AU2014201016B2 - Retaining system for a bulkhead - Google Patents

Abstract

A retainer is provided for a bulkead comprising a panel and a plurality of support members that each have opposite ends. The retainer comprises a sleeve locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of support members, the sleeve 5 comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support member on the panel. A retaining system may comprise one or a plurality of retainers, wherein the plurality of retainers respectively secures and/or positions each end of the support members. Typically, the support members are steel purlins. $flL

Description

1 2014201016 26 Feb 2014

TITLE

RETAINING SYSTEM FOR A BULKHEAD TECHNICAL FIELD THIS INVENTION relates to bulkheads for containers used for grain storage and 5 transportion. More particularly, this invention relates to a retaining system for positioning and securing support members of the bulkhead.

BACKGROUND

Shipping, rail and other storage or transport containers for flowable, 10 particulate materials such as grain, typically comprise an internal storage space which may be accessed via one or more doors. In many cases, it is desirable to provide a bulkhead that at least partly closes the storage space to thereby hold the flowable, particulate material in the storage space and allow one or more of the container doors to be opened, such as when loading the grain into the container. 15 Generally, the bulkhead comprises a panel or sheet reinforced by support members that are fixed horizontally across the panel or sheet to enable the bulkhead to resist the considerable pressure exerted by the flowable, particulate material. Ideally, the bulkhead seals against the internal walls of the container to prevent leakage of the flowable, particulate material. 20 Typically, such bulkeads are temporary fixtures and it is particularly important that the bulkhead can be quickly and easily assembled and/or installed while providing optimal performance.

SUMMARY 25 The invention is broadly directed to a retainer for a bulkhead that facilitates assembly and/or installation of the bulkhead in a container, such as a grain container.

In one aspect, the invention provides a retainer for a bulkead comprising a panel and a plurality of support members that each have opposite ends, said retainer comprising a sleeve locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality 30 of support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support member on the panel.

In another aspect, the invention provides a retaining system for a bulkead comprising a panel and a plurality of support members that each have opposite ends, 2 2014201016 26 Feb 2014 said retaining system comprising at least one sleeve locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support member on the panel. 5 In yet another aspect, the invention provides a bulkead kit comprising a panel, a plurality of support members having opposite ends that can be positioned to support the panel and a retaining system comprising at least one sleeve locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage a 10 respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support member on the panel.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a bulkhead comprising a panel, a plurality of support members having opposite ends and a retaining system comprising a sleeve located about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of 15 support members, the sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support member on the panel.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling a bulkhead, said method including the steps of locating a sleeve about one of the 20 opposite ends of each of a plurality of support members and releasably engaging each of a plurality of retaining tabs of the sleeve with respective support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a container comprising the bulkhead of the aforementioned aspect or the bulkhead asembled by the method 25 according to the aforementioned aspect.

Suitably, in use the support members are positioned and/or secured to the panel in a substantially horizontal, parallel orientation.

In one embodiment of the aforementioned aspects, a single sleeve is provided which is securable to one of the opposite ends of the support members. According to 30 this embodiment, the other ends are secured by retaining tabs that are integrally formed in the panel. Suitably, the panel comprises a flap that comprises the retaining tabs, wherein the flap is foldable around the ends of the support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel. 3 2014201016 26 Feb 2014

In another embodiment of the aforementioned aspects, two separate sleeves are provided which are respectively securable to each of the opposite ends of the support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel. 5 Suitably, the support members are steel purlins. In a preferred embodiment, the steel purlins each comprise opposed longitudinal ribs that are capable of engaging a retaining tab to facilitate positioning and/or securing the steel purlin on the panel.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the 10 words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the following drawings wherein: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bulkhead mounted inside a grain container; FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a support member; 20 FIGS. 3A & 3B show front views of an embodiment of a panel with a flap and a single sleeve; FIGS. 4A & 4B show front and rear views of an embodiment of a bulkhead comprising a panel with a 11¾) and a single sleeve; FIG. 5A shows a sectional view of an embodiment of an end of a support 25 member engaged by a retaining tab; FIG 5B shows an embodiment of a retaining tab; and FIG. 5C shows an embodiment of a sleeve comprising paired retaining tabs; FIGS. 6A, B & C show front views of an embodiment of a panel without a flap and with first and second sleeves; and FIGS. 7A & B show front and rear views of an embodiment of a bulkhead 30 comprising a panel without a flap and with first and second sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, bulkhead 100 comprises panel 110, support members 120A-F and a retainer that comprises sleeve 130. Panel 110 comprises grain face 111 4 2014201016 26 Feb 2014 (not visible) which in use is contacted by grain in container storage space 220 and support face 112 on or against which support members 120A-E are positioned. Panel further comprises peripheral edges 113A, B, C and D. Container 200 comprises hinged doors 210A, B which allow access to storage space 220 defined by walls 5 221 A, B, C and D having interior surfaces 222A (not visible), B, C and D. When opened, hinged doors 210A, B create respective openings 211 A, B behind which is a door recess having tie down lugs (not shown).

In use bulkhead 100 is located inside container 200 to thereby retain grain or other flowable, particulate material in storage space 220, even while hinged doors 10 210A, B are open as in FIG. 1. Typically, gap 230 is provided to allow a hopper to load grain or other flowable, particulate material into storage space 220. It will also be appreciated that one or the other of hinged doors 210A, B may be closed, in which case bulkhead 100 is positioned within opening 211A or 21 IB, or alternatively bulkhead 100 may extend across the entire width of openings 211 A, B, while one 15 one or the other of hinged doors 210A, B is closed.

Referring to FIG. 2, support members 120A-E are steel purlins that are substantially C-shaped comprising base 121 which in use is mounted to support face 112 of panel 110 and opposed side walls 122, 123. Opposed side walls 122, 123 respectively comprise longitudinal ribs 124, 125 and rolled edges 128,129. 20 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, sleeve 130 comprises spine 131, tab panel 132 with retaining tabs 136A-E and fixing panel 133. Retaining tabs 136 A-E are capable of hinged movement to tuck under longitudinal ribs 124, 125 in opposed side walls 122, 123 at ends 127A-E of each support member 120 in the manner shown in FIG. 5A, to thereby assist securing support members 120A-F to 25 panel 110. Suitably, fixing panel 133 is stapled, nailed, glued, bolted or otherwise fixed to panel 110.

Panel 110 further comprises flap 114 folded along creases 115 A, B to thereby “wrap” around first ends 126 A-E of support members 120 A-E. Flap 114 further comprises retaining tabs 116A-E which are capable of hinged movement to tuck 30 under longitudinal ribs 124, 125 in opposed side walls 122, 123 of each support member 120 as previously shown in FIG. 5A, to thereby at least partly retain or secure support members 120A-E to panel 110 via flap 114.

In FIG 5B, retaining tab 136 is die cut into fixing panel 133 and has crease 137 and locking portion 138 having oblique edges 139A, B. An installer pushes 5 2014201016 26 Feb 2014 locking portion 138 of tab 136 under longitudinal ribs 124, 125 in opposed side walls 122, 123 of each support member 120. Crease 137 facilitates bending of locking portion 138 relative to remainder of retaining tab 136 so that locking portion 138 can sit in a different plane (i.e locked under longitudinal ribs 124, 125) compared to 5 remainder of tab 136. It will also be appreciated that the size of retaining tabs 136, the angles of oblique edges 139 A, B and the positioning of crease 137 may readily be modified to suit the dimensions and.or design of the support members 120 being used. It will also be understood that retaining tabs 116 in flap 114 are also of this construction. 10 In one embodiment, fixing panel 133 and/or flap 114 may comprise a plurality of retaining tabs 136 or retaining tabs 116 in excess of the number of support members 120 to be used. This enables an installer to use only a subset of retaining tabs 136 or retaining tabs 116, depending on how many support members 120 are required. Furthermore, an installer may choose to selectively position support 15 members 120 (/. e adopt an uneven spacing or distribution of support members 120) on panel 110. One particular example is to install more support members 120 toward the base of panel 110, as this portion of panel 110 may encounter more force from the grain load in container 200. It will therefore be appreciated that the retaining system allows an installer to readily change the spacing or distribution of one or 20 more of support members 120 after installation. FIG. 5C provides one particular example of this embodiment, wherein sleeve 130 comprises paired retaining tabs 136A1, A2, 136B1, B2, 136C1, C2, 136D1, D2 and 136E1, E2. The embodiment enables one or more of support members 120 to be moved once bulkhead 100 is fitted into the door recess. This avoids the need for cutting through wood or steel 25 support members 120 when bulkhead 100 is fitted around tie down lugs typically found in the door recess.

It will also be appreciated that sealing face 117 of flap 114 bears against and seals interior surface 222A of container wall 221A (see FIG. 1) to thereby prevent leakage of grain or other flowable, particular material. Furthermore, spine 131 of 30 sleeve 130 bears against and seals interior surface 222C of container wall 221C (see FIG, 1) to thereby prevent leakage of grain or other flowable, particular material. Pressure exerted by the grain or other flowable, particular material against bulkhead 100 assists this sealing function by slightly deforming flap 114 and sleeve 130, 6 2014201016 26 Feb 2014 pushing them radially outwardly into firm, sealing engagement with interior surfaces 222A,C of container walls 221 A, C, respectively.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, flap 114 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is absent. Instead, first sleeve 130A and second sleeve 130B are provided. 5 First and second sleeves 130A, B respectively comprise spine 131 A, B, fixing panel 133A, B, retaining tabs 136A-E in tab panel 132A and retaining tabs 137A-E in tab panel 132B. As previously described, retaining tabs 136A-E are capable of hinged movement to tuck under longitudinal ribs 124, 125 in opposed side walls 122, 123 of each support member 120 as was shown in FIG. 5, to thereby assist securing support 10 members 120A-E to panel 110. Suitably, fixing panels 133A, 133B are stapled, nailed, glued, bolted or otherwise fixed to panel 110.

It will also be appreciated that respective spines 131 A, B of sleeves 130A, B bear against and seals interior surfaces 222A, C of container walls 221A,C (see FIG. 1) to thereby prevent leakage of grain or other flowable, particular material as 15 previously described for flap 114 and sleeve 130.

Suitably, panel is 110 formed of a flexible material of sufficient strength, when reinforced with support members 120A-E, to prevent leakage of grain or other flowable, particulate material when assembled and positioned in container 200. Preferably, the panel is formed of cardboard. Similarly, sleeve 130 is formed of a 20 flexible material which may be the same or different material as panel 110.

In some embodiments, bulkhead 100 may be provided in kit form for assembly in situ. Typically the kit would comprise panel 100, a plurality of support members 120, and a single sleeve 130. In this embodiment, panel 100 comprises flap 114 with retaining tabs 136A-E provided in sleeve 130. Alternatively, the kit would 25 comprise panel 100, a plurality of support members 120, and first and second sleeves 130A, B. In this embodiment, flap 114 shown in FIGS 3 and 4 is absent.

While for purposes of non-limiting illustration there are five (5) support members 120 and five (5) retaining tabs 116, 126 or 136 on sleeve 130 or flap 114, the number of support members 120 and retaining tabs may readily be varied as 30 desired.

It is also contemplated that two or more sleeves 130 could be mounted to either or both ends 126, 127 of support members 120 to thereby secure support members 120 to panel 100. 2014201016 26 Feb 2014 7

The invention therefore provides a retaining system and bulkhead which is quickly and easily assembled and/or installed while providing optimal performance once installed.

The retaining system retains or secures the steel purlins into the correct 5 position on the panel, giving suitable strength and rigidity to withstand the force of the grain at the container door. The retaining system in conjunction with rolled edge purlins gives a superior lock in fit. By providing an excess of retaining tabs, or more specifically paired retaining tabs, the purlins can be moved once the bulkhead is fitted into the door recess of the container. This avoids the need for cutting through 10 wood or steel when the bulkhead is fitted around tie down lugs in the door recess

Furthermore, the retaining system is pushed into place by hand and can be assembled in minutes without the need for screws. There is no need for power tools and repetitive labour as is often required with prior art bulkheads. Prior art cardboard and steel bulkheads use screws to hold the cardboard to the steel or other metal 15 purlins. The screws may pull through the cardboard rendering the bulkhead useless.

Other advantages include much lighter weight and cost than solid wood support members cardboard bulkheads. Other cardboard bulkheads on the market utilise heat or chemically treated wood for structural rigidity, which is a cost disadvantage compared to using steel purlins. 20 Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope 25 of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. A retainer for a bulkead comprising a panel and a plurality of support members that each have opposite ends and an internally located longitudinal rib, said retainer comprising a sleeve separate to, and fixable to, the panel and locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage the internally located longitudinal rib of a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel, wherein the support members are steel purlins that are capable of engaging a retaining tab to facilitate positioning and/or securing the steel purlins on the panel

2. A retaining system for a bulkead comprising a panel and a plurality of support members that each have opposite ends and an internally located longitudinal rib, said retaining system comprising at least one sleeve separate to, and fixable to, the panel and locatable about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that can each releasably engage the internally located longitudinal rib of a respective support member to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel, wherein the support members are steel purlins that are capable of engaging a retaining tab to facilitate positioning and/or securing the steel purlins on the panel.

3. The retaining system of Claim 2, comprising a single sleeve which is locatable about one of the opposite ends of the support members.

4. The retaining system of Claim 3, wherein the other ends of the support members are secured by retaining tabs that are integrally formed in the panel.

5. The retaining system of Claim 4, wherein the panel comprises a flap which comprises the retaining tabs, wherein the flap is foldable around the ends of the support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel in combination with the sleeve.

6. The retaining system of Claim 2, which comprises two, separate sleeves which are respectively locatable about each of the opposite ends of the support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel.

7. A bulkead kit comprising a panel, a plurality of support members having opposite ends that can be positioned to support the panel and a retainer or retaining system according to any one of Claims 1-6.

8. A bulkhead comprising a panel, a plurality of steel purlin support members having opposite ends and at least one retainer or retaining system according to any one of Claims 1-7, wherein the or each sleeve is fixed to the panel and located about one of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of steel purlin support members, said sleeve comprising a plurality of retaining tabs that each releasably engage a respective steel purlin support member to thereby position and/or secure the steel purlin support members on the panel.

9. A method of assembling a bulkhead, said method including the steps of locating a sleeve about one of the opposite ends of each of a plurality of steel purlin support members, fixing the sleeve to the panel and releasably engaging each of a plurality of retaining tabs of the sleeve with internally located longitudinal ribs of respective said steel purlin support members to thereby position and/or secure the steel purlin support members on the panel.

10. The method of Claim 9, which includes locating another sleeve about the other of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of steel purlin support members and releasably engaging each of a plurality of retaining tabs of the sleeve with the respective support members to thereby position and/or secure the support members on the panel.

11. The method of Claim 10, which includes securing the other ends of the steel purlin support members with retaining tabs that are integrally formed in the panel.

12. The method of Claim 11, which includes folding a flap of the panel which comprises the retaining tabs around said other ends of the steel purlin support members to thereby position and/or secure the steel purlin support members on the panel in combination with the sleeve.

13. The method of any one of Claims 9-12, when used to assemble the kit of Claim 7.

14. A container comprising the bulkhead of Claim 8 or a bulkhead assembled by the method of any one of Claims 9-13.