Modified shipping container

Abstract

A shipping container for transporting cargo, comprising a track having a rectangular floor and vertical stanchions mounted at its comers with two opposite end walls extending therebetween, and one or more side walls having side edges with at least a portion corresponding in shape to the stanchions to interact therewith for detachably attaching the, or each, side wall to the track to form a roofless container.

1 . A shipping container for transporting cargo, comprising a track having a rectangular floor and vertical stanchions mounted at its comers with two opposite end walls extending therebetween, and one or more side walls having side edges with at least a portion corresponding in shape to said stanchions to interact therewith for detachably attaching the, or each, side wall to the track to form a roofless container.  
   
   
       2 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein said side edges are adapted to slidingly interact with said stanchions.  
   
   
       3 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein said track is a standard flatrack.  
   
   
       4 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein said stanchions are pivotally mounted to said floor, enabling said end walls to be folded from an erect position to a flat position.  
   
   
       5 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more side walls are planar.  
   
   
       6 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein there are two side walls.  
   
   
       7 . A shipping container according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said stanchions has a longitudinal axis and the sliding direction is along said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       8 . A shipping container according to  claim 7 , wherein said side edges of the side walls are so shaped as to prevent movement of the side walls, when attached to said track, in any direction other than said sliding direction.  
   
   
       9 . A shipping container according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said side edges is formed, along at least a part of its length, with a portion having a U-shaped cross-section, adapted to slidingly receive therein said stanchions upon attaching the side wall to said track.  
   
   
       10 . A shipping container according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the portions having a U-shaped cross-section is a U-shaped member attached to said side edge.  
   
   
       11 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said side walls is integrally formed with at least one grasping member for carrying said side wall.  
   
   
       12 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein said floor has at least one peripheral hole, said one or more side walls each having a bottom edge formed with at least one projection shaped to be received in said hole.  
   
   
       13 . A shipping container according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said stanchions has a bore in its top and wherein at least one of said side walls is formed with a connection member adapted to be received in said bore.  
   
   
       14 . A side wall detachably attachable to a cargo transporting track, the track having a substantially rectangular floor with vertical stanchions mounted at its four corners and two opposite end walls extending therebetween, wherein said side wall has side edges each having at least a portion corresponding in shape to said stanchions to slidingly interact therewith for detachably attaching the side wall to the track.  
   
   
       15 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein said side edges are adapted to slidingly interact with said stanchions.  
   
   
       16 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein said track is a standard flatrack.  
   
   
       17 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein said side wall is planar.  
   
   
       18 . A side wall according to  claim 15 , wherein each of said stanchions has a longitudinal axis and the sliding direction is along said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       19 . A side wall according to  claim 15 , wherein said side edges of the side wall are so shaped as to prevent movement of the side wall, when attached to said track, in any direction other than said sliding direction.  
   
   
       20 . A side wall according to  claim 15 , wherein each of said side edges is formed, along at least a part of its length, with a portion having a U-shaped cross-section, adapted to slidingly receive therein said stanchions upon attaching the side wall to said track.  
   
   
       21 . A side wall according to  claim 20 , wherein each of said U-shaped cross-sectioned portions is a U-shaped member attached to said side edge.  
   
   
       22 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein said side wall is integrally formed with at least one grasping member for carrying said side wall.  
   
   
       23 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein said floor has at least one peripheral hole and said side wall has a bottom edge, formed with at least one projection shaped to be received in said hole.  
   
   
       24 . A side wall according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said stanchions has a bore in its top and wherein said side wall is formed with at least one connection member adapted to be received in said bores.  
   
   
       25 . A method for converting a standard flatrack having a rectangular floor with vertical stanchions mounted at its four corners and two opposite end walls extending therebetween, into an open-top container, said method comprising providing one or more detachable side walls each having side edges with at least a portion corresponding in shape to said stanchions, and detachably attaching the side wall to the flatrack by providing sliding interaction between the side edges of the or each side wall with the stanchions of the flatrack.