AU4883899A - Engine rack - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD

PATENT

S

S*

S

.4 Invention Title: Applicant: ENGINE RACK J.N.S. INVESTMENT SERVICES PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 0,NWINWORDSHRO"NDREWPCTOMM52521F.DOC ENGINE RACK The present invention relates to a rack for supporting an engine during transport or storage thereof. The invention has particular application to automotive engines and in the automotive industry, such racks are generally known as "stillage" racks. It should be appreciated however, that the invention is envisaged to have wider application to engines used in industries other than automotive.

Automotive stillage racks used for the transport of engines are generally of fixed configuration, reusable metallic racks. The racks are used for transport of engines from the manufacturer to the end user afterwhich the racks are returned the manufacturer for reuse. A significant cost is associated with the return of the racks, particularly if the manufacturer is located some distance from the end :i user although the reusable nature of the racks nevertheless justifies this cost, because the alternative of simply disposing of the racks after a single use is far Smore expensive. mor Non-returnable single use stillage racks constructed from paperboard, such as heavy duty corrugated cardboard have been employed for relatively lightweight engines previously, as such racks can be more economical in circumstances in which the return transport cost of reusable metallic racks is prohibitive. Such a single-use type of rack has an advantage in that it can simply be discarded by the end user, and is normally recyclable. However, the fact that they are subject to single use only, means that their cost is still significant.

Additionally, these racks have been found to be unsuitable for relatively heavy, large capacity engines or for very long engine hauls, and given the value of such engines, the expense associated with the return of metallic racks is normally justified to ensure safe engine transport.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable rack for supporting an engine during transport or storage thereof, which can be returned for reuse at reduced cost compared to known, fixed and collapsible configuration metallic racks.

CAkWINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWVPCTCOMP\55213 2

DOC

According to the present invention there is provided an engine rack including a base frame of substantially square or rectangular configuration, and collapsible supporting means for supporting an engine above the base frame, said supporting means being collapsible from an erected condition to a collapsed condition and in the collapsed condition, the thickness of the rack being not significantly greater than the maximum thickness of the base frame.

In terms of the reference above to the expression "not significantly greater", collapsible engine racks of the present invention have been made in one form to collapse to a height that is approximately 40% greater than the height of the base frame and in another form, that is approximately 27% greater than the height of the base frame. This expression therefore, is to be understood as embodying differences in the collapsed height of the rack compared to the base frame height, of this general order.

Throughout this specification, reference will be made to vertical and horizontal orientation of the rack and it is to be understood that this terminology applies in respect to the normal use of the rack in which the base frame is disposed generally horizontally. This terminology is however used for convenience only and should not be understood to be limiting on the use of the rack in certain orientations only.

The base frame can take any suitable form and can be constructed from metallic components, or a composite of metallic components and components of other materials, such as engineering plastics. In a preferred form however, the base frame is formed of galvanised steel. The base frame preferably is of a size suitable to include supporting means for supporting more than a single engine, preferably three engines, and for that purpose, the base frame is preferably rectangular. The base frame could however be arranged to support a single engine, or any number of engines, subject only to the ability of the rack to be transported by the appropriate transport carrier.

The major length of the base frame is preferably of a size which can be snugly received within a standard I.S.O. shipping container preferably across the width thereof. Thus, the major length of the base frame preferably is in the order of 2280mm. A base frame of this size can comfortably include supporting means C:\WINWORDSHARO"NDREW\PCTCOMPX552132.DOC 4 suitable to support three engines side-by-side, along the length of the base frame.

The width of the base frame transverse to the major length is preferably of a size suitable for a plurality of racks to be positioned within a container side-by-side.

The width preferably is in the order of 825mm such that a 20ft I.S.O. container can receive seven racks lengthwise. A 40f I.S.O. container can receive fourteen racks lengthwise. In this above described form, the base frame has a major length suitable to accommodate three engines lengthwise, while the width is such as to accommodate a single engine. Thus, each rack has facility to support three engines, although it should be appreciated that the rack of the invention is not limited to the above described configuration and thus can be arranged in different configurations suitable to support any number of engines.

.**The base frame is preferably relatively flat and preferably includes a pair of channels for receiving the tines of a forklift. To minimise the vertical height of the base frame, the channels can be formed in structural components of the base frame between the vertically spaced upper and lower surfaces of the frame.

0 Thus, for example, the frame can employ structural beams of suitable crosssection, such as rectangular cross-section or box beams, that are spaced apart suitable to receive forklift tines in the openings thereof. In the preferred *o arrangement, in which the base frame has a width and length suitable to support 20 three engines, the pair of structural beams of rectangular cross-section are spaced along the major length of the base frame providing for forklift tine entry transverse to the major length, and the beams are respectively disposed between the support means for each end engine and the middle engine.

In the arrangement described above, the use of the structural beams in the manner described, facilitates the use of forklift movement of the racks, without having to increase the vertical height of the base frame for that purpose.

The supporting means can have any suitable form and it is preferred, at least for large capacity engines, that the supporting means includes four supporting members which are arranged to engage and support an engine at suitable support positions. It is generally preferred that an engine be supported on either side at two positions and therefore a pair of supporting members will normally be disposed to support either side of the engine. It is possible however, C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREW\PCTCOMP\552132.DOC that support of an engine could take place at different positions and therefore, the supporting members could equally be disposed about the engine in a different manner. It is also possible that the supporting means could include only three supporting members, although for stability purposes four such supporting members are preferred.

The supporting members are required to be collapsible and preferably those members are collapsible from a substantially vertical position in the upright condition for supporting an engine, to a substantially horizontal position in the collapsed condition. Preferably in the collapsed condition, the supporting members do not extend above the maximum height of the base frame.

Each supporting member can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable material, although, like the base frame, the supporting members are preferably formed from galvanised steel and preferably in box channel sections, .,:**although other channel sections can be equally appropriate. Each supporting member preferably is hingedly connected to the base frame between the upright and collapsed positions and any suitable hinge arrangement can be employed for that purpose. The hinge arrangement preferably permits the supporting members to collapse inwardly from the upright position, so that the members can nest together in the collapsed condition.

In the upright condition, the supporting members preferably bear on the base frame, so that the engine load being supported by each member is transmitted to the frame. The hinge arrangement thus preferably facilities erection of each supporting member to an upright condition, but does not serve to bear any, or at least only slight engine load. The hinge arrangement preferably is fixed adjacent to or remote from the reaction surface of the supporting member that bears on the base frame in the upright condition.

The supporting members preferably each include engagement means for engageably supporting an engine and in a preferred form, the engagement means are rubber, plastic or foam blocks fitted to the supporting members and preferably moulded to suit the contour of the engine at the support position. The blocks are preferably removable and replaceable to suit different engines, C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREW\PCTCOMP\552132,DOC 6 although in the alternative, they can be permanently fixed to the supporting members, so that the potential for loss or incorrect fitting of a block is prevented.

In a preferred arrangement, one or more of the supporting members may be displaceable laterally from the set upright condition, in order to facilitate nesting of the members in the collapsed condition. Such displacement may be necessary when the support positions of an engine require at least two of the supporting members to be oppositely aligned, preventing proper collapse of the members without displacement. The lateral displacement may occur in any suitable manner and in a preferred arrangement, the hinge arrangement permits 10 lateral displacement during movement of the supporting member between the upright and collapsed conditions.

o. **To facilitate lateral displacement, in one form, the hinge arrangement o includes an elongate hinge pin connected to the base frame, while the supporting member includes a sleeve for receiving the hinge pin and facilitating hinge movement of the member relative to the base frame. The hinge pin has a greater lengthwise extent relative to the sleeve and thus the sleeve, and therefore the supporting member can shift lengthwise of the pin. As such, a supporting member can be shifted laterally on the hinge pin from a position aligned with an opposed supporting member, to a non-aligned position facilitating collapse of the 20 supporting member to the collapsed condition.

Normally it will be necessary for only one or two of the supporting members to be hingedly connected for lateral displacement, however if necessary, each member may be so connected. That connection may be necessary to satisfactorily collapse each supporting member to a minimum height as previously described.

Positioning means may be provided to correctly position a laterally displaceable supporting member in both or either of the upright and collapsed conditions. The positioning means may take any suitable form and preferably are abutments suitably positioned for engagement with the supporting member when that member has been positioned correctly. In one form, an abutment is provided to engage the supporting member sleeve when the supporting member is correctly positioned in the collapsed condition, while a different abutment is C\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWAPCTCOMP\552132DOC 7 provided to engage a side surface of the supporting member in the upright condition. Clearly however, many other arrangements could be adopted.

Additionally, locating means may be provided to locate the supporting members in their upright and collapsed conditions to prevent further movement from these positions. Plates can be provided for example, in the floor of the base frame for locating the supporting members in the collapsed condition.

The rack preferably also includes stacking means for stacking one rack upon another. Separate stacking means may be provided for stacking of erected racks that are supporting one or more engines, and for stacking of racks in which the supporting means has been collapsed for return transport. In one arrangement, first stacking means are provided for stacking erected racks and that stacking means preferably includes collapsible supports that are collapsible from a substantially vertical or upright condition, to a substantially horizontal collapsed condition. The collapsible supports have a length suitable to support a 15 further rack above the engines supported on the lower rack and such supports a. *o *can be hingedly connected to the base frame for movement between the upright and collapsed conditions. Locking means maybe employed to lock the supports in the upright condition.

a The first stacking means may comprise a pair of spaced supports provided at each end of a base frame, such as each narrow end and bracing means may be employed between the supports to fix them relative to one another. The bracing means are spaced from the hinged connection of the supports to the base frame. Abutments may be employed for engaging and locating the supports in the upright position.

The ends of the supports remote from the hinged connection can include locating means to locate the base frame of a further rack thereupon and such means may comprise an opening for receiving a pin, projecting from the underneath of the further rack. Each rack may include such a pin or pins, and that enables one rack to be stacked upon another, such as many be appropriate in transport containers, or in storage.

C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWPCTCOMP\552132.DOC 8 Second stacking means may be employed to stack collapsed racks and a similar opening and pin arrangement as described in relation to the first stacking means may be adopted.

A rack of the present invention can be collapsed from an erected condition quickly and easily, by collapsing the engine supporting means and if provided, the stacking supports. Each collapsed member can be arranged to nest together, so that a minimum collapsed height can be achieved. In this respect, an erected/collapsed height ratio of about 5:1 has been achieved in a rack according to the invention. The rack provides stable support for engines of large capacity and the return transport costs are minimised. The rack is also advantageous in that, all parts of the rack can be made to be permanently connected thereto, so that parts cannot be lost or misplaced. For example, the rack can be manufactured without the use of removable pins or fasteners that are applied to erect the pivoting components, or which are removed to collapse the rack. This provides a significant advantage in the workplace, which particularly requires ease of use in erecting and collapsing the rack.

The attached drawings show an example embodiment of the invention of the foregoing kind. The particularity of those drawings and the associated 99..

description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description 20 of the invention.

.=o.li Figure 1 is a side view of an engine stillage or rack 10 according to one embodiment of the invention, while Figure 2 is a plan view of the same rack With reference to both of these figures, the rack 10 includes a base frame 11 which is rectangular in plan view as seen in Figure 2. The base frame 11 is fabricated from galvanised steel and includes a pair of box channel beams 12 that extend transverse to the length of the rack 10, fully across the width thereof and define openings for receipt of forklift tines. The base frame 11 further includes transversely extending beams 13 to 15, that extend to the sides of the base frame 11 across the width thereof, and transversely extending beams 16 to 18 that extend partially across the width of the base frame 11.

The beams 13 to 18 provide anchor points for a plurality of engine supporting members 19. These members are shown in an upright condition in C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREVAPCTCOMP\552132.DOC 9 Figure 1 and a collapsed condition in Figure 2, from which figure it can be seen that three separate groups of four supporting members 19 are disposed along the length of the base frame 11. Each group of four supporting members is identical and is arranged to support, in the upright condition, an automotive engine. The automotive engine is not shown as that would obscure parts of the rack that are described. The supporting members 19 do not each extend to the same height, but instead, their height varies in accordance with the supporting positions of the engine being supported. Referring to the right-hand side of Figure 2, supporting members 19a and 19b have the same height when erected, while supporting member 19c has a still greater height and member 19d has the least height.

Each of the supporting members 19a, 19b and 19c have a similar construction with variation only in length. Figure 3 shows such a supporting member 19 which includes a right-angle mounting section 20, a supporting post 21 and an engine engagement block 22. The block 22 is moulded or machined to a shape suitable to supportingly engage the side of an engine, although the ,moulded form of each block is not shown as this will vary depending on the type of engine being supported. The blocks 22 are releasably mounted on the post 21 by a rectangular pin 23 that prevents the block 22 from rotating thereabout. The block 22 can be fixed to the post 21 if necessary.

The supporting member 19d differs from the other members by not including a supporting post 21. The block 22 of the member 19d is connected directly to the mounting section Thus, it can be seen that the vertical extension of the supporting members 19 is governed by the length of the supporting post and the height can therefore easily be varied to suit the supporting position of an engine.

The mounting section 20 of each supporting member 19 includes a sleeve 24 which forms part of a hinged connection for connecting the member to the base frame 11. The other part of the hinged connection comprises a pin and such a pin is fixed in place relative to the transverse beams 13 to 18, so that the supporting members 19 can pivot from the collapsed position shown in Figure 2 to the erected position shown in Figure 1. As seen in Figure 1, in the erected condition, the horizontal portion 25 of each of the mounting sections 20, rests on C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWPCTCOMP\552132.DOC top of one of the transverse beams 13 to 18, so that the weight of the engine is transmitted to the base frame 11.

It is apparent from the figures that the supporting members 19 collapse inwardly toward each other and rest adjacent one another as shown in Figure 2.

See also Figure 4, which is the side view of Figure 1, but showing the supporting members 19 collapsed. A plate extending horizontally across the base frame 11 provides a surface on which the support members can rest against in the collapsed condition. The supporting members 19b and 19d can simply be collapsed inwardly from their erected positions and they will nest in the collapsed positions shown. That is because the members 19b and 19d are not oppositely aligned in their erected positions, but instead are displaced laterally. That .:*,displacement is governed by the required support positions of the particular S-engine that the rack 10 is designed to support.

In contrast to the supporting members 19b and 19d, the members 19a and 19c are oppositely aligned in their erected positions and therefore, those members cannot be collapsed inwardly without laterally displacing one or both of those members. In the arrangement shown, the supporting member 19c is mounted for lateral displacement so that it can be shifted in the direction D from the erected position to assume the collapsed position. For this, an elongate hinge 20 pin 26 is provided on which the hinge sleeve of the supporting member mounting o..

section 20 can travel. The hinge pins 26 are shown in Figure 2.

Positioning lugs or pins 27 are employed to locate the supporting member 19c in the erected position. These lugs are simply a projection welded or otherwise fixed to the transverse beams 16, 17 and 18, that the edge of the horizontal portion 25 of the supporting member 19c can abut against to position the member. In the collapsed position, the same edge of the horizontal portion can abut against the inside edge of the lengthwise beam 28. The positioning means ensure that the supporting members 19c can be correctly positioned for both the erected and collapsed conditions.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the supporting members 19 can be snugly nested adjacent to each other and as shown in Figure 4, the members lay substantially horizontally in the collapsed condition. This arrangement provides C:\WINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWAPCTCOMP\552132.DOC 11 for minimum vertical height of the rack 10 and that height, as seen in the figures, is substantially the same as the vertical height of the base frame 11 in the collapsed condition.

The rack 10 of the invention further includes stacking means in the form of stacking assemblies 29 disposed at each end of the base frame 11. An end view of the stacking assembly 29 is shown in Figure 5, and in this figure it can be seen that the stacking arrangement includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel stacking posts 30, which are hingedly connected to a hinge arrangement 31 fixed to the base frame 11. At the ends of the posts 30 remote from the hinge arrangement 31, a bracing member 32 and a pair of bracing webs 33 are located.

cut-away section of the stacking assembly 29 is shown in Figure 6.

From this figure, it can be seen that the lower end of the post 30 is located *5between a pair of parallel plates 34 which guide the stacking assembly during :i pivoting movement and both of which include slots 35 that receive a hinge pin 36 (see Figure 1) for pivotal movement of the stacking assembly. The stacking 0.:0 assembly 29 also includes locking means for locking it in the upright position shown in Figure 1. That locking means includes a tongue-in-groove arrangement in which a tongue 37 is attached to the inside surface of each of the posts 30 for engagement within a groove 38 in the upright position. With the tongue 37 engaged within the groove 38, and with the rear surface 39 of the posts engaged against the abutment plate 40 (Figure 2) of the hinge arrangement 31, the stacking assembly 29 is securely held in the upright position.

In the upright position, locating cones 41 disposed at the bottom of the posts 30, can be engaged within an open end 42 of each post 30, thereby securing an upper rack to a lower rack. This can be used to stack racks one upon another in a transport container, or in storing the engines when delivery has been made.

The stacking assembly 29 can be lowered to a collapsed condition and that arrangement is shown in Figure 7. To fold the stacking assembly 29 to that position, the assembly is lifted to disengage the tongue 37 from within the groove 38 and the assembly is tilted forward. The elongated shape of the openings that house the pin 36 facilitates upward movement of the assembly. The C:\WINWORD\SHARO"MNDREWVPCTCOMP\552132.DOC 12 lowermost surface of the tongue 37 will engage against the curved surface 43 of the hinge arrangement 31 and the assembly 29 can easily be lowered to the position shown in Figure 7. The assembly fits neatly around the outside of the supporting members 19.

In the collapsed form shown in Figure 7, racks 10 can be stacked one upon another by locating the locating cones 41 in the right-angle section 43 of the hinge arrangement (see Figure 2 also As can be seen in Figure 7 when compared to Figure 1, a significant height reduction occurs in the collapsed condition of the rack 10 and this enables far more of the racks 10 to be contained within a container for return to the engine manufacturer, thus reducing transport costs per rack. It is anticipated that a return 20ft I.S.O. container could hold 105 collapsed racks.

S Figure 8 illustrates a rack according to the invention placed within a container. It can be seen from Figure 8 that the rack snugly fits within the container widthwise. A plurality of racks are placed within a container side-byside, lengthwise of the container, while the racks can also be stacked vertically.

The racks preferably are arranged to be stacked three high, although Figure 8 is not to scale and therefore does not show this. Stacking of racks three high is generally appropriate for 20ft I.S.O. containers moreso than 40ft I.S.O.

containers, because the total combined weight of engines and racks in a .i I.S.O. container will typically exceed the allowable weight for such containers for road transport, i.e. maximum axle loading.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.

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Claims (23)

1. An engine rack including a base frame of substantially square or rectangular configuration, and collapsible supporting means for supporting an engine above the base frame, said supporting means being collapsible from an erected condition to a collapsed condition and in the collapsed condition, the thickness of the rack being not significantly greater than the maximum thickness of the base frame.

2. An engine rack according to claim 1, said collapsible supporting means O.being arranged to support a plurality of engines. 9

3. An engine rack according to claim 2, said base frame being rectangular :t"and said collapsible supporting means being arranged to support three engines side-by-side along the major length of said base frame.

4. An engine rack according to any one of claims 1 to 3 said base frame including a pair of channels for receiving the tines of a forklift.

5. An engine rack according to claim 4, said channels being provided in o."9 :structural components of said base frame between the vertically spaced upper and lower surfaces of said frame.

6. An engine rack according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 3, said channels being formed in structural beams of rectangular or square cross-section disposed transversely to the major length of said base frame and one each of said channels being respectively disposed between sections of the supporting means for supporting engines at each end of the base frame and the section of the supporting means for supporting an engine therebetween.

7. An engine rack according to any one of claims I to 6, said supporting means including at least three supporting members that are collapsible from an C:\WINWORD\SHARONMNDREW\PCTCOMP\552132.DOC 14 upright position and which support an engine above said base frame in said upright position.

8. An engine rack according claim 7, said supporting means including four supporting members for supporting an engine at two positions on either side thereof.

9. An engine rack according to claim 7 or 8, said supporting members being collapsible from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position.

10. An engine rack according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein in the collapsed condition said members do not extend above the maximum height of the base frame.

11. An engine rack according to any one of claims 7 to 10, said supporting members being hingedly connected to said base frame.

12. An engine rack according to claim 11, wherein said hinge connection permits said supporting members to collapse inwardly and nest together within said base frame in the collapsed condition. 94

13. An engine rack according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said supporting members each include engagement means for engagably supporting an engine.

14. An engine rack according to claim 13, said engagement means including blocks which are shaped to suit the surface of the engine they are intended to engage and are formed from rubber, plastic or foam. C:\WINWORD\SHAROI\ANDREWMPCTCOMP\552132.DOC An engine rack according to claim 14, said blocks being removable from said supporting means, so that different blocks may be fitted to suit different engines.

16. An engine rack according to claim 7 to 12, wherein one or more of the supporting members is laterally displaceable from the position assumed in the upright position, to facilitate resting of the supporting members in the collapsed condition.

17. An engine rack according to claim 16 when dependent on claim 11, said hinged connection including an elongate hinge pin connected to said base frame p and said supporting member including a sleeve for receiving said hinge pin, the S. axial length of said sleeve being less than the axial length of said hinge pin so S:I" facilitating axial movement of said sleeve relative to said hinge pin.

18. An engine rack according to claim 16 or 17, including positioning means to p position the or each laterally displaceable supporting member, in one or both of said upright or collapsed conditions. p

19. An engine rack according to claim 18, said positioning means including an p abutment for engagement by a said supporting member when the correct position of said supporting member has been reached. An engine rack according to claim 19 when dependent on claim 17, including a first abutment for engaging said sleeve when said supporting member is correctly positioned in said collapsed condition, and a second abutment for engaging a side surface of said supporting member in said upright condition.

21. An engine rack according to any one of claims 7 to 20, locating means being provided to locate said supporting members in said upright and collapsed conditions. C:\WINWORD\SHAROW4NDREWkPCTCOMP\552132.DOC 16

22. An engine rack according to any one of claims 1 to 21, including stacking means for stacking said rack upon another engine rack of the same construction.

23. An engine rack according to claim 22, first stacking means being provided for stacking said rack in the erected condition thereof, and/or second stacking means for stacking said rack in the collapsed condition thereof.

24. An engine rack according to claim 23, said first stacking means including collapsible supports collapsible from an upright condition to a substantially horizontal collapsed condition, said supports having a length suitable to support a further engine rack above engines supported on said rack. S e 25. An engine rack according to claim 24, locking means being employed to lock said collapsible supports in said upright condition. ,O.26. An engine rack according to claim 23 or 24, said collapsible supports being ll hingedly connected at each corner of said base frame and collapsible bracing 0 means being arranged to brace said collapsible supports in said upright condition. 0000 20 27. An engine rack according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein locating C means are engagable with said collapsible supports at the ends thereof remote from their hinged connection with said base frame, said locating means locating an engine rack stacked over said engine rack.

28. An engine rack according to claim 27, said locating means including a pin and an opening for receiving a pin, said opening being formed in said base frame of said engine rack. DATED: 21 September 1999 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: J.N.S. INVESTMENT SERVICES PTY. LTD. C:AWINWORD\SHARON\ANDREWPCTCOMP\552132 DOC