Field of the Invention The present invention concerns a support structure.

More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a support structure for a curtain side container. The invention also concerns a container with a substantially open side, and a support structure associated with the open side.

Background of the Invention

In the freight transport industry, it is common to transport goods using curtain sided containers. A typical curtain side container comprises a base, a first end wall located at one end of the base, a second end wall located at the opposite end of the base, and a roof extending between the first end wall and second end wall. In order to reduce the weight of the container, and also improve the ease of loading and unloading the container, at least one of the sides of the container is left largely structurally open, with a tarpaulin, or "curtain" extending along the open side of the container once loaded. However, the length and weight of the roof may cause the roof of the container to sag, and it is undesirable to increase the weight of the container significantly by making the roof more rigid.

Typical container lengths/sizes are 20 foot, 40 foot, and 45 foot containers. The skilled person will appreciate that the containers may vary from these lengths, which are approximate only, but which are standard terms of the art. Additionally, to help constrain and contain the freight within the container, it may be necessary to add

reinforcement to the tarpaulin covering the open side. An example of when such reinforcement is necessary is in order to contain crates of bottles within a container, for example if the container is being towed by a lorry and the lorry has to undergo violent manoeuvres, for example sharp s-turns. Therefore, vertically disposed support structures are added to at least one open side of a container, extending from the base of the container to the roof. To ensure that it remains straightforward to load and unload a container, these support structures are preferably movable along the length of the container, such that during loading they can be moved out of the way, and once loading is complete they may be moved back into a supporting position. In order to stop the support structures moving once they have been put into a supporting position, they may be locked into place with a locking mechanism. Various examples of locking support structures for containers may be found in EP1953068, EP0335427, and WO2010/010053. However, in each of these examples, the disclosed support structures include potential disadvantages, for example relating to the complexity of the locking mechanisms disclosed or the strength of support the support structures provide. The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved support structure for a curtain-side container. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, a freight container comprising:

a base,

a first end wall and second end wall at opposite ends of the base,

a roof extending from the first end wall to the second end wall, and at least one, substantially open side,

at the open side, a support structure extending from the roof of the container to the base of the container,

and a bracket towards the base of the container, wherein the bracket comprises a first receiving section and second receiving section, and the support structure

comprises locking mechanism comprising a first locking pin and a second locking pin, wherein the first locking pin and second locking pin are engageable with the first receiving section and second receiving section respectively, via a clamping action, thereby locking the support structure into position with respect to the bracket.

A container according to this aspect of the invention advantageously provides an open side container with a support structure which may be locked into position by the clamping of the first locking pin and second locking pin to the bracket. The support structure may be unlocked by unclamping the two locking pins from the bracket. When fully unlocked, the support structure may be disengaged from the bracket. The support structure may be pivotally connected to the roof, allowing movement of the support structure away from engagement with the bracket. The support structure may be slidably connected to the roof, such that the support structure may be moved along the side of the container in order to facilitate easy loading and unloading of the container. The locking mechanism may comprise a first locking beam pivotally connected to the first locking pin. The locking mechanism may comprise a second locking beam pivotally connected to the second locking pin. The support structure may comprise a main beam. The second locking pin may be pivotally connected to an end of the main pillar. The first locking beam may be pivotally connected to the second locking beam. Where a locking pin is described as being pivotally attached to another component, the locking pin may be attached such that the locking pin may pivot with respect to that component, or the locking pin may be integrated with that component, so the component and locking pin may pivot together with respect to a further component.

The support structure may comprise at least one guide rail, the guide rail associated with the first locking pin. The first locking pin may be movable up and down along the guide rail during the locking and unlocking of the support structure. The first locking pin may be disposed vertically above the bracket. The second locking pin may be disposed vertically below the bracket. The first receiving section may be disposed at the top of the bracket. The second receiving section may be disposed at the bottom of the bracket. Whilst above/below, and top/bottom, are relative terms, the skilled person will appreciate that a container is designed to be used in a single orientation only, with the base at the bottom, and the roof at the top. Therefore, these terms are clear in this context. When the support structure is in a locked position, the first locking beam and second locking beam may be

approximately in line with each other, and located

substantially within the main pillar. When the support structure is in a fully unlocked position, the first locking beam and second locking beam may define a triangle with respect to the main pillar.

The second locking beam may comprise a handle. The handle may be used by a user to lock and unlock the support structure to the bracket. When the support structure is in the locked position, the handle may be engaged with a catch. The catch may be housed within the main pillar of the support structure. The handle may be arranged to be

accessed from outside the container. When the handle is pulled, the locking mechanism may be arranged to move outwards, away from the container. The handle may be

disengaged from the catch by pulling the handle. Continuing to pull the handle may result in the unlocking of the support structure. Pushing the second locking beam, via the handle, towards the container may result in the locking of the support structure. The locking of the support structure may happen simultaneously with the handle engaging with the catch. The support structure may be such that when locked, the locking mechanism is secured in an over-centre position. Such an arrangement adds security to the support structure in the locked position, preventing accidental unlocking of the support structure. In the over-centre position, the pivot point between the first locking beam and second locking beam is inboard with respect to the container when compared to the positions of the first locking pin and second locking pin. The bracket may comprise a third receiving section. The second locking beam may comprise a third locking pin. The third locking pin may engage with the third receiving section when the support section is in the locked position. The third locking pin may increase the vertical load bearing capacity of the support structure.

The present invention provides, according to a second aspect, a support structure for an open side freight container, the support structure comprising:

a main pillar, and

a locking mechanism for locking the support structure to a bracket on the side of a container,

the locking mechanism comprising a first locking pin and a second locking pin arranged to be placed above and below the bracket respectively, the locking mechanism arranged such that the first locking pin and second locking pin are movable into a locked position, in which the first locking pin and second locking pin are brought towards one another and into engagement with the bracket, and an unlocked position, in which the first locking pin and second locking pin are moved apart from each other and out of engagement with the bracket.

The first locking pin and second locking pin may be brought towards or apart from each other by the movement of pivoting beams associated with each locking pin.

The present invention provides, according to a third aspect, a bracket for an open side container, the bracket comprising a first receiving section and second receiving section, the first receiving section arranged for receiving a first locking pin from a first direction, the second receiving section arranged for receiving a second locking pin, from a second, opposite direction.

The bracket may include a shoulder portion associated with the first receiving section and/or the second receiving section. The shoulder portion (s) may provide lateral strength to the bracket when engaged with a first and/or second locking pins. The lateral strength may be in a direction perpendicular to the first and second direction in which the locking pins are received. The bracket may comprise a third receiving section. The third receiving section may be arranged to receive a third locking pin from a third direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the first and second directions.

The bracket may be welded or bolted to the container. The invention provides, according to a fourth aspect, a method of locking a support structure as described in relation to the second aspect of the invention to a bracket as described according to the third aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of:

placing the support structure in a position such that the first locking pin is above the bracket and the second locking pin is below the bracket,

actuating the locking mechanism such that the first locking pin and second locking pin are brought together and into engagement with the bracket.

The invention provides, according to a fifth aspect, a method of unlocking a support structure as described in relation to the second aspect of the invention, the support structure locked to a bracket according to the third aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of: actuating the locking mechanism such that the first locking pin and second locking pin are moved apart from each other and out of engagement with the bracket.

It will of course be appreciated that features

described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa. Also, features of the first, second, or third aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention .

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a support structure

according to a first embodiment of the

invention;

Figure 2 shows the support structure according to the

first embodiment in the fully locked position;

Figure 3 shows the support structure of the first

embodiment with a handle moved from the locked position;

Figure 4 shows the support structure of the first

embodiment in an unlocked position; Figure 5 shows the support structure of the first

embodiment in an unlocked position and moved away from the bracket;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the support

structure of the first embodiment in the locked position;

Figure 7 shows a close up view of the handle of the

support structure of the first embodiment;

Figure 8 shows a cross-section view of the main pillar of the support structure according to a first embodiment ;

Figures 9 to 11 show various views of a support structure according to a second embodiment of the

invention;

Figure 12 shows an exploded diagram of the support

structure according to the first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 13 shows a container including a support structure according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a support structure 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The support structure 10 is located at an open side of a side of a curtain-side container 100 as shown in figure 13. Whilst only one support structure is described, a container may comprise a plurality of support structures which may be disposed along the length of the container at various intervals. The curtain-side container comprises a base, a first end wall and second end wall located at opposite ends of the base, and a roof extending between the first end wall and second end wall. The curtain side container comprises at least one open side, with which the support structure 10 is

associated. An upper end of the support structure 10 is pivotally and slidably attached to the roof of the

container. Such an attachment is common in the field, and no further details are required by the skilled person.

The container comprises a fixed bracket 12 to which the support structure 10 may be, in a first position, locked in engagement, such that the support structure 10 bears a vertical load and supports the roof of the container, and in which the support structure 10 resists a horizontal load, for example if freight slides from one side to another within the container. The support structure 10 may also be moved into a second, unlocked position, where the support structure 10 is not engaged with the bracket 12, and is free to move pivotally and longitudinally with respect to the roof of the container.

Figure 2 shows the support structure 10 in the first, locked, position, and figure 5 shows the support structure 10 in the second, unlocked position. Figures 3 and 4 show the support structure 10 during the unlocking process.

The support structure 10 comprises a main pillar 14, which when the support structure is in the locked position, bears the majority of the vertical and horizontal load which may be experienced by the support structure 10. The main pillar 14 is pressed from steel, with a cross section as shown in figure 8.

The support structure 10 also comprises a locking mechanism 16 which is arranged to move the support structure 10 between locked and unlocked positions. A first locking pin 18 is arranged to be received within a first receiving portion 20 in the bracket 12. When the container is oriented in the normal way, with the base below the roof, the first locking pin 18 is moved into the first receiving portion 20 from above. The first locking pin 18 is located at an end of a first locking beam 22. The first locking beam 22 is pivotally attached to a second locking beam 24, towards a distal end of the second locking beam 24. At the opposite end of the second locking beam 24 is a second locking pin 26, which is also pivotally attached to the lowermost end of the main pillar 14. As can be seen in figure 1, when the support structure is not in the locked position, the second locking pin 26 is located away from, and below, the bracket 12.

The first locking pin 18 and second locking pin 26 are also connected to guide rails 28 located on each side of the bracket 12, and within the main pillar 14. The first locking pin 18 is located within a slot in the guide rails 28, such that the guide rails may move upwards and downwards within the main pillar 14 with respect to the first locking pin 18. The second locking pin 26 is pivotally connected to the guide rails 28 but fixed to an end point of the guide rails 28 as shown.

The bracket 12 includes a second receiving portion 30, located at the bottom of the bracket 12. In order to move the support structure 10 into the locked position, the second locking beam 24 is moved upwards by a user pushing on a handle 32. The first locking pin 18 rotates within the first receiving portion 20, and the pivotal connections between the first locking beam 22, the second locking beam 24, and the guide rails 28, result in the guide rails 28 and the second locking pin 26 being moved upwards, so that the second locking pin 26 is moved into engagement with the second receiving portion 30 of the bracket 12. The first and second locking pins 18, 26, are now clamped into the bracket 12 by the mechanical arrangement of the first locking beam 22, the second locking beam 24, and the guide rails 28. When in the locked position, the arrangement of the various levers is such that an over-centre locking effect is created, meaning that the handle 32 must be pulled outwards to move the support structure out of the locked position. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the support structure 10 when in the locked position.

Figure 1 shows the direction A in which the main pillar moves when the handle 32 is moved in the direction B.

In order to further improve the security of the support beam in the locked position, the handle 32 engages with a catch 34 to prevent any accidental unlocking of the support structure. Figure 7 shows the handle 32 and catch 34 arrangement in more detail. The handle 32 is pivotally attached to the second locking beam 24, with the pivot point being located against a receiving section in the catch 34. When a user pulls on the handle 32, the handle pivots against the catch, and a trigger assembly is lifted above a shoulder portion of the catch 34. The user may then fully unlock the support structure. When the handle is being pushed closed, the sequence of movements is reversed, with the trigger assembly being pushed over the catch such that the trigger assembly engages with the shoulder portion of the catch. Once the support structure 10 is in the locked

position, the vertical load experienced by the support structure is transferred through the main pillar 14 via guide rails 28, through second locking pin 26, through second locking beam 24 (as a tension load) , through first locking beam 22 (as a compression load) and the first locking pin 18 into bracket 12. No significant vertical load will be experienced by the handle 32 and catch 34. The clamping action of the first locking beam 22 and second locking beam 24 also allows a user to raise the part of the roof to which the support structure 10 is connected, should that part of the roof be sagging. The use of levers and pivots to do this reduces the force a user must exert to do this. The clamping action during locking of the support structure 10 may also help push any overhanging loads fully within the container. The first and second receiving section 18 and 30 are shaped to include guide surfaces which slightly push the support structure inwards during the locking procedure in order to assist in this.

It can also be seen that the first receiving section 18 and second receiving section 30 engage with the first locking pin 18 and second locking pin 26 in such a way that any horizontal load exerted on the support structure 10 is transferred through the support structure 10 into the bracket 12. The bracket 12 is securely fastened to the side of the container, and thus a high level of lateral strength is provided by the bracket 12 and support structure 10 arrangement when locked.

In order to unlock the support structure 10, a user pulls in an outwards direction on the handle 32. This releases the handle from the catch 34 and the user may continue to move the handle 32 away from the main pillar 14 and downwards in the opposite action to locking the support beam. As can clearly be seen, this will result in the unclamping of the first locking pin 18 and second locking pin 26 from the bracket 12. The support structure 10 may then be swung away from the bracket 12 and moved along the container in order to allow easy loading and unloading.

This can be seen in figure 5 of the present application. Figures 2 and 3 show a clear advantage of the present invention. The structure of the main pillar 14 and the second locking beam 24 mean that most of the inner workings of the locking mechanism 16 are covered when the support structure 10 is in the locked position. Therefore, the moving parts are protected from environmental contamination, and/or possible impact damage. The handle 32 is also located mostly within the inner section of the main pillar 14 thereby also protecting the handle from environmental contamination, possible impact damage, and/or accidental opening .

Figure 12 shows an exploded view of the support structure 10 according to the first embodiment, where each component can be seen clearly. As can be seen in figure 12, the bottom of the main pillar 14 includes a substantially open section 42 which allows the support structure 10 to be easily moved into and out of engagement with the bracket 12.

Figures 9, 10, and 11, show a second embodiment of the invention. Where elements are common to the first

embodiment and second embodiment, similar reference numerals are used for convenience. The locking and unlocking action of the support structure 10' is substantially the same as for the support structure 10 described in figures 1 to 8. However, the second locking beam 24' includes a third locking pin 36, which is located above the second locking pin 26' when the support structure 10' is in the locked position. The bracket 12' comprises a third receiving section 38, arranged to receive the third locking pin 36 when the support structure 10' is in the closed position. As can be seen in figures 9, 10, and 11, the bracket 12' is shaped such that the third receiving portion 38 opens in the horizontal direction, such that the third locking pin 36 moves upwards and into the third receiving portion 38 when a user is locking the support structure 10' . The bracket 12' comprises a curved section 40 which may help guide the third locking pin 36 into and out of the third receiving section 38. The use of a third locking pin 36 may increase the vertical load bearing capacity of the support structure 10' , which may be desirable when, for example, the container of which the support structure 10' is part has a two deck structure .

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

The support structure may engage directly with the base of the container, should a suitable formation be present on the base of the container. Whilst one shape of bracket has been described, the invention is not limited to a particular shape or size of bracket. Any suitable bracket may be used. The embodiments of the invention described above include a handle and catch which act as a secondary locking mechanism for the support structure. In alternative embodiments, the handle and catch may be omitted and the over-centre locking of the support structure considered sufficiently secure.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or

foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other

embodiments .