Flat rack for transporting cargo

{
  "publication_number": "US9573725B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Flat rack for transporting cargo",
  "abstract": "A flat rack comprising, a cargo platform for carrying a load, terminal bulkheads for enclosing the cargo platform and two intermediate bulkheads positioned between the terminal bulkheads at equal distance from the center of gravity of the flat rack. Each of the intermediate bulkheads is equipped with lifting points suitable therefore. Optionally, the distance between the intermediate bulkheads is between 20′ and 40′. More specifically, the distance between the intermediate bulkheads may be 34′. A method for loading or offloading a cargo vessel loaded with a plurality of flat racks. The method comprises operating a crane adapted to lift at least one of the plurality of flat racks as described herein above.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A flat rack comprising: a cargo platform for carrying a load; terminal bulkheads for enclosing the cargo platform, the terminal bulkheads being opened bulkheads having diagonal braces therewithin; and two intermediate bulkheads positioned between the terminal bulkheads at equal distance from the center of gravity of the flat rack, each of the intermediate bulkheads being equipped with lifting points suitable therefor, the intermediate bulkheads being opened bulkheads having diagonal braces therewithin.",
    "2. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein the distance between the intermediate bulkheads is between 20′ and 40′.",
    "3. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein the distance between the intermediate bulkheads is between 33′ and 34′.",
    "4. The flat rack of claim 3, wherein the lifting points are positioned at each top corner of the intermediate bulkheads.",
    "5. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein the diagonal braces form a X shape.",
    "6. The flat rack of claim 5, wherein the X shape connects the four corners of the opened bulkhead.",
    "7. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein top ISO blocks are positioned at the top of each stanchion of the terminal bulkheads and the two intermediate bulkheads.",
    "8. The flat rack of claim 7, wherein bottom ISO blocks corresponding to the top ISO blocks are positioned at the bottom of the cargo platform.",
    "9. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein the cargo platform has a thickness of 12″.",
    "10. The flat rack claim 9, wherein the cargo platform is formed by five I-beams.",
    "11. The flat rack of claim 10, wherein the two most outer I-beams are ganged together to form two box beams.",
    "12. The flat rack of claim 10, wherein the box beams are connected by crossbeams to the fifth center beam.",
    "13. The flat rack claim 1, wherein the cargo platform is formed by five I-beams connected with at least two sets of diagonal stringers.",
    "14. The flat rack claim 1, wherein the cargo platform has a thickness of 12″ and is formed by at least three I-beams, the center beam being reduced in depth compared to the outer beams.",
    "15. The flat rack claim 1, wherein the cargo platform is closed with fiberglass grating.",
    "16. The flat rack of claim 15, wherein the fiberglass grating is clipped to a support rail of the cargo platform.",
    "17. The flat rack of claim 1, wherein the cargo platform is fitted with multiple securing winches.",
    "18. The flat rack of claim 17, wherein six securing winches are distributed on each side with corresponding securing loops on the opposite side.",
    "19. A flat rack comprising: a cargo platform for carrying a load, wherein the cargo platform is formed by at least three I-beams, the center beam being reduced in depth compared to the outer beams; terminal bulkheads for enclosing the cargo platform; and two intermediate bulkheads positioned between the terminal bulkheads at equal distance from the center of gravity of the flat rack, each of the intermediate bulkheads being equipped with lifting points suitable therefor.",
    "20. The flat rack of claim 19, wherein the center beam is reduced in depth to fit over a chassis for ground transportation.",
    "21. The flat rack of claim 20, wherein the center beam is reduced in depth along a channel formed at both ends of the cargo platform, thereby ensuring reversibility of the flat rack over the chassis.",
    "22. The flat rack of claim 21, wherein the distance between the intermediate bulkheads is between 33′ and 34′.",
    "23. The flat rack of claim 22, wherein the lifting points are positioned at each top corner of the intermediate bulkheads.",
    "24. The flat rack of claim 23, wherein the terminal bulkheads and the two intermediate bulkheads are opened bulkheads.",
    "25. The flat rack of claim 24, wherein the opened bulkheads have diagonal braces therewithin.",
    "26. The flat rack of claim 25, wherein the diagonal braces form a X shape.",
    "27. The flat rack of claim 26, wherein the X shape connects the four corners of the opened bulkhead.",
    "28. The flat rack of claim 21, wherein top ISO blocks are positioned at the top of each stanchion of the terminal bulkheads and the two intermediate bulkheads.",
    "29. The flat rack of claim 28, wherein bottom ISO blocks corresponding to the top ISO blocks are positioned at the bottom of the cargo platform.",
    "30. The flat rack of claim 21, wherein the cargo platform has a thickness of 12″.",
    "31. The flat rack claim 30, wherein the cargo platform is formed by five I-beams.",
    "32. The flat rack of claim 31, wherein the two most outer I-beams are ganged together to form two box beams.",
    "33. The flat rack of claim 32, wherein the box beams are connected by crossbeams to the fifth center beam.",
    "34. The flat rack claim 21, wherein the cargo platform is formed by five I-beams connected with at least two sets of diagonal stringers."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to transportation and, more specifically, to marine shipping and ground transportation.\n\nMarine transportation is the lowest contributor per ton to greenhouse gas emissions. Customers today are more conscious of the environment and may choose to include marine shipping in their plans rather than relying strictly on ground transportation in order to be more energy efficient and reduce the negative effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. Marine transportation also contributes to less road wear and tear and is proven to be a cheaper alternative to road transport.\n\nFor several years, attempts have been made to address challenges related to increasing vessels capacity and the needs of clients wishing to use a marine service to transport cargo that would traditionally be carried on flat bed road trailers. This cargo includes, among others, construction materials, recyclable materials (e.g., crushed cars), project cargo and other specialized freight, including cargo associated with the oil and mining industries. Generally, this cargo cannot be containerized, and therefore has historically been shipped via flat bed trailers.\n\nThe present invention addresses these challenges.\n\nA first aspect of the present invention is directed to a flat rack comprising, a cargo platform for carrying a load, terminal bulkheads for enclosing the cargo platform and two intermediate bulkheads positioned between the terminal bulkheads at equal distance from the center of gravity of the flat rack. Each of the intermediate bulkheads is equipped with lifting points suitable therefore.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65D 19/385",
    "B63B 25/00",
    "B63B 25/22",
    "B65D 19/0069",
    "B65D 2519/00273",
    "B65D 2519/00278",
    "B65D 2519/00965",
    "B65D 88/129",
    "Y02T 70/00",
    "Y02T 70/90"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 19/00",
    "B65D 19/38",
    "B63B 25/00",
    "B63B 25/22",
    "B65D 19/44",
    "B65D 88/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "OCEANEX Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Glenn Etchegary",
    "David Porter"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-12-12",
  "publication_date": "2017-02-21",
  "grant_date": "2017-02-21",
  "priority_date": "2012-12-12",
  "application_number": "US-201214650514-A",
  "family_id": "50933620",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US3386600A",
    "US3520256A",
    "WO1999059899A1",
    "WO2001010747A1",
    "US20080112779A1",
    "US20040126205A1",
    "US20110135424A1",
    "WO2004041679A1",
    "US7011479B2",
    "WO2005062903A2",
    "US20050216294A1",
    "US7674087B2",
    "WO2006005920A1",
    "US7769221B1",
    "US20060269379A1",
    "US20070000921A1",
    "WO2009064178A1",
    "WO2009153586A1",
    "US7927057B2",
    "US7874773B2",
    "CA2682416A1",
    "WO2011048427A2",
    "US8353647B2"
  ]
}