plane parts (at upper and bottom side of the 3 ^rd plane)