WO2005080231A1

WO2005080231A1 - A freight container

Info

Publication number: WO2005080231A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000181
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark James Long
Original assignee: Mark James Long
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2005-01-26
Publication date: 2005-09-01

Abstract

The invention relates to a freight container (10) which can be any one of an ISO freight container and a load compartment of a pantechnicon, a pantechnicon trailer and a rigid body (12) truck, which is of the end loading type. The freight container includes a container body and a load platform (14) arrangement including a plurality of platforms (30) displaceably located in the container body, each platform being displaceable between an operative configuration, in which it extends between the side walls of the body at a raised level above the floor of the body, and an inoperative configuration, in which it is folded against a side wall. Load items can be carried upon and beneath the platforms, while loading will take place from the end of the body remote from the door, the platforms being displaced from their inoperative configuration to their operative configuration as loading continues.

Description

A FREIGHT CONTAINER

THIS INVENTION relates to a freight container.

The invention relates in particular to a freight container including a container body including a floor, rectangular in plan view, a matching roof, two side walls extending between the floor and the roof to define between them a load compartment, an end wall extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, and at least one door at the opposite ends of the side walls for controlling access to the load compartment. The body defines a centre plane, which is a plane parallel to its side walls and bisecting its floor. Any reference herein to a freight container must be interpreted as a reference to a freight container of this general type. Examples of such freight containers include certain types of ISO freight containers and bodies defining the load compartments of pantechnicons, pantechnicon trailers, and smaller rigid body trucks (e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 ton trucks).

A freight container typically provides for the transportation of products carried directly on the floor of its body, on pallets, on load sheets, in smaller dedicated containers, and so forth. As such, reference will herein be made to a load item, which must be interpreted to mean any one of a product to be supported directly on the floor of a container body, a product and a pallet on which it is carried, a product and a load sheet on which it is carried, a product and a dedicated container in which it is contained, a pallet only, and so forth. A load item can thus, as a unit, be loaded into, transported in, and unloaded from a freight container. Efficient space utilization within a load compartment of a freight container often is an objective and it is known that, particularly with some types of load items, this objective sometimes is not easily achieved. The current invention aims to at least ameliorate this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a freight container including a container body including a floor, rectangular in plan view, a matching roof, two side walls extending between the floor and the roof to define between them a load compartment, an end wall extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, and at least one door at the opposite ends of the side walls for controlling access to the load compartment, the body defining a centre plane, which is a plane parallel to its side walls and bisecting its floor; and in at least one portion of the length of the load compartment, a load platform arrangement which is displaceable relative to the container body between an operative configuration, in which it is supported above the floor and extends, in plan view, at least substantially between the side walls and is disposed to permit at least one load item to be at least partially supported on it and at least one load item to be placed at least partially below it, and an inoperative configuration, in which it is against the body to provide an undivided load space in the said portion.

The load platform arrangement thus provides for efficient space utilization in the portion of the length of the container referred to in that it permits one load item to be supported above another without requiring the former to be stacked directly on the latter. The risk of damage to the latter load item is thus minimized.

In a first type of the freight container of the invention, the load platform arrangement includes two load platforms which, in the operative configuration of the arrangement, are in operative positions in which they are disposed on opposite sides of the centre plane and parallel to the floor and in which each platform extends at least substantially between the side wall proximate to it and the centre plane. Each platform is displaceable between its operative position and an inoperative position thereof, corresponding to the inoperative configuration of the arrangement, against the side wall proximate to it, the two positions of the platform being angularly spaced from each other by approximately 90° when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the body.

In a freight container of the first type, a first side of each load platform may be supported, in the operative position of the platform, on the side wall proximate to it. The freight container may include vertically spaced load platform support formations on at least one of the side walls on which the first side of the corresponding platform is alternately supportable to provide for height adjustment of the operative position of the platform with respect to the floor. It may include support means for the load platform arrangement on which the side of each load platform opposite its first side is supported, in the operative position of the platform. Where required, the support means also may provide for height adjustment of the load platform operatively supported thereby. The support means may include at least one leg extending, in the operative configuration of the load platform arrangement, between the floor and at least one of the load platforms.

In a freight container of the first type in which a first side of each load platform is supported, in the operative position of the platform, on the side wall proximate to it, the first side of each load platform may be pivotally supported on the side wall proximate to it, permitting pivoting thereof between its operative and inoperative positions about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body.

Alternatively, in a freight container of the first type in which a first side of each load platform is supported, in the operative position of the platform, on the side wall proximate to it, the first side of each load platform may be connected to the side wall proximate to it in a manner permitting both pivoting of the platform about a pivotal access defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body and vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, the container including engagement means for supportively engaging the first side with the wall, in the operative position of the platform. The configuration of the container then may be such as to provide for displacement of the platform from its operative to its inoperative position by a combination of vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, to provide clearance between the platform and the body required for pivoting of the platform, and pivoting of the platform about the pivotal axis. The engagement means may provide for height adjustment of the operative position of the load platform with respect to the floor.

In a second type of the freight container of the invention, the load platform arrangement includes a single load platform which, in the operative configuration of the arrangement, is in an operative position in which it is disposed parallel to the floor and in which it extends at least substantially between the two side walls, the platform being displaceable between its operative position and an inoperative position thereof, corresponding to the inoperative configuration of the arrangement, against one of the side walls, the two positions of the platform being angularly spaced from each other by approximately 90° when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the body.

In a freight container of the second type, it may be that the width of the load compartment exceeds its height and that the dimension of the load platform transverse with respect to the body, in the operative position of the platform, exceeds the height of the load compartment. To permit the load platform to be displaced into its inoperative position, against one of the side walls, the said dimension then may be downwardly adjustable to provide for the platform to be accommodated in its inoperative, vertically disposed, position in the compartment. In the case of such a freight container, the load platform may include a retractable portion, which, in the operative and inoperative positions of the platform, is extended and retracted, respectively, with respect to the remainder of the platform.

In a freight container of the second type, the load platform may, in its operative position, be supported on opposite sides thereof on the two side walls. The container may include vertically spaced load platform support formations on at least one of the side walls on which a corresponding side of the load platform may be alternately supported to provide for height adjustment of the platform with respect to the floor.

Still in a freight container of the second type, a first side of the load platform may be pivotally supported on one of the side walls, permitting pivoting of the platform about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body. As such, the side of the load platform opposite its first side may, in the operative position of the platform, be releasably engaged with the other wall in a configuration in which it is supported thereby.

In a particular embodiment of the freight container of the second type in which a first side of the load platform is pivotally supported on one of the side walls, permitting pivoting of the platform about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body, the first side of the load platform is connected to the corresponding side wall in a manner permitting both pivoting thereof about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body as well as vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, the container including engagement means for supportively engaging the first side with the wall, in the operative position of the platform. The load platform is, in its operative position, on its side opposite its first side, releasably engaged with the other side wall for its support. The configuration of the container is such as to provide for displacement of the platform from its operative to its inoperative position by a combination of vertical displacement of its first side with respect to the wall proximate to it, to provide clearance between the platform and the body required for pivoting of the platform, and pivoting of the platform about the pivotal axis. In the case of such a freight container, the engagement means may provide for height adjustment of the operative position of the platform with respect to the floor.

It is stated above that a load platform of the freight container may, particularly in an inoperative position thereof, be against a side wall of the body of the container. At least two possibilities exist: A load platform may, in its inoperative position, be adjacent to a side wall of the body of the container. Alternatively, a load platform may, in its inoperative position, be at least partially received within a recess defined in a side wall of the body of the container.

The freight container may include holding means for releasably holding a platform thereof in its inoperative position.

The freight container may include displacement means for displacing a load platform thereof between its operative and inoperative positions. The displacement means may include at least one of manually and mechanically powered displacement means.

The freight container of the invention was defined above with particular reference to certain features of a portion of the length of its load compartment. However, it is envisaged that, in a typical freight container, in accordance with the invention, such features will apply to a plurality of such portions, each including a load platform arrangement, as defined. The invention extends also to such a freight container. As such, the load platform arrangements associated with the respective portions may, with each of the arrangements in its operative configuration, effectively extend along at least substantially the entire length of the load compartment, although there may be gaps between adjacent load platform arrangements. Load items can thus be supported in "layers" in the load compartment without one item being stacked directly on another, thus reducing the risk of damage to an item. For example, In the case of the container providing for load items to be supported particularly in two "layers" in its load compartment, a bottom "layer" of load items may be supported directly on the floor of the container below the load platform arrangements in their operative configurations and another layer may be supported on the load platform arrangements themselves. The load platform arrangements thus provide for efficient space utilization in the load compartment of the container. In order to load the container when it is empty, at least the load platform arrangement at the end wall (or more than one such load platform arrangement, if more than one is required for loading a load item onto them) may be disposed in its operative configuration and all other load platform arrangements in their inoperative configurations. As such, an undivided access space is provided in the load compartment between its doors and the load platform arrangement in its operative configuration for the transportation of load items to this load platform arrangement. Load items may thus be conveniently transported to the load platform arrangement in its operative configuration via suitable means, e.g. by hand or by means of a forklift. When the load platform arrangement in its operative configuration and the part of the floor of the container below it have been loaded, the adjacent load platform arrangement may be displaced into its operative configuration and loaded. The same may be done with the other load platform arrangements in sequence.

The roof of the freight container may be displaceable with respect to its side walls between a transport position, in which it is directly on top of the side walls, and a load facilitation position, in which it is raised above the tops of the side walls. The roof may have displacement means for displacing it between its transport and load facilitating positions.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a section through an embodiment of a first type of freight container, in accordance with the invention, along the line l-l in Figure 2, with load platform arrangements thereof in operative configurations;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the container of Figure 1 along the line II- II of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a detail of a part of the illustration of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a detail of a part of the illustration of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a cross-section through the container of Figure 1 along the line II- II of Figure 1 , with its load platform arrangements in inoperative configurations thereof;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of a second type of freight container, in accordance with the invention, with a load platform thereof in a first operative position;

Figure 7 shows the same cross-section as Figure 6, except that the load platform is now in an inoperative position;

Figure 8 shows the same cross-section as Figure 6, except that the load platform is now in a second operative position;

Figure 9 shows a bottom view of the load platform of Figures 6 to 8;

Figure 10 shows a section of a short length of the container of Figure 6 along the line X-X of Figure 6;

Figure 11 shows a section of substantially the same length of the container shown in Figure 10, but along the line XI-XI of Figure 6; and

Figure 12 shows a side view of a load platform of a second embodiment of a second type of freight container, in accordance with the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a first type of freight container, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The container 10 particularly can serve as a maritime freight container. The container 10 includes a body 12 including a floor 14 (see Figure 2), rectangular in plan view, a matching roof 16 (see Figure 2), two side walls 18.1 and 18.2 extending between the floor and the roof to define between them a load compartment 20, and an end wall 22 extending between corresponding ends of the side walls. At the opposite ends of the side walls 18, the body 12 has two doors 26 for controlling access to the load compartment 20. Due to the layout of the container 10, it may be referred to also as an end loading container. The container 10 defines a centre plane 28, which is a plane parallel to its walls 18.1 and 18.2 and bisecting its floor 14 (see Figure 2).

With reference particularly to Figure 1, the container 10 includes eighteen rectangular steel platforms 30.1 to 30.18 fitted in its body 12 which, in their positions shown, extend, in combination, along the entire length of the compartment 20 of the container. The platforms 30 are provided in pairs, one platform of each pair extending between the centre plane 28 and the wall 18.1 and the other between the plane 28 and the wall 18.2. Each pair of platforms 30 has support means, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, and forms a load platform arrangement. In Figures 1 and 2, the platforms 30 are shown in their operative positions in which they are disposed parallel to the floor 14 (see Figure 2). These positions correspond to the operative configurations of the platform arrangements, in which each of the arrangements extends, in plan view, between the side walls 18.1 and 18.2.

With reference particularly to Figure 1 , the side walls 18.1 and 18.2 define therein vertical slots 32 between adjacent pairs of platforms 30 and at the ends of the side walls. Two of these slots are shown more clearly in Figure 3.

With reference particularly to Figure 4, in each slot 32, particularly on both sides thereof along a part of its length, steel load platform support formations 34 are welded to the adjacent side wall 18 in a vertically spaced configuration.

All platforms 30 (see Figure 1 ) are identical and also identically supported. As such, only the platform 30.16 will now be described in detail with reference particularly to Figures 3 and 4. The platform 30.16 includes, at opposite corners thereof at the wall 18, two support formations, each including a plate 36 (see Figure 3), welded to the remainder of the platform, and a dowel 38 projecting from the plate, as shown in Figure 3, via which the platform is supported on two of the support formations 34 (see Figure 4) in two adjacent slots 32. The dowels 38 particularly are supported on the support formations 34 and this arrangement provides for downward pivotal displacement of the platform 30.16 with respect to the wall 18.2, about a pivotal axis 39 (see Figure 4) coinciding with the centre lines of both dowels, into an inoperative vertical position, as shown in Figure 5. The axis 39 is in the wall 18.2 and parallel to the floor 14. The support formations of the platform 30.16 may be disengaged from the support formations 34 on which they are supported and the platform may then be supported on another pair of platform support formations 34. As such, height adjustability of the pivotal axis 39 associated with the platform 30.16 at the wall 18.2 is provided for.

The platform 30.16 has also support means in the form of two legs 40, each extending vertically between the floor 14 and the platform, on which it is supported near the plane 28.

With reference again particularly to Figure 4, each leg 40 is pivotally mounted on the platform 30.16 and, as such, can be displaced into an inoperative position in which it is received within the platform 30.16 and held by a clip 42, also in the platform. This position is shown in Figure 5.

The leg 40 particularly includes two telescopically displaceable lengths of pipe 44 and 46. The length of pipe 44 defines therein a series of spaced apart holes 48 of which the positions correspond to the various support formations 34. A pin 50 can be inserted into any of the holes 48 to engage the lengths of pipe 44 and 46 in a particular position. As such, the support formations 34 and the legs 40 provide for height adjustability of the platform 30.16 at any of a plurality of heights whilst the platform remains disposed parallel to the floor 14. The length of pipe 46 defines at its operative bottom end a spigot formation 52 which, in the configuration shown, is received within a matching socket formation 54 defined in the floor 14. In the operative position of the platform 30.16 shown, a load item may be supported on the floor 14 below it and another load item may be supported on the platform itself. Such load items may thus be supported in "layers" without the risk of damage to them due to direct stacking of one item upon the other. Due to the height adjustability of the platform 30.16, different sizes of load items may be accommodated below it or above it. By way of example, in Figure 1, the positions in which two palletized load items may be supported on the platforms 30.17 and 30.18 are shown in broken lines, designated by the reference numeral 55. Clearly, more palletized load items also can be supported in corresponding positions on the remainder of the load platforms 30 to define a "layer" of such items. A similar "layer" can be supported beneath the platforms 30, on the floor 14 (see Figure 2).

With reference again particularly to Figure 4, clearly, the platform 30.15 can be supported at a level different from that of the platform 30.16. In such a configuration, they still extend in plan view between the walls 18.1 and 18.2.

In Figure 5, the legs 40 of the platform 30.16 have been displaced into their inoperative positions inside the platform 30.16 and the platform has been pivotally displaced into its inoperative position. The same applies to the platform 30.15. The configuration shown of the load platform arrangement including the platforms 30.15 and 30.16 is its inoperative configuration in which it is closely spaced to the body 12 to provide an undivided central load space 56 in the length of the compartment 20 containing the arrangement.

With reference again particularly to Figure 1 , in order to load the container 10 when it is empty, the load platform arrangement including the platforms 30.1 and 30.2 is displaced into its operative configuration and all other load platform arrangements into their inoperative configurations. As such, an undivided access space is provided in the load compartment 20 between its doors 26 and the platforms 30.1 and 30.2 for the transportation of load items to them. With the doors 26 open, load items may thus be conveniently transported to these platforms via suitable means, e.g. by hand or by means of a forklift. When the platforms 30.1 and 30.2 and the part of the floor 14 below them has been loaded, the adjacent load platforms 30.3 and 30.4 may be displaced into their operative positions and loaded. The same applies to all successive load platforms in sequence.

Clearly, the platforms 30 in the above example are manually displaceable between their operative and their inoperative positions and height adjustment of the platforms also is performed manually. In an alternative embodiment of the container of the invention (not shown), it may include mechanical displacement means, e.g. electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically operated displacement means, for displacing a load platform between its operative and its inoperative position. It may, alternatively or additionally, include such displacement means for effecting height adjustment of the platform.

In yet an alternative embodiment of the freight container of the invention (not shown), its roof may be displaceable with respect to its side walls and its end wall between a transport position, in which it rests directly on the tops of the walls, and a load facilitating position, in which it is raised above the tops of the walls to facilitate loading of the load compartment. The roof particularly may have suitable displacement means for displacing it between its transport position and its load facilitating position.

A load platform arrangement similar to that described above may be provided for retrofitting into an existing end loading container. As such, it may include support means for installation along the side walls of a freight container for supporting the platforms. The support means may include operatively vertically disposed posts. Such posts may define platform support formations similar to the support formations 34 of the container 10 described above. The invention extends also to such a load platform arrangement for retrofitting into an existing end loading container, as such.

In Figures 6 to 8, an embodiment of a second type of freight container, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 60. The container 60 particularly is a part of a pantechnicon. With reference particularly to Figure 6, the container 60 includes a body 62 including a floor 64, rectangular in plan view, a matching roof 66, two side walls 68.1 and 68.2 extending between the floor and the roof to define between them a load compartment 70, and an end wall 72 extending between corresponding ends of the side walls. Between the opposite ends of the side walls 68 are two doors (not shown) for controlling access to the load compartment 70. Clearly, the container 60 also is an example of an end loading container, as referred to above.

Along the entire length of the load compartment 70, identical load platform arrangements are provided. Only one such arrangement is shown in Figures 6 to 8, designated in Figure 6 by the reference numeral 74. The arrangement 74 includes a rectangular load platform 76, for which the container 60 includes a support member 78 carried on the wall 68.1 and a support member 80 carried on the wall 68.2.

The platform 76 is shown in more detail in Figure 9. It includes a main body 81 and has a length of approximately 2.5m, a width of approximately 400mm, and a depth of approximately 45mm. The platform 76 has mounted thereon, at opposite ends thereof, transverse rods 82 and 84. On opposite ends of the rod 82, two guide members 86 are mounted. On a length of tubing 88 located around the bar 82, two support members 90 are mounted. The members 90 are fixed with respect to each other, but they can pivot together about the rod 82. The support members 90 define three pairs of support formations 91.1, 91.2, and 91.3, of which the purpose will be described below.

On the rod 84, an engagement member 92, hook-like in side view (see Figure 6), is mounted to be pivotally displaceable with respect to the platform body 81. The member 92 is shown in an operative position with respect to the body 81 and can pivot through approximately 180° from this position into an inoperative position (not shown) inside the body 81. The platform 76 includes still further biasing means in the form of a spring (not shown), which biases the member 92 into its inoperative position. With reference particularly to Figures 10 and 11 , the side wall 68.1 particularly is defined by a plurality of equally spaced vertical frame members 94, of which only two are shown here, and an outer cladding sheet 96 mounted on the frame members 94.

With reference particularly to Figure 10, the side wall 68.2 particularly is defined by a plurality of equally spaced vertical frame members 98, at longitudinal positions along the body 62 (see Figure 6) corresponding to those of the members 94 of the wall 68.1 (only two of the members 98 being shown here) and an outer cladding sheet 100 mounted on the frame members 98.

With reference again particularly to Figures 10 and 11, each frame member 94 has a shallow channel-type member 102 mounted thereon and extending along the upper half of the member 94. The combination of each member 94 and the associated member 102 defines on opposite sides thereof vertically disposed rail formations, each defining therein a slot 104 (see Figure 10). The spacing and configuration of the members 94 and 102 is such as to provide for the guide members 86 (see Figure 9) of the platform 76 to be slideably received within a pair of slots 104 between adjacent members 94. In Figures 6 to 8, the members 86 are so received within the slots 104 of Figure 10 and, as such, the platform 76 is connected to the wall 68.1. Clearly, this arrangement provides for guided vertical displacement of the end of the platform 76 at the wall 68.1 along the wall. This arrangement also provides for pivoting of the platform 76 with respect to the wall 68.1 about a horizontally disposed pivotal axis on the centre line of the bar 82 (see Figure 9).

In Figure 6, the end of the platform 76 connected to the wall 68.1 is supported on the member 78.

With reference particularly to Figures 6 and 10, the member 80 includes two side plates

105, mounted on adjacent vertical frame members 98 of the wall 68.2, and four rods 106 1 to 106.4, each extending between the two plates. The rods 106 are horizontally disposed and define vertically spaced support formations for an end of the platform 76. Members identical to the member 80 are provided between each two adjacent members 98, i.e. along the entire length of the load compartment 70.

In Figure 6, via the engagement member 92, in its operative position with respect to the body 81 (see Figure 6) of the platform 76, the end of the platform 76 at the wall 68.2 is engaged with the bottom rod 106.1 in a configuration in which the said end is supported by the rod. This is a first operative position of the platform 76.

In Figure 8, the platform 76 is shown in a second operative position thereof. It is supported on the wall 68.1 via the support members 90 and the support formation 78.

Here, the support members 90 are pivotally displaced with respect to the platform 76 by approximately 90° from their positions shown in Figure 6. The pair of support formations

91.3 (see Figure 9) particularly is supported on the support formation 78. The platform

76 still is horizontally disposed. This is due to the support member 80 and the support members 90 being matched to each other and, as such, they clearly provide for level adjustment of the platform 76 with respect to the floor 64. The platform 76 also is supportable on the walls 68.1 and 68.2 in any one of two additional positions intermediate the positions shown in Figures 6 and 8, the first being defined by the rod

106.2 and the pair of support formations 91.1 (see Figure 9) and the second by the rod 106.3 and the pair of support formations 91.2.

In Figure 7, the platform 76 is shown in an inoperative position thereof against the wall 68.1. The member 92 is in its inoperative position inside the body 81 of the platform 76. The platform 76 is particularly partially received within a recess, designated in Figure 10 by the reference numeral 108, defined within the wall 68.1. In order to displace the platform 76 from any one of its operative positions, e.g. those shown in Figures 6 and 8, its end carrying the engagement members 90 is displaced upwards along the wall 68.1 , such displacement being guided by the members 86 (see Figure 9) on the platform 76 and the rail formations defined by the frame members 94 and the members 102 (see Figures 10 and 11 ). During such displacement, the platform 76 also is rotated clockwise through approximately 90° in the direction of the views shown in Figures 6 to 8, i.e. when viewed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 60. The platform 76, during such displacement, particularly is raised sufficiently to provide clearance over a plate 110, after which it is released to permit it to be slightly downwardly displaced until it is supported on its now bottom end, which is then behind the plate 110. The plate 110 now serves as holding means for holding the platform 76 in this position, i.e. to prevent pivotal displacement thereof about its top end.

Clearly, such upward displacement of the end of the platform 76 carrying the engagement members 90 provides the clearance between the platform 76 and the floor 64 required for displacing the platform 76 into its inoperative position against the wall 68.1.

In Figure 12, a platform of a second embodiment of the second type of freight container, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 112. The platform 112 includes a main body 114 and an extension body 116. The width and depth of the platform 112 is similar to that of the platform 76 of Figure 9. The bodies 114 and 116 are telescopically displaceable with respect to each other to provide an extended position of the body 116, as shown, and a retracted position, in which a plate 118 of the body 116 abuts against an end 120 of the body 114.

An end portion 121 of the body 114 is identical to the corresponding end portion of the body 81 of the platform 76 of Figure 9 and carries two support members 122, identical to the support members 90 of the platform 76 of Figure 9. The extension body 116 carries at its end remote from the body 114 an engagement member 124, identical to the engagement member 92 of the platform 76 of Figure 9.

The container body (not shown) in which the platform 112 is used is similar to the container body 62 of the container 60 of Figure 6, but the height of its load compartment is smaller than its width. Extension of the extension body 116 from the body 114 provides for the platform 112, in its operative position, to extend between the opposite side walls of the associated container. Retraction of the extension body 116 into the body 114 provides for the platform 112 to fit vertically in the container, in the inoperative position of the platform.

The above examples are ofa container forming a part ofa pantechnicon and a maritime freight container, respectively. However, the freight container of the invention may alternatively be provided as a part of a pantechnicon trailer or a smaller rigid body truck, e.g. any one of a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 ton truck.

Claims

1. A freight container including a container body including a floor, rectangular in plan view, a matching roof, two side walls extending between the floor and the roof to define between them a load compartment, an end wall extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, and at least one door at the opposite ends of the side walls for controlling access to the load compartment, the body defining a centre plane, which is a plane parallel to its side walls and bisecting its floor; and in at least one portion of the length of the load compartment, a load platform arrangement which is displaceable relative to the container body between an operative configuration, in which it is supported above the floor and extends, in plan view, at least substantially between the side walls and is disposed to permit at least one load item to be at least partially supported on it and at least one load item to be placed at least partially below it, and an inoperative configuration, in which it is against the body to provide an undivided load space in the said portion.

A freight container as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the load platform arrangement includes two load platforms which, in the operative configuration of the arrangement, are in operative positions in which they are disposed on opposite sides of the centre plane and parallel to the floor and in which each platform extends at least substantially between the side wall proximate to it and the centre plane; and each platform is displaceable between its operative position and an inoperative position thereof, corresponding to the inoperative configuration of the arrangement, against the side wall proximate to it, the two positions of the platform being angularly spaced from each other by approximately 90° when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the body.

3. A freight container as claimed in Claim 2, in which a first side of each load platform is supported, in the operative position of the platform, on the side wall proximate to it.

4. A freight container as claimed in Claim 3, which includes vertically spaced load platform support formations on at least one of the side walls on which the first side of the corresponding platform is alternately supportable to provide for height adjustment of the operative position of the platform with respect to the floor.

5. A freight container as claimed in Claim 3 or in Claim 4, which includes support means for the load platform arrangement on which the side of each load platform opposite its first side is supported, in the operative position of the platform.

6. A freight container as claimed in Claim 5, in which the support means includes at least one leg extending, in the operative configuration of the load platform arrangement, between the floor and at least one of the load platforms.

7. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, in which the first side of each load platform is pivotally supported on the side wall proximate to it, permitting pivoting thereof between its operative and inoperative positions about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body.

8. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, in which the first side of each load platform is connected to the side wall proximate to it in a manner permitting both pivoting of the platform about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body and vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, the container including engagement means for supportively engaging the first side with the wall, in the operative position of the platform; and the configuration of the container is such as to provide for displacement of the platform from its operative to its inoperative position by a combination of vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, to provide clearance between the platform and the body required for pivoting of the platform, and pivoting of the platform about the pivotal axis.

A freight container as claimed in Claim 8, in which the engagement means provides for height adjustment of the operative position of the load platform with respect to the floor.

10. A freight container as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the load platform arrangement includes a single load platform which, in the operative configuration of the arrangement, is in an operative position in which it is disposed parallel to the floor and in which it extends at least substantially between the two side walls, the platform being displaceable between its operative position and an inoperative position thereof, corresponding to the inoperative configuration of the arrangement, against one of the side walls, the two positions of the platform being angularly spaced from each other by approximately 90° when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the body.

11. A freight container as claimed in Claim 10, in which the width of the load compartment exceeds its height; the dimension of the load platform transverse with respect to the body, in the operative position of the platform, exceeds the height of the load compartment; and to permit the load platform to be displaced into its inoperative position, against one of the side walls, the said dimension is downwardly adjustable to provide for the platform to be accommodated in its inoperative, vertically disposed, position in the compartment.

12. A freight container as claimed in Claim 11 , in which the load platform includes a retractable portion which, in the operative and inoperative positions of the platform, is extended and retracted, respectively, with respect to the remainder of the platform.

13. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, in which the load platform is, in its operative position, supported on opposite sides thereof on the two side walls.

14. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13, which includes vertically spaced load platform support formations on at least one of the side walls on which a corresponding side of the load platform may be alternately supported to provide for height adjustment of the platform with respect to the floor.

15. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14, in which a first side of the load platform is pivotally supported on one of the side walls, permitting pivoting of the platform about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body.

16. A freight container as claimed in Claim 15, in which the side of the load platform opposite its first side is, in the operative position of the platform, releasably engaged with the other wall in a configuration in which it is supported thereby.

17. A freight container as claimed in Claim 15 or in Claim 16, in which the first side of the load platform is connected to the corresponding side wall in a manner permitting both pivoting thereof about a pivotal axis defined at the first side and disposed longitudinally with respect to the body as well as vertical displacement of the first side with respect to the wall, the container including engagement means for supportively engaging the first side with the wall, in the operative position of the platform; and the load platform is, in its operative position, on its side opposite its first side, releasably engaged with the other side wall for its support, the configuration of the container being such as to provide for displacement of the platform from its operative to its inoperative position by a combination of vertical displacement of its first side with respect to the wall, to provide clearance between the platform and the body required for pivoting of the platform, and pivoting of the platform about the pivotal axis.

18. A freight container as claimed in Claim 17, in which the engagement means provides for height adjustment of the operative position of the platform with respect to the floor.

19. A freight container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a load platform thereof is, in its inoperative position, adjacent to a side wall of its body.

20. A freight container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18, in which a load platform thereof is, in its inoperative position, at least partially received within a recess defined in a side wall of its body.

21. A freight container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes holding means for releasably holding a platform thereof in its inoperative position.

22. A freight container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the features claimed in relation to a portion of the length of its load compartment applies to a plurality of such portions.

23. A freight container as claimed in Claim 22, in which the load platform arrangements associated with the respective portions, with each of the arrangements in its operative configuration, effectively extend along at least substantially the entire length of the load compartment.

24. A freight container as claimed in Claim 22 or in Claim 23, which is dimensioned to match the dimensions of pallets to be transported in the container.

25. A freight container as claimed in Claim 24, which is dimensioned to provide for two pallets to be supported side by side, on opposite sides of the centre plane, on a single load platform arrangement in its operative configuration.

26. A freight container as claimed in Claim 24, which is dimensioned to provide for two pallets to be supported side by side, on opposite sides of the centre plane, on two adjacent load platform arrangements, each in its operative configuration.

27. A freight container substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.