Modular pipe basket

Abstract

A modular pipe basket for transporting pipe is disclosed. The modular pipe basket will comprise a rectangular base, two or more stanchions and one or more end caps. In another embodiment, the modular pipe basket will incorporate a storage compartment or bin for storing miscellaneous piping accessories. In addition, the modular pipe basket may be equipped with a four point sling pickup system for lifting the basket with a crane along with the means for lifting the basket with a forklift.

1 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate first base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   an elongate second base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   wherein the first base member is connected to the second base member by one or more connecting members;   wherein the one or more connecting members have a load rating of at least 10,000 pounds;   a first stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the first end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member; wherein the first stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a second stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the second end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member;   wherein the second stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a third stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the first end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member;   wherein the third stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a fourth stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the second end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member; wherein the fourth stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a first receiving socket positioned on the first base member opposite the first stanchion;   a second receiving socket positioned on the first base member opposite the second stanchion;   a third receiving socket positioned on the second base member opposite the third stanchion;   a fourth receiving socket positioned on the second base member opposite the fourth stanchion;   wherein the pipe basket is capable of stable stacking on top of a similar second basket such that the first receiving socket, the second receiving socket, the third receiving socket, and the fourth receiving socket receive a first stanchion of the similar second basket, a second stanchion of the similar second basket, a third stanchion of the similar second basket, and a fourth stanchion of the similar second basket respectively;   wherein a cargo space is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped having a height equivalent to and coextensive with the height of the first stanchion, having a width equivalent to and coextensive with the width between the first stanchion and the third stanchion, and having a length that both passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the first stanchion and the third stanchion and that passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the second stanchion and the fourth stanchion;   wherein the full height of the cargo space is open at a point between the first stanchion and the second stanchion; and   wherein the cargo space has a length of at least 28 feet.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe basket of  claim 1   wherein the cargo space has a width of at least 3 feet;   wherein the cargo space has a height of at least 1 foot; and   wherein the area above the cargo space is open.   
     
     
         3 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is configured and arranged to stably stack on top of the similar second basket with the cargo space loaded. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein at least one tensioning device is arranged to provide tension between the first base member and the second base member. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the cargo space is bounded by two backstops at least one of which is removable. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe basket of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the backstops is arranged and configured to be removably fastened in a position such that there is greater than 28 feet separating it from the other backstop but less than 40 feet separating it from the other backstop. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe basket of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the backstops is arranged and configured to be removably fastened in a position such that there is greater than 30 feet separating it from the other backstop but less than 43 feet separating it from the other backstop. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  in which there is a backstop at each end of the basket and the distance between the backstops is greater than 28 feet but less than 45 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  in which there is a backstop at each end of the basket and the distance between the backstops is greater than 30 feet but less than 43 feet. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the cargo space has a width of at least 3 feet. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the cargo space has a height of at least 1 foot. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the cargo space has a width of about 40 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the cargo space has a height of about 33 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket fits within a rectangular parallelepiped measuring 44 feet×7 feet×7 feet. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe basket of  claim 1   wherein the cargo space has a width of at least 3 feet;   wherein the cargo space has a height of at least 1 foot; and   wherein the area above the cargo space is open.   
     
     
         16 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate first base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   an elongate second base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   a first stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the first end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member; wherein the first stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a second stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the second end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member;   wherein the second stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a third stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the first end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member;   wherein the third stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a fourth stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the second end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member; wherein the fourth stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   wherein a cargo space is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped having a height equivalent to and coextensive with the height of the first stanchion, having a width equivalent to and coextensive with the width between the first stanchion and the third stanchion, and having a length that both passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the first stanchion and the third stanchion and that passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the second stanchion and the fourth stanchion;   wherein the full height of the cargo space is open at a point between the first end and the first stanchion;   wherein the area above the cargo space is open;   wherein the pipe basket is configured and arranged to stably stack on top of a similar second basket with a loaded cargo space.   
     
     
         17 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate first base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   an elongate second base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   a first stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the first end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member; wherein the first stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a second stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the second end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member;   wherein the second stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a third stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the first end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member;   wherein the third stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a fourth stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the second end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member; wherein the fourth stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   wherein a cargo space is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped having a height equivalent to and coextensive with the height of the first stanchion, having a width equivalent to and coextensive with the width between the first stanchion and the third stanchion, and having a length that both passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the first stanchion and the third stanchion and that passes through and extends beyond the plane occupied by the second stanchion and the fourth stanchion;   wherein the cargo space has a width of at least 3 feet;   wherein the cargo space has a height of at least 1 foot;   wherein the first base member and the second base member each have a load rating of at least 10,000 pounds; and   wherein the cargo space is bounded by one or more removable backstops attached to one or more of the base members.   
     
     
         18 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate first base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   an elongate second base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   a first stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the first end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member; wherein the first stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a second stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the second end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member;   wherein the second stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a third stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the first end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member;   wherein the third stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a fourth stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the second end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member; wherein the fourth stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   two backstops that are proximate to the ends of the base members;   a cargo space is bounded by the two backstops;   wherein at least one of the backstops is removable;   wherein at least one of the backstops is arranged and configured to be removably fastened in a position such that there is greater than 32 feet separating it from the other backstop but less than 34 feet separating it from the other backstop; and   wherein at least one of the backstops is arranged and configured to be removably fastened in a position such that there is greater than 35 feet separating it from the other backstop but less than 37 feet separating it from the other backstop.   
     
     
         19 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate first base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   an elongate second base member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint;   a first stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the first end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member; wherein the first stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a second stanchion connected to the first base member at a point central to the second end of the first base member and the midpoint of the first base member;   wherein the second stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a third stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the first end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member;   wherein the third stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a fourth stanchion connected to the second base member at a point central to the second end of the second base member and the midpoint of the second base member; wherein the fourth stanchion is substantially free standing at its upper extent;   a first receiving socket positioned on the first base member opposite the first stanchion;   a second receiving socket positioned on the first base member opposite the second stanchion;   a third receiving socket positioned on the second base member opposite the third stanchion;   a fourth receiving socket positioned on the second base member opposite the fourth stanchion;   a pipe basket cargo space having a length of at least 32 feet; and   wherein the cargo space is bounded by two backstops at least one of which is removable.   
     
     
         20 . A pipe basket comprising:
 an elongate base having a first end, a second end, a first long side and a second long side;   wherein the first long side has a first end and a second end;   wherein the second long side is substantially parallel to the first long side and has a first end that is proximate to the first end of the first long side and a second end that is proximate to the second end of the first long side;   a first stanchion attached to the elongate base along the first long side at a point intermediate the first end of the first long side and the second end of the first long side;   a second stanchion attached to the elongate base along the first long side at a point intermediate the first end of the first long side and the second end of the first long side;   a third stanchion attached to the elongate base along the second long side at a point intermediate the first end of the second long side and the second end of the second long side;   a fourth stanchion attached to the elongate base along the second long side at a point intermediate the first end of the second long side and the second end of the second long side;   an open space between each of the stanchions that extends above the basket;   an open space that extends from the space above the first end of the elongate base, through the area between the first stanchion and the third stanchion, through the area between the second stanchion and the fourth stanchion to the space above the second end of the elongate base.