Unit load device and container for transporting cargo

Abstract

A unit load device includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface to define a thickness of the base, a plurality of openings disposed within the thickness of the base in a plane generally parallel to the each of the top and bottom surfaces, plurality of corner posts and plurality of cross braces, and arrangement on the top surface of the base for positioning the at least one of plurality of corner posts and plurality of cross braces on the top surface in a plane being generally parallel to a plane of the top surface.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A unit load device comprising:
 (a) a base having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced apart form said top surface to define a thickness of said base;   (b) a plurality of openings disposed within said thickness of said base in a plane generally parallel to said each of said top and bottom surfaces; and   (c) means disposed on said top surface for positioning at least one of plurality of corner posts and plurality of cross braces on said top surface in direct contact thereto, said at least one of said plurality of corner posts and said plurality of cross braces employed in combination with a cargo positioned for transport on said top surface.   
     
     
         2 . The unit loading device of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning means includes a peripheral lip upstanding on said top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The unit loading device of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning means includes a plurality of grooves disposed within said top surface, each of said plurality of grooves is sized to receive at least one of said plurality of corner posts and plurality of cross braces. 
     
     
         4 . The unit loading device of  claim 1 , further including:
 (a) an elongated member disposed at each corner of said base in a plane generally transverse to each of said top and bottom surfaces, said elongated member having a hollow interior and a bottom portion thereof extending a distance past said bottom surface of said base;   (b) a quartet of elongated corner posts each having a generally closed end thereof sized and shaped so as to be received within said hollow interior of a respective elongated member and an opposite generally open end; and   (c) said plurality of braces, wherein at least one of said plurality of braces attaches at each end thereof to a pair of elongated posts disposed on one side of said base.   
     
     
         5 . The unit loading device of  claim 1 , further including means for attaching said each end of each brace to a side of a respective elongated post in each of detachable and secure manner. 
     
     
         6 . A unit load device comprising:
 (a) a base having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced apart from said top surface to define a thickness of said base;   (b) a peripheral lip upstanding on said top surface;   (c) an elongated member disposed at each corner of said base in a plane generally transverse to each of said top and bottom surfaces, said elongated member having a hollow interior and a bottom portion;   (d) a plurality of openings disposed within said thickness of said base in a plane generally parallel to said each of said top and bottom surfaces;   (e) a quartet of elongated posts each of said quartet of elongated posts having a generally open end and an opposite generally closed end thereof sized and shaped so as to be received within said hollow interior of a respective elongated member;   (f) plurality of braces, wherein at least one of said plurality of braces attaches at each end thereof to a pair of elongated posts disposed on one side of said base; and   (g) means for attaching said each end of each brace to a side of a respective elongated post in each of detachable and secure manner.   
     
     
         7 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said attaching means includes at least one longitudinal slot disposed along a length of each of said quartet of elongated posts, said at least one longitudinal slot defining a generally T-shape in a plane transverse to said length and wherein said each of said plurality of braces has each end thereof is so shaped and sized that it fits within said slot, wherein said each of said plurality of braces is attached to said pair of elongated posts. 
     
     
         8 . The unit loading device of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one longitudinal slot is a pair of said longitudinal slots disposed in each inwardly facing surface of said each of said quartet of elongated posts positioned on said base. 
     
     
         9 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said each of said quartet of elongated posts includes a substantially hollow interior opening, wherein said open end is sized and shaped so as to be received within said elongated member of said base through a top end thereof and wherein said closed end is sized to be received within said bottom portion of a respective elongated member. 
     
     
         10 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said each of said quartet of elongated posts includes a pair of substantially hollow interior opening, 
     
     
         11 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said generally closed end of said each of said quartet of elongated posts includes at least one taper. 
     
     
         12 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein a height of said peripheral lip is at last about equal to a thickness of said posts and braces. 
     
     
         13 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein opposite ends of some of said plurality of braces includes an offset that is so shaped relative to a length of said some of said plurality of braces includes so that a pair of braces, wherein at least one brace includes said offsets, attached to said pair of elongated posts in a crossing relationship to one another about a center point thereof and further in a manner that substantially eliminates bending of at least one brace. 
     
     
         14 . The unit loading device of  claim 13 , further including means for attaching said pair of braces to each other at said center point thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The unit loading device of  claim 14 , wherein said means for attaching said pair of braces to each other at said center point thereof includes a pair of apertures, each of said pair of apertures are formed through a thickness of each brace and an elongated member inserted through said pair of apertures being in aligned relationship with each other. 
     
     
         16 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of openings disposed within said thickness of said base are so positioned that said unit load device is adapted for handling by a material handling vehicle from each side of said unit load device. 
     
     
         17 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said base includes a bottom portion disposed at each corner of said base and extending past said bottom surface thereof and wherein a free end of said bottom portion is disposed a distance from said bottom surface of said base. 
     
     
         18 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein an empty unit load device is transported in a knock-down form wherein said plurality of corner posts and braces are positioned on said top surface of said base. 
     
     
         19 . The unit loading device of  claim 6 , wherein said unit load device is used for transporting cargo within a marine container being sized larger than presently used conventional marine containers. 
     
     
         20 . A marine container comprising:
 (a) a shell defining a hollow interior of said container;   (b) a pair of end doors mounted within end openings of said shell; and   (c) a longitudinal recess provided in each end of said shell and sized to accommodate guide posts provided in container holds of marine vessels.