Feddersen, Donald W. (Northbrook, IL)
Markowski, Everett L. (Morton Grove, IL)

04/876654

06/27/1972

11/14/1969

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Air Cargo Equipment Corporation (Tulsa, OK)

220/1.500

49/197, 220/812, 16/350, 220/668, 292/281

B65D88/14; B65D90/00; B65D88/00; B65D87/00

312/215,286,263,264,352,333 220/1.5,38,34,84 160/113,117,118,206,207,213 292/281 49/197,201,202 16/179

3221803	Hinged doors for wall-cupboards and the like	December 1965	Lambert
3240545	Knock down cabinet	March 1966	Rulf
3419164	Method and apparatus for handling aircraft passengers, baggage and freight	December 1968	O'Neill
2241884	Filing cabinet	May 1941	Noble
3386605	Three purpose container	June 1968	La Font
3405835	Aluminum knock-down collapsible container	October 1968	Eby
3406855	Containers for the transportation of liquid in bulk	October 1968	McKechnie
3456829	CONTAINER FRAME STRUCTURE	July 1969	Glassmeyer
3456830	FREIGHT CONTAINERS	July 1969	Golder
3561633	CONTAINER	February 1971	Morrison et al.

Leclair, Joseph R.

Garrett, James R.

What is claimed is

1. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, and a door panel shaped complementary to the opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

2. The door structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said door structure includes a pair of said door brackets pivotable about a common axis and respectively disposed adjacent to opposite edges of said door panel.

3. The door structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container, whereby said door panel is stowed above the top wall of the container when said door structure is in the stowed configuration thereof.

4. The door structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said door panel is spaced only a short distance from the adjacent wall of the container when said door structure is in the stowed position thereof, whereby the clearance required alongside the adjacent wall for stowing said door structure is only slightly greater than the thickness of said door panel.

5. The door structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said door panel includes a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel walls and a body of rigid cellular construction disposed therebetween and spacer structure extending therearound for providing a strong yet lightweight construction for said door panel.

6. The door structure set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said side walls has an upper portion extending generally parallel to the other of said side walls and a lower portion extending inwardly from said first portion toward the other of said side walls and said bottom wall.

7. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening and having a first track member thereon, and a door panel shaped complementary to the door-receiving opening and having a second track member thereon cooperating with said first track member for slidably mounting said door panel on said door bracket for sliding movement between an extended condition and a retracted condition, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

8. The door structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said first track member is substantially T-shaped in cross section, and said second track member comprises a channel shaped member complementary to said first track member, said first track member being disposed within said second track member for slidably mounting said door panel on said door bracket.

9. The door structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said door structure includes a pair of said door brackets pivotable about a common axis and respectively disposed adjacent to opposite edges of said door panel, and a pair of second track members on said door panel respectively disposed along the opposite edges thereof for cooperation with said pair of door brackets.

10. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening and having a first track member thereon, a door panel shaped complementary to the door-receiving opening and having a second track member thereon cooperating with said first track member for slidably mounting said door panel on said door bracket for sliding movement between an extended condition and a retracted condition, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, and an abutment flange carried by the adjacent one of the container walls and disposed adjacent to the opening and contacting said door bracket in the open position thereof for limiting the pivotal movement thereof in the opening direction, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

11. The door structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said door bracket includes a pivot member shaped complementary to said abutment flange and pivotally mounted adjacent thereto, said flange nesting within said pivot member when said door bracket is in the open position thereof.

12. The door structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container.

13. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening and having a first track member thereon, a door panel shaped complementary to the door-receiving opening and having a second track member thereon cooperating with said first track member for slidably mounting said door panel on said door bracket for sliding movement between an extended condition and a retracted condition, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to the top wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed above the top wall of the container substantially parallel thereto, an abutment flange substantially U-shaped in cross section and carried by the top wall adjacent to the opening and contacting said door bracket in the open position thereof for limiting the pivotal movement thereof in the opening direction, and a hook member carried by said door panel adjacent to said top wall and engageable in said abutment flange when said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof for supporting said door panel and limiting the sliding movement thereof in the extending direction, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure is supported by said abutment flange and completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed above the top wall of the container substantially parallel thereto.

14. The door structure set forth in claim 13, wherein said hook member is mounted along the upper edge of said door panel.

15. The door structure set forth in claim 13, wherein said hook member is attached to the upper edge of said door panel and extends inwardly therefrom toward the container, whereby said hook member overlaps said abutment flange for engagement therein when said door structure is in the closed position thereof.

16. The door structure set forth in claim 13, and further including a stop member carried by said second track member adjacent to the lower end thereof, said stop member engaging said first track member when said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof for limiting the sliding movement thereof in the retracting direction.

17. The door structure set forth in claim 13, wherein said hook member abuts against said door bracket when said door panel is in the extended condition thereof and said door bracket is out of the closed position thereof for limiting the sliding movement of said door panel in the extending direction.

18. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, a door panel shaped complementary to the opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto, a retaining member carried by said door panel and engageable with the container when said door structure is in the closed position thereof for preventing pivotal movement thereof, and resilient latch structure carried by said door panel and engageable with said container for holding said door panel in the extended condition thereof to hold said retaining member in engagement with the container, whereby said retaining member cooperates with said latch structure to hold said door structure in the closed position thereof.

19. The door structure set forth in claim 18, wherein said door structure includes a plurality of said retaining members carried by said door panel.

20. The door structure set forth in claim 18, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container, and said retaining member is disposed adjacent to the bottom edge of said door panel and is engageable with a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the container.

21. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, a door panel shaped complementary to the opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto, a retaining member carried by said door panel and engageable with the container when said door structure is in the closed position thereof for preventing pivotal movement thereof, keeper structure mounted on the container and extending through a complementary opening in said door panel when said door structure is in the closed position thereof to maintain said door panel in the extended condition thereof, and a latch mechanism resiliently mounted on the outer surface of said door panel and movable into and out of engagement with said keeper structure when said door structure is in the closed position thereof, whereby said retaining member cooperates with said keeper structure and said latch mechanism to lock said door structure in the closed position thereof, and whereby said door structure may be quickly and easily latched and unlatched by appropriate tensioning and untensioning of said resilient latch mounting means.

22. The door structure set forth in claim 21, wherein said keeper structure comprises a stud mounted on the container and extending outwardly therefrom.

23. The door structure set forth in claim 21, wherein said latch mechanism includes, an elastic mounting strap attached at one end thereof to said door panel, and a latch member attached to the other end of said mounting strap.

24. The door structure set forth in claim 21, wherein said keeper structure comprises a stud having an enlarged head at one end thereof and mounted at the other end thereof on said container, said latch mechanism including a latch member having a keyhole-shaped opening therein for receiving the head portion of said stud therethrough.

25. The door structure set forth in claim 21, wherein said door structure includes two keeper structures mounted on the container, and two latch mechanisms respectively cooperating with said keeper structures for locking said door panel in the extended condition thereof.

26. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, a first door panel shaped complementary to a portion of the door-receiving opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and retracted condition thereon, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said first door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said first door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, and a second door panel shaped complementary to the remaining portion of the door-receiving opening and hingedly connected to said first door panel and being pivotally movable between a first position substantially in alignment with said first door panel and a second position overlying said first door panel and substantially parallel thereto, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said first door panel is in the extended condition thereof and said second door panel is in the first position thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a folded stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said first door panel is in the retracted condition thereof and said second door panel is in the second position thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panels are stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

27. The door structure set forth in claim 26, wherein said door structure includes a pair of said door brackets pivotable about a common axis and respectively disposed adjacent to opposite edges of said first door panel.

28. The door structure set forth in claim 26, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container and said first door panel is disposed in the upper portion of the door-receiving opening and said second door panel is disposed in the lower portion of the door-receiving opening when said door structure is in the closed position thereof.

29. The door structure set forth in claim 26, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container, said first door panel being disposed in the upper portion of said door-receiving opening when said door structure is in the closed position thereof, and said first door panel being hingedly connected along the lower margin thereof to said second door panel.

30. The door structure set forth in claim 26, wherein said first door panel is disposed only a slight distance from the adjacent one of said container walls when said door structure is in the stowed position thereof, whereby the clearance required alongside the adjacent wall for stowing said folded door structure is slightly greater than the combined thicknesses of said panel.

31. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening and having a first track member thereon, a first door panel shaped complementary to a portion of the door-receiving opening and having a second track member thereon cooperating with said first track member for slidably mounting said first door panel on said door bracket for sliding movement between an extended condition and a retracted condition, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said first door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to the top wall of the container and an open position wherein said first door panel is disposed above the top wall of the container substantially parallel thereto, a flange substantially U-shaped in cross section and carried by the top wall adjacent to the opening and contacting said door bracket in the open position thereof for limiting the pivotal movement thereof in the opening direction, a hook member carried by said first door panel adjacent to the top wall and engageable in said flange when said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said first door panel is in the extended condition thereof for supporting said first door panel and limiting the sliding movement thereof in the extending direction, and a second door panel shaped complementary to the remaining portion of the door-receiving opening and hingedly connected to said first door panel and being pivotally movable between a first position substantially in alignment with said first door panel and a second position overlying said first door panel and substantially parallel thereto, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said first door panel is in the extended condition thereof and said second door panel is in the first position thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a folded stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said first door panel is in the retracted condition thereof and said second door panel is in the second position thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said door panels are stowed above the top wall of the container substantially parallel thereto and to each other.

32. In a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, a first door panel shaped complementary to a portion of the door-receiving opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and retracted condition thereon, said door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein said first door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein said first door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, a second door panel shaped complementary to the remaining portion of the door-receiving opening and hingedly connected to said first door panel and being pivotally movable between a first position substantially in alignment with said first door panel and a second position overlying said first door panel and substantially parallel thereto, said door structure having a closed position wherein said door bracket is in the closed position thereof and said first door panel is in the extended condition thereof and said second door panel is in the first position thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, said door structure having a folded stowed position wherein said door bracket is in the open position thereof and said first door panel is in the retracted condition thereof and said second door panel is in the second position thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and said panels are stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto, a retaining member carried by said second door panel and engageable with the container when said door structure is in the closed position thereof for preventing pivotal movement thereof, keeper structure mounted on the container and extending through a complementary opening in the hinged connection between said first and second door panels when said door structure is in the closed position thereof for preventing sliding movement of said first door panel, and a latch mechanism resiliently mounted on the outer surface of one of said door panels and movable into and out of engagement with said keeper structure when said door structure is in the closed position thereof for holding said door structure in engagement with said keeper structure, whereby said retaining member cooperates with said keeper structure and said latch mechanism to hold said door structure in the closed position thereof.

33. The door structure set forth in claim 32, wherein said door bracket is mounted on the top wall of the container, said first door panel being disposed in the upper portion of the door-receiving opening and said second door panel being disposed in the lower portion of the door-receiving opening when said door structure is in the closed position thereof, said retaining member being disposed adjacent to the lower edge of said second door panel and engageable with a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the container.

34. The door structure set forth in claim 32, wherein said latch mechanism is mounted on said first door panel.

35. A container comprising a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a pair of door-receiving openings at the opposite ends of the container, two door structures for respectively closing the door-receiving openings, each of said door structures including a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, and a door panel shaped complementary to the opening and slidably mounted on said door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, each of said door brackets being movable between a closed position wherein the associated door panel is disposed within the adjacent door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein the associated door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, each of said door structures having a closed position wherein the associated door bracket is in the closed position thereof and the associated door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby said door structure completely closes the adjacent door-receiving opening, each of said door structures having a stowed position wherein the associated door bracket is in the open position thereof and the associated door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby said door structure is completely removed from the adjacent door-receiving opening and said associated door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

36. A container comprising a generally rectangular base panel including a generally rectangular body of lightweight material having a rigid frame extending substantially around the periphery thereof and secured thereto, two elongated base-connecting frame members each respectively disposed adjacent to opposed sides of said base panel and secured to said base panel frame, two side panels of lightweight material, the margins of said side panels disposed toward said base panel being spaced therefrom and respectively secured to said base-connecting frame members, four elongated corner-connecting frame members respectively disposed adjacent to the generally upstanding margins of said side panels and secured thereto, a generally rectangular top panel of lightweight material, opposed margins of said top panel being disposed toward the adjacent margins of said side panels and spaced therefrom, two elongated side-top connecting frame members respectively disposed between the adjacent margins of said side panels and said top panel and respectively secured thereto, two elongated end-top connecting frame members respectively disposed along the front and rear margins of said top panel and secured thereto, the front and rear portions of said base panel frame and the associated ones of said corner connecting frame members, said end-top connecting frame members cooperating to provide openings into said container at the two ends thereof, and a door structure mounted on one of said panels and pivotable and slidable with respect thereto between a closed position wherein said door completely closes one of said openings and an open position wherein said door structure is removed from said opening and stowed parallel to the exterior surface of one of said panels by pivoting and sliding said door structure with respect to the one of said panels.

37. The container set forth in claim 36, and further comprising a second door structure pivotally mounted on the container and respectively disposed in the other of said openings and shaped complementary thereto and being movable between a closed position completely closing the associated opening and a stowed position completely removed from the associated opening and disposed adjacent to one of said walls substantially parallel thereto.

38. The container set forth in claim 36, wherein one of said side panels includes an upper portion extending generally parallel to the other of said side panels and a lower portion extending from the lower end of said upper portion toward said other side panel and toward said base panel.

This invention is directed to a container for use in an airplane, the container being constructed to be lightweight and compact, yet durable.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide in a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a door-receiving opening, a door structure comprising a door bracket pivotally mounted on the container adjacent to the door-receiving opening, and a door panel shaped complementary to the opening and slidably mounted on the door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, the door bracket being movable between a closed position wherein the door panel is disposed within the door-receiving opening and substantially normal to an adjacent wall of the container and an open position wherein the door panel is disposed outside of the container and substantially parallel to the adjacent wall thereof, the door structure having a closed position wherein the door bracket is in the closed position thereof and the door panel is in the extended condition thereof whereby the door structure completely closes the door-receiving opening, the door structure having a stowed position wherein the door bracket is in the open position thereof and the door panel is in the retracted condition thereof whereby the door structure is completely removed from the door-receiving opening and the door panel is stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

In connection with the foregoing object, yet another object of this invention is to provide a door structure of the type set forth wherein the door bracket has a first track member thereon and the door panel has a second track member thereon cooperating with the first track member for slidably mounting the door panel on the door bracket.

In connection with the foregoing object, still another object of this invention is to provide a door structure of the type set forth and further including an abutment flange carried by the adjacent one of the container walls and disposed adjacent to the opening and contacting the door bracket in the open position thereon for limiting the pivotal movement thereof in the opening direction.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is yet another object of this invention to provide a door structure of the type set forth which includes a hook member carried by the door panel adjacent to the top wall and engageable in the flange when the door bracket is in the closed position thereof and the door panel is in the extended condition thereof for supporting the door panel and limiting the sliding movement thereof in the extending direction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a door structure of the type set forth which further includes a retaining member carried by the door panel and engageable with the container when the door structure is in the closed position thereof for preventing pivotal movement thereof, and resilient latch structure carried by the door panel and engageable with the container for holding the door panel in the extended condition thereof to hold the retaining member in engagement with the container, whereby the retaining member cooperates with the latch structure to hold the door structure in the closed position thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of this invention is to provide a door structure of the type set forth including a keeper structure mounted on the container and extending through a complementary opening in the door panel when the door structure is in the closed position thereof to maintain the door panel in the extended condition thereof, and a latch mechanism resiliently mounted on the outer surface of the door panel and movable into and out of engagement with the keeper structure when the door structure is in a closed position thereof.

In connection with the foregoing objects, it is a further object of this invention to provide a door structure of the type set forth which includes a first door panel shaped complementary to a portion of the door-receiving opening and slidably mounted on the door bracket and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition thereon, and a second door panel shaped complementary to the remaining portion of the door-receiving opening and hingedly connected to the first door panel and being pivotally movable between a first position substantially in alignment with the first door panel and a second position overlying the first door panel and substantially parallel thereto, the second door panel being in the second position thereof when the door structure is in the stowed position thereof whereby the door panels are stowed alongside the adjacent one of the container walls substantially parallel thereto.

It is another object of this invention to provide a container comprising a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define an opening into the container, a plurality of shelf support members mounted on the container and each disposed substantially normal to one of the walls and each having a plurality of aligned spaced apertures therein, a shelf insertable into the container in a predetermined direction through the opening therein and having a mounted position substantially parallel to the one wall with an edge of the shelf disposed toward the opening, a fixed pin carried by the shelf on another edge thereof and disposed in use adjacent to one of the support members and insertable into a selected one of the apertures therein, a movable pin carried by the shelf on an edge other than the another edge and disposed in use adjacent to another of the support members and movable into a selected one of the apertures therein, the movable pin having a retracted position wherein it is disposed out of the apertures of the adjacent support member and an extended position wherein it is disposed in one of the apertures therein, the fixed pin and the movable pin in the extended position thereof having the longitudinal axes thereof angularly disposed with respect to each other, the shelf with the movable pin in the retracted position thereof being insertable into the container in the predetermined direction through the opening to insert the fixed pin into the selected one of the apertures in the associated support member to place the shelf in the mounted position thereof, the movable pin thereafter being movable from the retracted position thereof into the extended position thereof and into the one aperture in the associated member fixedly to lock the shelf in the mounted position thereof upon the support members within the container.

In connection with the foregoing object, still another object of this invention is to provide a container of the type set forth having a substantially rectangular top wall and including at least four shelf support members respectively disposed adjacent to the edges of the top wall, the shelf including a movable pin carried by the shelf on the front edge thereof and disposed in use adjacent to an associated one of the support members and movable into a selected one of the apertures therein and at least three fixed pins respectively carried by the shelf on the other edges thereof and respectively disposed in use adjacent to associated ones of the support members and respectively insertable into selected ones of the apertures therein.

In connection with the foregoing object, a still further object of this invention is to provide a shelf of the type set forth adapted for use in a container of the type set forth.

It is another object of this invention to provide in a container having a top wall and a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls all cooperating to define a pair of door-receiving openings at the opposite ends of the container, two door structures of the type set forth for respectively closing the door-receiving openings.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container comprising a generally rectangular base panel including a generally rectangular body of lightweight material having a rigid frame extending substantially around the periphery thereof and secured thereto, two elongated base-connecting frame members respectively disposed adjacent to opposed sides of the base panel and secured to the base panel frame, two side panels of lightweight material, the margins of the side panels disposed toward the base panel being spaced therefrom and respectively secured to the base-connecting frame members, four elongated corner-connecting frame members respectively disposed adjacent to the generally upstanding margins of the side panels and secured thereto, a generally rectangular top panel of lightweight material, opposed margins of the top panel being disposed toward the adjacent margins of the side panels and spaced therefrom, two elongated side-top connecting frame members respectively disposed between the adjacent margins of the side panels and the top panel and respectively secured thereto, two elongated end-top connecting frame members respectively disposed along the front and rear margins of the top panel and secured thereto, the front and rear portions of the base panel frame and the associated ones of the corner connecting frame members and the end-top connecting frame members cooperating to provide openings into the container at the two ends thereof.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood with reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention with the door structure shown in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the container as shown in FIG. 1 with one of the door structures in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the container as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the right-hand or inboard side of the container shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented sectional view of an airplane fuselage showing two cargo containers according to the present invention in place in the cargo compartment;

FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views of the container according to the present invention, respectively showing the several stages in moving the door structures from the closed position to the folded stowed position thereof;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front elevational view of the cargo container shown in FIG. 1 with the front door structure in the stowed position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the stowed door structure taken along the line 11--11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the stowed door structure taken along the line 12--12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in partial section of the top wall front end frame member taken along the line 13--13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the door structure partially broken away to show the interior of the container;

FIG. 15 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in partial section taken along the line 15--15 in FIG. 14 and showing the door bracket assembly;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view in partial section of the door bracket of FIG. 15 shown in the open position thereof;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the door structure track members taken along the line 17--17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the door bracket assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the door bracket assembly of FIG. 18 as viewed from the right-hand side thereof;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the door panel slide channel taken along the line 20--20 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper door panel hook member taken along the line 21--21 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower door panel closeout spacer taken along the line 22--22 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary view in partial section of the door latch structure taken along the line 23--23 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view of the door panel hinge taken along the line 24--24 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the auxiliary frame members showing the door latch keeper stud;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a shelf for use in the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the shelf designated by the numeral 27 in FIG. 26, with part of the shelf top wall broken away to show one of the movable mounting pin assemblies;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary view in partial section taken along the line 28--28 in FIG. 27 and showing one of the fixed shelf mounting pins;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shelf spacer structure taken along the line 29--29 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the movable shelf mounting pin assemblies taken along the line 30--30 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shelf front edge closure member taken along the line 31--31 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the top wall of the container designated by the numeral 32 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary sectional view of the top wall of the container taken along the line 33--33 in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary sectional view of the union of the top and corner frame members taken along the line 34--34 in FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary view in partial section taken along the line 35--35 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the outboard side-base frame connecting member taken along the line 36--36 in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the inboard side-base connecting frame member taken along the line 37--37 in FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the outboard side-base connecting frame member and a portion of the outboard front corner frame member taken along the line 38--38 in FIG. 35;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bottom wall front closure member taken along the line 39--39 in FIG. 35.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 5 thereof, there is illustrated a cargo container 50 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The cargo container 50 is adapted for use in an aircraft, generally designated by the numeral 60, which has the usual parts such as a fuselage 61 and wings 62, with a longitudinally-extending upper deck 63 disposed slightly below the midline of the aircraft 60 thus to define a passenger compartment 64 in the space above the deck 63. Spaced well below the deck 63 and extending substantially parallel thereto is a lower deck 66 cooperating with the upper deck 63 and the fuselage 61 to define a cargo and/or baggage compartment 65 between the decks 63 and 66. In use, there will preferably be provided two rows of cargo containers 50 (or baggage containers, as the case may be) in side-by-side relationship and disposed along the length of the fuselage 61. As will be understood more fully hereinafter, a portion of one side wall in each of the containers 50 is slanted to more nearly conform to the outline of the fuselage 61 so that as much of the cargo compartment 65 as possible may be utilized.

The cargo container 50 according to this invention comprises a generally box-like structure including a substantially rectangular bottom panel 100, a substantially rectangular top panel 180 disposed parallel to the bottom panel 100, and two opposed upstanding side panels 120 and 150 all cooperating to define a pair of door-receiving openings into the container 50 at the front and rear ends thereof. Each of these openings is closed by a foldable overhead door structure 200 for completely closing the container 50. One or more shelves 300 may be mounted within the container 50 parallel to the bottom panel 100. Throughout this specification, in describing the orientation of the various parts of the container 50, the right-hand side as viewed in FIG. 10 will be referred to as the inboard side, the left-hand side as viewed in FIG. 10 will be referred to as the outboard side, the closed end as viewed in FIG. 10 will be referred to as the rear end, and the open end as viewed in FIG. 10 will be referred to as the front end, this terminology relating to the orientation of the container 50 with respect to the airplane 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 35 to 39, the details of construction of the cargo container 50 will be described. The cargo container 50 comprises a base panel, generally designated by the numeral 100, including a pair of spaced-apart substantially rectangular sheet metal walls 101 and 102 extending generally parallel to each other. Disposed between the walls 101 and 102 is a filler 103 in the form of a body of rigid cellular construction, preferably formed of aluminum having a honeycomb structure, the filler 103 being secured to the walls 101 and 102 by means of a sheet of epoxy. Disposed between the metal walls 101 and 102 at the margins thereof and extending around the periphery of the filler 103 is a rigid frame or spacer structure, generally designated by the numeral 105, in the form of an elongated channel having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a bight 106 carrying a pair of flanges 107, with the bight 106 disposed inwardly of the base panel 100 and abutting against the filler 103. Preferably, for the sake of minimizing its weight and maximizing its strength and simplifying its manufacture, the spacer structure 105 is formed of an aluminum extrusion. The spacer structure 105 lends rigidity to the base panel 100 and, in addition, provides a means for attaching the base panel 100 to other parts of the cargo container 50 as will be described more fully hereinafter. Disposed around the margin of the base panel 100 and extending through the walls 101 and 102 thereof and through the flanges 107 of the spacer structure 105 is a plurality of holes through which suitable fastening means such as screws and bolts may be passed for use in connecting other parts of the cargo container 50 to the base panel 100. While the opposite side edges of the base panel 100 are substantially parallel along most of their length, they converge slightly at the front and rear ends thereof as at 104. Similarly, the front and rear edges of the base panel 100 are parallel along most of their length, but converge slightly at the inboard and outboard ends thereof to meet the adjacent converging side edges. Thus, the corners of the base panel form obtuse internal angles rather than right angles as indicated for example, in FIG. 3.

There are provided along the front and rear edges of the base panel 100, base closure members, generally designated by the numeral 110, and also preferably formed of aluminum extrusions. The front and rear closure members 110 are identical in construction and, therefore, only one will be described. Referring to FIG. 39 of the drawings, the closure member 110 comprises an elongated hollow tubular member conforming in contour to the adjacent base panel edge and including a body portion 112, substantially rectangular in cross section. Extending outwardly from one wall of the body portion 112 is a pair of attachment flanges 114. In use, the attachment flanges 114 are inserted between the flanges 107 of the adjacent spacer structure 105 so that the body portion 112 of the closure member abuts against the base panel walls 101 and 102. The attachment flanges 114 are provided with a plurality of openings therethrough aligned with the openings in the adjacent margin of the base panel 100, whereby the closure member 110 may be securely fastened to the base panel 100 by means of suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts 108. Respectively attached to the opposite ends of each of the closure members 110 are a pair of base corner closure members 115, each comprising a hollow, substantially pie-shaped member adapted to fit snugly against an adjacent end of the associated closure member 110 and each having a pair of attachment flanges 117 insertable into the body portion 112 of the associated closure member 110 for attachment thereto by means of suitable fasteners. It will be noted that the base panel walls 101 and 102, the filler 103, the spacers 105, and the closure members 110 and 115 are all permanently secured together to form a single base panel unit.

The outboard side panel 120 comprises a flat substantially rectangular sheet-metal wall 121 bent to form an upwardly and outwardly slanted bottom portion 122 and a substantially vertical upstanding top portion 123. There is preferably provided along the crease between the lower portion 122 and the upper portion 123 a sheet metal bumper strip 124 which is preferably riveted to the outer surface of the side panel 121. Disposed along the inner surface of the sheet-metal wall 121 is a plurality of generally upstanding stiffening frame members or ribs 125, each extending substantially the entire length of the sheet-metal wall 121 and bent to conform to the contour thereof. Each of the stiffening ribs 125 comprises a tubular body portion 126 substantially rectangular in cross section and an attachment flange 127 extending outwardly from the body portion 126 in alignment with one wall thereof and integral therewith. The stiffening ribs 125 are secured to the sheet-metal wall 121 by means of a plurality of rivets 128 which are passed through complementary openings in the sheet-metal wall 121 and the attachment flanges 127. The forward walls of the tubular body portions 126 are each provided with a plurality of vertically aligned and spaced-apart holes 129, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Respectively disposed along the front and rear edges of the side panel wall 121 are a pair of elongated, substantially upstanding corner frame members 130, each of the frame members 130 extending the entire length of the side panel wall 121 and bent to conform to the contour thereof. The corner frame members 130 are substantially mirror images of each other and only the front one will be described. The frame member 130 includes a tubular body portion 131 substantially rectangular in cross section and having an outboard side wall 131a and an inboard side wall 131b. Integral with the body portion 131 and extending outwardly therefrom in alignment with the outboard side wall 131a thereof is a door-receiving flange 132, and integral with and extending from the rear wall of the body portion 131 substantially normal thereto and toward the opposite end of the container is an attachment flange 133, each of the flanges 132 and 133 extending the entire length of the corner frame member 130. There is preferably also provided an abutment flange 132a substantially L-shaped in cross section and extending forwardly of the body portion 131 and outwardly toward the door-receiving flange 132. The attachment flange 133 is offset inwardly of the body portion 131 a short distance substantially equal to the thickness of the side panel wall 121, the adjacent margin of the side panel wall 121 overlying the attachment flange 133 and abutting against the body portion 131 of the corner frame member 130, the outer surface of the side panel wall 121 being flush with the outer surface of the outboard side wall 131a of the body portion 131. The attachment flange 133 is secured to the overlying margin of the side panel wall 121 by aligned, vertically spaced openings therethrough for receiving suitable fastening means, such as rivets, to attach the corner frame member 130 to the side panel wall 121. The upper edge of the outer side wall 131a of the corner frame member 130 carries a substantially U-shaped notch 137a therein adjacent to the door-receiving flange 132 for a purpose which will be described hereinafter. Each of the corner frame members 130 is provided with a plurality of vertically aligned spaced-apart openings 139 in the body portion 131 thereof, the rear one of the corner frame members 130 having the openings 139 provided in the front wall of the body portion 131 and the forward one of the corner frame members 130 having the openings 139 provided in the inboard side wall 131b thereof, all for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

Attached to the bottom end of each of the corner frame members 130 is a substantially U-shaped attachment bracket 135 having a bight 136 carrying a pair of upstanding flanges 137. The flanges 137 are disposed within the lower end of the adjacent body portion 131 of the corner frame member 130 and are respectively fastened to the front and rear walls thereof by means of rivets 138.

A side-base connecting frame member, generally designated by the numeral 140, is provided along the bottom edge of the outboard side panel 120. The side-base connecting frame member 140 comprises an elongated tubular body portion 142 substantially rectangular in cross section and having a pair of attachment flanges 144 extending outwardly from one wall thereof substantially normal thereto. Integral with the body portion 142 and extending vertical upwardly therefrom is an upstanding flange 146 carrying at the upper end thereof an outwardly and upwardly inclined attachment flange 148. The attachment flange 148 overlies the bottom margin of the side panel wall 121 and is secured thereto by a plurality of rivets 149, alternate ones of the rivets 149 preferably being aligned with the stiffening ribs 125 and extending therethrough for securely fastening the stiffening ribs 125, the side panel wall 121 and the side-base connecting frame member 140 together as a single structural unit. The opposite ends of the side-base connecting frame member 140 extend outwardly beyond the adjacent margins of the side panel wall 121, whereby the attachment flange 148 overlies bottom ends of the outer side walls 131a of the corner frame members 130 and is secured thereto by means of rivets.

In use, the attachment flanges 144 of the side-base connecting frame member 140 are inserted between the flanges 107 of the adjacent base panel spacer 105 so that the outer edges of the flanges 107 and of the base panel walls 101 and 102 abut against the body portion 142 of the side-base connecting frame member 140. A plurality of screws 108 are disposed through complementary openings in the base panel walls 101 and 102, the spacer flanges 107 and the attachment flanges 144 for securely fastening the side-base connecting frame member 140 to the adjacent edge of the base panel 100. The screws 108 are preferably arranged in groups of three, with the center screw of each group of three extending downwardly through the top wall 101 of the base panel 100 and the other screws (not shown) of each group of three extending upwardly through the bottom wall 102 of the base panel 100, the latter screws perferably being of the flathead counter-sunk variety so as to present a smooth flush surface along the bottom of the base panel 100. The screws 108 are preferably engaged in corresponding nuts 145 which are permanently attached to the inner surfaces of the attachment flanges 144 of the side-base connecting frame member 140. The U-shaped attachment bracket 135 is disposed closely adjacent to the inner surface of the upstanding flange 146 of the side-base connecting frame member 140, with the bight 136 disposed upon and parallel to the adjacent margin of the base panel wall 101. Suitable fasteners such as bolts 108a are disposed in complementary openings in the bight 136, the base panel wall 101, the spacer flange 107 and the attachment flange 144 and are engaged with nuts 145 attached to the inner surface of the attachment flange 144 for securely joining together the attachment bracket 135, the base panel 100 and the side-base connecting frame member 140.

The inboard side panel, generally designated by the numeral 150, comprises a flat upstanding substantially rectangular sheet-metal wall 151 disposed substantially parallel to the upper portion 123 of the outboard side panel wall 121. Disposed along the inner surface of the sheet-metal wall 151 is a plurality of elongated upstanding stiffening frame members or ribs 155, each extending substantially the entire length of the sheet-metal wall 151. Each of the stiffening ribs 155 comprises a tubular body portion 156 substantially rectangular in cross section and an attachment flange 157 extending outwardly from the body portion 156 in alignment with one wall thereof and integral therewith. The stiffening frame members 155 are secured to the sheet-metal wall 151 by means of a plurality of rivets 158 which are passed through complementary openings in the sheet-metal wall 151 and the attachment flanges 157. The forward walls of the tubular body portions 156 are each provided with a plurality of vertically aligned and spaced-apart holes 159, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Respectively disposed along the front and rear margins of the side panel wall 151 are a pair of elongated upstanding corner frame members 160, each of the corner frame members 160 extending the entire length of the side panel wall 151. The corner frame members 160 are mirror images of each other and only the front one will be described. The corner frame member 160 comprises a tubular body portion 161 quadrangular in cross section with an inboard side wall 161a disposed substantially parallel to the adjacent angled corner edges 104 of the base panel 100 and an outboard side wall 161b substantially parallel to the side panel wall 151. Integral with the inboard wall 161a of the body portion 161 and extending outwardly therefrom in alignment therewith is a door-receiving flange 162, and integral with and extending outwardly from the rear wall of the body portion 161 substantially parallel to the outboard side wall 161b thereof is an attachment flange 163, each of the flanges 162 and 163 extending vertically the entire length of the corner frame member 160. There is also preferably provided an abutment flange 162a, substantially L-shaped in cross section, and similar in structure to the abutment flange 132a on the corner frame member 130 and disposed as indicated in FIG. 27. The attachment flange 163 is offset inwardly of the inboard side wall 161a a short distance substantially equal to the thickness of the side panel wall 151, the adjacent margin of the side panel wall 151 overlying the attachment flange 163 and abutting against the inboard side wall 161a of the corner frame member 160, the outer surface of the side panel wall 151 being flush with the outer surface of the wall 161a of the corner frame member 160. The attachment flanges 163 and the overlying margins of the side panel wall 151 have a plurality of aligned, vertically spaced openings therethrough for receiving suitable fastening means, preferably rivets, to attach the corner frame members 160 to the side panel wall 151. The upper edge of the inboard side wall 161a of the corner frame member 160 carries a substantially U-shaped notch 167a therein adjacent to the door-receiving flange 162 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Each of the corner frame members 160 is provided with a plurality of vertically aligned spaced-apart openings 169 in the body portion 161 thereof, the rear one of the corner frame members 160 having the openings 169 provided in the front wall of the body portion 161, and the forward one of the corner frame members 160 having the openings 169 provided in the outboard side wall 161b of the body portion 161, all for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. The lower ends of the body portions 161 of each of the corner frame members 160 has the inboard side wall 161a thereof cut away to form a recess or shoulder 166, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

A side-base connecting frame member, generally designated by the numeral 170, is provided along the bottom edge of the inboard side panel 150, the side-base connecting frame member 170 comprising an elongated tubular body portion 172 substantially rectangular in cross section and having a pair of attachment flanges 174 extending outwardly from one wall thereof substantially normal thereto. Integral with the body portion 172 and extending vertically upwardly therefrom is an upstanding flange 176 carrying at the upper end thereof a support flange 177 extending outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto. Integral with the outer end of the support flange 177 and extending upwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto is an attachment flange 179. The side-base connecting frame member 170 is disposed in use directly beneath the bottom edge of the side panel 150, with the bottom edges of the side panel wall 151 and the stiffening frame members 155 resting upon the support flange 177 and with the shoulder portions 166 of the corner frame members 160 seated upon the support flange 177 and against the upstanding flange 176. In this position, the attachment flange 178 overlies the outer surface of the bottom margin of the side panel wall 151 and is secured thereto by a plurality of rivets 179 which are passed through complementary aligned openings in the attachment flange 178, alternate ones of the rivets 179 preferably being aligned with the stiffening ribs 155 and extending therethrough for securely fastening the side panel wall 151 and the stiffening ribs 155 and the corner frame members together as a single structural unit.

In use, the attachment flanges 174 on the side-base connecting frame member 170 are inserted between the flanges 107 of the adjacent base panel spacer 105 so that the outer edges of the flanges 107 and the base panel walls 101 and 102 abut against the body portion 172 of the side-base connecting frame member 170 to form flush surfaces therewith. A plurality of screws 108 are disposed through complementary openings in the base panel walls 101 and 102, the spacer flanges 107 and the attachment flanges 174 for securely fastening the side-base connecting frame member 170 to the adjacent edges of the base panel 100. The screws 108 are preferably arranged in groups of three in the same manner as described with respect to the side-base connecting frame member 140, above, and are similarly engaged in corresponding nuts as described above.

The body portions 142 and 172 of the side-base connecting frame members 140 and 170 respectively each have the opposite ends thereof abutting against the adjacent corner closure members 115 and cooperate therewith and with the closure members 110 to form a continuous tubular bumper strip extending around the periphery of the base panel 100 to protect the base panel 100 and to assist in mounting the cargo container 50 in an aircraft as will be described more fully hereinafter. The outer surfaces of the closure members 110 and 115 and body portions 142 and 172 of the side-base connecting frame members 140 and 170 are all substantially identical in cross section so as to present a continuous flush outer surface for the bumper strip around the base panel 100.

Respectively disposed along the upper margins of the side panels 120 and 150 are a pair of side-top right-angle frame members 165 each comprising a pair of legs 165a and 165b, the leg 165a being longer than the leg 165b and extending a short distance beyond the opposite ends thereof. In use, the leg 165a is attached to the upper margin of the adjacent side panel wall along the outer surface thereof by a plurality of horizontally aligned rivets 168, with the leg 165b disposed a short distance above the upper edge of the adjacent side panel wall and extending inwardly thereof.

The side-top right-angle frame members 165 extend substantially the entire length of the side panel walls 121 and 151 between the associated corner frame members 130 or 160, with the ends of the legs 165a abutting against the body portions 131 or 161 of the associated corner frame members and with the ends of the legs 165b respectively abutting against the inner ends of the attachment flanges 133 or 163 of the corner frame members.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 32 to 34 of the drawings, the top panel 180 of the container 50 will be described hereinafter. The top panel 180 comprises a flat substantially rectangular sheet-metal wall 181 disposed substantially parallel to the bottom panel 100. The opposite side margins of the top panel wall 181 respectively overlie the flanges 165b of the angle frame members 165 and are respectively spaced therefrom by a pair of flat, elongated edge bars 182. The top panel wall 181 is securely fastened to the angle frame members 165 by a plurality of fastening means 183 which extend through complementary aligned openings through the margins of the top panel wall 181, the edge bars 182 and the angle frame member flanges 165b. Preferably, the fastening means 183 may comprise screws or bolts engageable with nuts on the inner surface of the angle member flanges 165b. A plurality of elongated stiffening frame members 185 are provided along the inner surface of the top panel wall 181, the stiffening frame members 185 extending substantially parallel to the side panels 120 and 150 from the front edge to the rear edge of the top panel wall 181. Each of the stiffening frame members 185 comprises an elongated channel, the cross section of which includes a U-shaped central portion 186, a pair of side flanges 187 respectively extending outwardly from the sides of the U-shaped portion 186 and respectively carrying at the outer edges thereof a pair of upturned flanges 188, the stiffening frame members 185 being disposed in use with the bight of the U-shaped portion 186 abutting against the inner surface of the top panel wall 181 and secured thereto by rivets 189.

Respectively disposed along the front and rear edges of the top panel wall 181 are a pair of end-top frame members, generally designated by the numeral 190, and each extending the entire length of the top panel wall 181 from the side panel wall 121 to the side panel wall 151. Each of the end-top frame members 190 comprises an elongated tubular body portion 191 substantially rectangular in cross section. Integral with the body portion 191 and extending outwardly from the rear wall thereof substantially normal thereto is an attachment flange 193. The adjacent margin of the top panel wall 181 overlaps the attachment flange 193 with the edge of the top panel wall 181 abutting against the body portion 191 and with the outer surface of the top panel wall 181 being flush with the top outer surface 192 of the body portion 191. The top panel wall 181 is preferably secured to the attachment flanges 193 by a plurality of rivets 194. The top front corner of the body portion 191 is provided with a substantially U-shaped abutment flange 195, with the bight of the "U" being integral with the upper edge of the forward wall of the body portion 191, one flange of the "U" extending upwardly toward and being integral with the top wall 192 of the body portion 191 and the other flange of the "U" extending upwardly and outwardly beyond the front wall of the body portion 191. The end-top frame member 190 is disposed in use above the upper ends of the adjacent corner frame members 130 and 160. Referring to FIG. 34 of the drawing, the upper end of the inner portion of the corner frame member 131 is cut away, whereby the outer side wall 131a extends upwardly beyond the inner side wall 131b. Similarly, the bottom wall of the body portion 191 of the end-top frame 190 is cut away at the opposite ends thereof whereby the top wall of the body portion 191 extends outwardly a slight distance beyond the ends of the bottom wall of the body portion 191. Thus, the frame member 190 may be disposed atop the corner frame member 130 with the bottom wall of the body portion 191 resting on the upper edge of the inner side wall 131b and with the end of the top wall of body portion 191 resting upon the upper edge of the outer side wall 131a. In this position, the opposite ends of the U-shaped flange 195 will respectively rest in the notches 137a and 167a in the corner frame members 130 and 160. A right-angle attachment bracket 196 is provided at the outer ends of the end-top frame member 190, the angle bracket 196 having a horizontal flange 197 overlying the bottom wall of the body portion 191 and attached thereto by rivets 197a and a downwardly vertically extending flange 198 abutting against the inner surface of the outer side wall 131a parallel thereto. The flange 198 is secured to the outer side wall 131a by suitable fastening means such as screws or bolts. In like manner, the inboard ends (not shown) of the top frame members 190 is secured to the corner frame members 160 by identical attachment brackets 196.

A pair of gusset plates 152 are respectively provided at the upper corners of the container 50 at each end thereof. Referring, for example, to FIGS. 2 and 12 of the drawings, each of the gusset plates 152 is substantially triangular in outline having one leg thereof overlying the forward wall of the adjacent corner frame member 130 or 160 and secured thereto by three rivets 154. Another leg of the gusset plate 152 is secured to the forward wall of the end-top frame 190 by means of three screws or bolts 207. At the upper corner of each of the gusset plates 152 between the attachment legs thereof is a recess or notch 152a, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. At the bottom end of each of the corner frame members 130 is provided another pair of gusset plates 153, also generally triangular in outline. One of the gusset plates 153 of each pair has one edge thereof overlying the front wall of the body portion 131 of the adjacent corner frame member 130 substantially parallel thereto and secured thereto by means of a plurality of rivets. The other one of each pair of the gusset plates 153 has one edge thereof overlying the rear wall of the body portion 131 of the adjacent corner frame member 130 substantially parallel thereto and secured thereto by means of a plurality of rivets.

It will be noted that the side panel wall 121, the corner frame members 130, the side-base connecting frame member 140, the adjacent one of the side-top right-angle frame members 165, the gusset plates 153 and the adjacent one of the gusset plates 152 are all permanently riveted together into a single outboard side panel unit. Similarly, the side panel wall 151, the corner frame members 160, the side-base connecting frame member 170, the adjacent one of the side-top right-angle frame members 165 and the adjacent ones of the gusset plates 152 are all permanently riveted together into a single inboard side panel unit. In like manner, the top panel wall 181 is permanently riveted to the stiffening frame members 185 and the end-top connecting frame members 190 to form a single top panel unit.

The container 50 is also provided with a pair of auxiliary reinforcing frame members 201 and 202, the frame member 201 being disposed adjacent to the forward end of the container 50 and the frame member 202 being disposed at the rear end thereof. Each of the frame members 201 and 202 comprises an elongated upstanding tubular member substantially rectangular in cross section. The bottom end of each of the frame members 201 and 202 is disposed between the adjacent pair of gusset plates 153 and is secured thereto by suitable fastening means such as screws or bolts 207. At the upper ends of each of the frame members 201 and 202 there is provided a generally triangular gusset plate 203 attached to the outer wall thereof by means of screws or bolts, the upper edge of each of the gusset plates 203 respectively overlying the outer walls of the adjacent end-top frame members 190 and secured thereto by screws or bolts. The auxiliary frame member 201 is provided along the inboard side thereof (right-hand side as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 12) with a plurality of vertically aligned and spaced-apart openings 208 and the auxiliary frame member 202 is similarly provided along the forward wall thereof with a plurality of vertically aligned spaced-apart openings 209. Preferably, the openings 208 are equal in number to the openings 209 and to the openings 129, 139, 159 and 169 in the other frame members, with corresponding ones of the openings in the various frame members being in horizontal alignment with each other. The forward wall of the auxiliary frame member 201 and the forward wall of the front one of the corner frame members 160 are each provided with a small cushion 206 preferably formed of a resilient material such as sponge rubber. Similarly, identical cushions (not shown) are provided on the rear walls of the frame members 202 and the rear one of the frame members 160.

When assembled, the front ones of the frame members 130, 160 and 190 cooperate with each other and with the front edge of the base panel 100 to define a front access opening into the container 50. Similarly, the rear ones of the frame members 130, 160 and 190 cooperate with each other and with the rear edge of the base panel 100 to define a rear access opening into the container 50. These access openings are respectively closed by a pair of door structures or assemblies, each generally designated by the numeral 200 and being mirror images of each other, wherefore only one of these door assemblies will be described in detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 25 of the drawings, a pair of door bracket assemblies, generally designated by the numeral 210, are respectively provided on the end-top frame members 190 adjacent to the opposite ends thereof. Since the door bracket assemblies 210 are mirror images of each other only the outboard one will be described in detail. Each of the door bracket assemblies 210 includes a mounting block 211 disposed on the inner surface of the top wall of the body portion 191 and is secured thereto by a screw 212. The outboard side of the mounting block 211 has a recessed portion 213 at the front end thereof in which is mounted a pivot pin 214. A generally U-shaped pivot member 215 is mounted on the pivot pin 214, the pivot member 215 having a bight 215a and a flange 216 and a pair of eyelets 217, the pivot pin 214 being disposed through the eyelets 217 for pivotal mounting thereof. Connected to the flange 216 of the pivot member 215 is a slide or track member, generally designated by the numeral 220, the slide member 220 comprising an angle bracket 221 having an elongated arm 224 and a short attachment arm 222 connected to the flange 216 of the pivot member 215 by means of rivets 223. Mounted on the outer surface of the arm 224 and substantially coterminous therewith is a solid rail 225 substantially T-shaped in cross section having a stem 226 and a cross bar 227. The rail 225 is attached to the arm 224 by means of a plurality of screws 228 extending therethrough and through the stem 226 and being engageable with nuts 229 recessed in the outer surface of the cross bar 227.

The door bracket assembly 220 has a normal closed position as shown in FIG. 15 wherein the arm 224 extends vertically downwardly from the pivot member 215, the pivot member 215 and the attachment flange 222 of the angle bracket 221 being disposed within the body portion 191 of the end-top frame member 190, an opening 191a being provided in the front wall of the body portion 191 for this purpose, access to the opening 191a being provided by the notch 152a in the gusset plate 152. In this position, the bight 215a of the pivot member 215 is disposed generally rearwardly with the flange 216 and the eyelets 217 being disposed generally forwardly thereof, as is shown in FIG. 15. From the closed position illustrated in FIG. 15, the door bracket assembly 220 may be pivotally moved counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 15 on the pivot pin 214 to an open position wherein the elongated arm 224 is disposed substantially parallel to the top panel wall 181 as illustrated in FIG. 16. In the open position shown in FIG. 16, the pivot member 215 is in contact with the lower surface of the U-shaped flange 195 on the end-top connecting frame member 190. The complementary shapes of the flange 195 and the pivot member 215 allow the flange 195 to nest snugly within the pivot member 215 when the door bracket assembly is in the open position thereof whereby the flange 195 serves as a stop to restrain the outward pivotal movement of the door bracket assembly 220 in the opening direction. It will of course be understood that the inboard one of the door bracket assemblies 220 is similarly constructed and operates in an identical fashion.

Slidably mounted on the door bracket assemblies 220 is an upper door panel, generally designated by the numeral 230, and comprising a pair of flat substantially rectangular sheet-metal walls 231 and 232 extending generally parallel to each other and dimensioned to completely cover the upper portion of the adjacent access opening into the container 50. Disposed between the walls 321 and 232 is a filler 233 in the form of a body of rigid cellular construction preferably formed of aluminum having a honeycomb structure, the filler 233 being secured to the walls 231 and 232 by means of a sheet of epoxy (see FIGS. 23 and 24). Disposed between the walls 231 and 232 at the margins thereof and extending around the periphery of the filler 233 is a rigid frame or spacer structure, generally designated by the numeral 235, in the form of an elongated channel having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a bight 236 carrying a pair of flanges 237, with the bight 236 disposed inwardly of the door panel 230 and abutting against the filler 233. The spacer structure 235 is substantially similar in construction and function to the spacer structure 105 in the base panel 100.

Respectively disposed along the inboard and outboard edges of the upper door panel 230 and extending the length thereof is a pair of elongated slide or track channels, generally designated by the numeral 240, and being mirror images of each other, wherefore only the outboard one will be described in detail. Referring to FIG. 20 of the drawings, the slide channel 240 has a body portion generally C-shaped in cross section and including a bight 241 and a pair of side flanges 242, each of the side flanges 242 being integral at one end thereof with the bight 241 and carrying at the other end thereof a short retaining flange 243, the retaining flanges 243 extending toward each other and substantially parallel to the bight 241. The inboard one of the side flanges 242 is provided with a pair of attachment flanges 248 extending therefrom substantially normal thereto. In use, the attachment flanges 248 are inserted between the flanges 237 of the adjacent spacer 235 so that the adjacent edges of the flanges 237 and of the door panel walls 231 and 232 abut against the slide channel inboard side flange 242, with the outer surfaces of the walls 231 and 232 respectively being flush with the outer surfaces of the bight 241 and the inboard retaining flange 243 of the slide channel 240. The slide channels 240 are each secured to the adjacent edge of the door panel 230 by means of a plurality of rivets extending through the door panel walls 231 and 232, the spacer flanges 237 and the side channel attachment flanges 248. Disposed through the outer one of the side flanges 242 adjacent to the lower end of each of the slide channels 240 is a stop pin 244, the function of which will be described hereinafter. It will be understood that the inboard one of the slide channels 240 is suitably constructed.

Disposed along the upper edge of the upper door panel 230 is a hook or support member 245 extending along the entire length of the door panel 230 from the inboard edge to the outboard edge thereof. Referring to FIG. 21 of the drawings, the hook member 245 includes a body portion 246 having a generally inverted-U-shaped neck or hook 247 integral with an extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof. Extending downwardly from the lower surface of the body portion 246 is a pair of attachment legs or flanges 249 disposed in use between the flanges 237 of the adjacent door panel spacer 235, with the upper edges of the spacer flanges 237 and the door panel walls 231 and 232 abutting against the body portion 246 of the hook member 245. The hook member 245 is secured to the adjacent edge of the door panel 230 by means of a plurality of rivets which are passed through the door panel walls 231 and 232, the spacer flanges 237 and the hook member attachment flanges 249. It should be noted that the hook member 245 does not have the cross section shown in FIG. 21 along the entire length thereof. While the body portion 246 and hook member 247 extend the entire length of the door panel 230 and overlie the top edges of the slide channels 240, the attachment flanges 249 extend only as far as the inner ends of the attachment flanges 248 on the slide channels 240.

As can be seen from FIGS. 15 to 17, the slide channels 240 are each shaped complementary to the rails 225 on the door bracket assemblies 220 and are adapted to be fitted thereover for slidable engagement therewith. Thus, the upper door panel 230 may be slidably moved along the cooperating slide or truck members 225 and 240 between an extended condition as shown in phantom in FIG. 11 and a retracted condition as shown in solid lines in FIG. 11 all as will be described further hereinafter. Sliding movement of the door panel 230 in the retracting direction is limited by the engagement of the stop pins 244 in the slide channels 240 with the lower ends of the rails 225 as indicated in FIG. 11. Sliding movement of the door panel 230 in the extending direction is limited by engagement by the hook 247 with the slide bracket 221 when the door bracket assembly 220 is in the fully opened position as shown in FIG. 16 or by engagement of the hook 247 in the U-shaped flange 195 when door bracket assembly 220 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 15.

It is a significant feature of this invention, that when the door bracket assemblies 220 are in the open positions thereof the elongated arms 224 and the attached rails 225 are disposed a short distance above the top panel wall 181 and substantially parallel thereto. Thus, when the door bracket assemblies 220 are in the open positions thereof, the movement of the upper door panel 230 in the retracting direction along the track members 225 and 240 will serve to slide the top door panel 230 into a position overlying the top panel 180 substantially parallel thereto for convenient stowage of the door panel 230 to facilitate loading and unloading of the container 50. For this purpose, the dimensions of the door bracket assemblies 220 are such that the vertical distance between the top panel wall 181 and the elongated arm 224 in the open position of the door bracket assemblies 220 is just sufficient to allow free movement of the door panel 230 above the top panel 180.

There is also provided a lower door panel, generally designated by the numeral 250, and conforming in outline to the lower portion of the adjacent access opening into the container 50. The lower door panel 250 includes a pair of spaced-apart flat sheet-metal walls 251 and 252 extending generally parallel to each other. Disposed between the walls 251 and 252 is a filler 253 in the form of a body of rigid cellular construction, preferably formed of aluminum having a honeycomb structure, the filler 253 being secured to the walls 251 and 252 by means of a sheet of epoxy (see FIGS. 23 and 24). Disposed between the metal walls 251 and 252 along the upper margin thereof is a rigid frame or spacer structure generally designated by the numeral 255 in the form of an elongated channel having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a bight 256 carrying a pair of flanges 257, the bight 256 being disposed inwardly of the door panel 250 and abutting against the upper edge of the filler 253. The spacer structure 255 is substantially the same in construction and function as the spacer 235 in the upper door panel 230. Disposed between the metal walls 251 and 252 along the side and bottom margins thereof is a tubular spacer structure 254 substantially rectangular in cross section. The spacer 254 is inserted between the walls 251 and 252 with one end thereof abutting against the filler 253 and the opposite end thereof being flush with the adjacent edges of the walls 251 and 252. The spacer 254 is secured to the door panel 250 by means of a plurality of rivets. There is provided along the bottom margin of the lower door panel 250 a plurality of retaining tabs 257, each comprising a thin strip of metal secured to the bottom panel walls 251 and 252 by means of screws or bolts 258 and extending downwardly beyond the bottom edge of the door panel 250 and respectively engageable in the slots 109 in the base panel 100 as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The upper end of the lower door panel 250 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the upper door panel 230 by means of a hinge structure, generally designated by the numeral 260, and being of the piano-hinge variety. The hinge structure 260, comprises a hinge pin 261 on which are pivotally mounted a pair of hinge plates 262. Each of the hinge plates 262 includes a pivot leg 263 having at one end thereof a foot portion 264, the foot portion 264 carrying a pair of attachment flanges 265 extending outwardly therefrom. At the other end of each of the pivot legs 263 is a plurality of eyelets 269. In use, the eyelets 269 on each of the hinge plates 262 are aligned with each other with the hinge pin 261 disposed therethrough for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plates 262 with respect to each other. The attachment flanges 265 of one of the hinge plates 262 is inserted between the flanges 237 on the spacer 235 of the upper door panel 230 while the attachment flanges 265 of the other of the hinge plates 262 is inserted between the flanges 257 of the spacer 255 of the bottom door panel 250. The door panels 230 and 250 are respectively secured to the associated ones of the hinge plates 262 by means of a plurality of bolts 266 extending through the associated door panel walls, spacer flanges, and hinge plate attachment flanges and engaging with nuts 267 on the inner surfaces of the door panels. While the lower one of the hinge plates 262 extends the entire length of the upper margin of the door panel 250, the upper one of the door hinge plates 262 extends only as far as the inner ends of the slide channels 240 on the upper door panel 230 as can be seen from FIG. 14.

The lower door panel 250 is pivotally movable on the hinge structure 260 through an arc of at least 180°. When the door bracket assemblies 220 are in the closed positions thereof as indicated in FIG. 15, the lower door panel 250 is movable between a closed position extending downwardly from the upper door panel 230 substantially in alignment therewith as indicated, for example, in FIG. 14 and an open or folded position disposed alongside the upper door panel 230 substantially parallel thereto as indicated, for example in FIG. 11. In moving from the closed position to the open or folded position thereof, the lower door panel 250 is swung in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 7 (outwardly toward the viewer in FIG. 14). This folding relationship between the upper and lower door panels 240 and 250 allows the door structure 200 to be fully opened in a relatively small end clearance space, whereby it may be possible to open the container 50 in the cramped quarters of an aircraft cargo compartment or in the airport cargo handling facilities should this become necessary.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 14, 23 and 25 of the drawings, a pair of latch mechanisms generally designated by the numeral 270 are provided on the door structure 200. Each of the latch mechanisms 270 includes an elastic strap 271 secured at one end thereof to the outer surface of the upper door panel 230 by means of a suitable mounting member 272 such as a rivet. Preferably, the strap 271 hangs downwardly from the mounting member 272 and carries at the lower end thereof a latch plate 275, the latch plate 275 having an opening therethrough at the upper end thereof through which is received an attachment strip 273, the ends of which are preferably stitched to the lower end of the elastic strap 271. The latch plate 275 is provided with a keyhole-shaped opening 276 therethrough having a generally circular enlarged upper portion 278 communicating with a narrow lower portion or slot 277. Attached to the lower end of the latch plate 275 is a handle strap 279.

Each of the latch mechanisms 270 is designed to cooperate with a corresponding keeper, generally designated by the numeral 280, and securely fastened to the container 50. Preferably, one of the keepers 280 is mounted on the front surface of the reinforcing strut 201 and the other of the keepers 280 is mounted on the front wall of the front corner frame member 160 as indicated in Fig. 2. Each of the keepers 280 includes a generally hexagonal stock or body portion 281 having a relatively small diameter cylindrical shaft extending outwardly therefrom and coaxial therewith, the outer end of the shaft 282 having an enlarged diameter rounded head 283 thereon. Preferably, the stock 281 is threadedly engaged with the corresponding strut 201 or frame member 160. The head 283 has a diameter only slightly less than the diameter of the opening 278 in the latch plate 275, while the shaft 282 has a diameter slightly less than the width of the slot 277 in the latch plate 275. A pair of openings 268 are provided through the hinge structure 260 for accommodating the keeper studs 280 therethrough when the door structure 200 is closed as indicated in Fig. 23. When the door structure is closed and in the position indicated in FIG. 23, the keeper studs 280 are extended through the openings 268 in the hinge structure 260. Normally, in the relaxed condition thereof, the elastic strap 271 will maintain the latch plate 275 above the keeper studs 280. Thus, by appropriate tensioning of the elastic strap 271, the latch plate 275 is lowered to allow the head 283 of the keeper 280 to extend through the opening 278 in the latch plate 275. Upon subsequent release of the latch mechanism 270, the tension in the strap 271 will pull the latch plate 275 upwardly engaging the shaft 282 of the keeper 280 in the slot 277 of the latch plate 275, thereby preventing accidental disengagement of the latch 275 from the keeper 280 since the diameter of the head 383 is too great to allow it to pass through the slot 277.

The operation of the door structure 200 will now be described. The door structure 200 is movable between a closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14 of the drawings wherein it completely closes the adjacent door-receiving opening, and a folded stowed position atop the container 50 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings. In the closed position, the door bracket assemblies 220 are in the closed positions thereof (see FIG. 15), the upper door panel 230 is in the extended condition thereof and the lower door panel 250 is in the closed or unfolded position thereof. In this position, the hook 247 on the hook member 245 is an engagement in the U-shaped flange 195 on the end-top frame member 190, whereby the weight of the door panels 230 and 250 is supported by the end-top frame member 190. Also, the retaining tabs 257 are inserted in the corresponding slots 109 in the base panel 100 and the latch keeper studs 280 are disposed through the openings 268 in the hinge structure 260. When the latch mechanism 275 is in engagement with the keeper 280 as indicated in FIG. 14, the door structure 200 is securely locked in its closed position. The door panels are maintained in the door-receiving opening with the keeper studs 280 extending therethrough by means of the latch mechanism, thus preventing outward movement of the door bracket assemblies 220 and preventing slidable movement of the upper door panel 230. The retaining tabs 257 engage with the bottom panel 100 to prevent pivotal movement of the bottom panel 100 on the hinge structure 260, which movement is also retarded by the latch plates 275. Further, the side margins of the door panels 230 and 250 lie within the recesses formed by the door-receiving flanges 132 and 162 on the corner frame members 130 and 160 and respectively abut against the abutment flanges 132a and 162a thereof. Thus, inward pivotal movement of the door panels is restrained and a flush outer surface is presented at the ends of the container 50.

In order to move the door structure 200 from the closed position thereof to the folded stowed position thereof, the latch mechanisms 270 are first disengaged from the corresponding keepers 280. Thus freed, the hinge structure 260 may be moved slightly outwardly from the door-receiving opening sufficiently to disengage it from the keeper studs 280. As can be seen from FIG. 23, only a slight outward movement of the hinge structure 260 is required to effect such disengagement. Thus disengaged, the upper door panel 230 may be slid upwardly along the tracks 225 and 240 a slight distance sufficient to completely disengage the retaining tabs 257 from the slots 109 in the base panel 100. Then the lower door panel 250 may be swung upwardly outwardly as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7 until it lies alongside and substantially parallel to the upper door panel 230. For this purpose a handle strap 295 is preferably affixed to the outer surface of the lower door panel wall 251. When the door structure 200 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the folded door panels 230 and 250 are swung upwardly outwardly as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8 until the door bracket assemblies 220 are in the fully opened position indicated in FIGS. 8 and 16. The upper door panel 230 is then slid back along the slide rails 225 into the stowed position above the top panel 180 of the container 50 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9. In the fully stowed position, shown in FIG. 11, the stop pins 244 in the door panel slide 240 abut against the lower ends of the slide rails 225 and prevent further sliding movement of the door panel 230 in the retracting direction, and the folded door panels will extend outwardly beyond the front edge of the container 50 a short distance substantially equal to the length of the slide rail 225.

It will be noted that in the stowed position thereof, the door structure 200 occupies a space which extends vertically only a slight distance above the top panel of the container 50, this distance not exceeding 6 inches in the preferred embodiment of this invention. Further, it will be noted that the entire opening operation of the door structure 220 requires no more than this 6 inch clearance above the container and a space in front of the container slightly greater than the height of one of the door panels. Thus, the door structure 200 may be opened even when the container 50 is in place in the cargo compartment of an airplane, while at the same time the container 50 is nearly completely occupying the available space in the cargo compartment.

For moving the door structure 200 from its folded stowed position back to the closed position thereof, the opening steps described above are simply performed in reverse order. First of all, the upper door panel 230 is slid outwardly along the slide rails 225 to the fully extended condition thereof. For this purpose a handle strap 239 is preferably provided on the inner surface of the upper door panel wall 232 adjacent to the lower edge thereof. Next, the door panels are lowered by downward pivotal movement of the door bracket assemblies 220 to the closed positions thereof. The lower door panel 250 is then swung down until it again is substantially in alignment with the upper door panel 230. By sliding the upper door panel a short distance upwardly along the slide rails 225, the retaining tabs 257 may be inserted in the slots 209 in the base panel 109 and the door panels may then be released and will go back into the door-receiving opening with the door keepers extending through the openings 268 in the hinge structure 260. The latch mechanisms 270 may then be engaged with the keepers 280 to lock the door structure 200 in the closed configuration thereof. It will, of course, be understood that the door structure at the rear of the container is similar in construction and identical in operation to the front door structure just described.

There may also be provided in the container 50 a plurality of shelves 300, two of which have been shown in place in FIGS. 10 and 14 of the drawings. Referring to FIGS. 26 to 31 of the drawings, each shelf 300 comprises a pair of spaced-apart substantially rectangular sheet-metal walls 301 and 302 extending generally parallel to each other. Disposed between the walls 301 and 302 is a filler 303 in the form of a body of rigid cellular construction preferably formed of aluminum having a honeycomb structure. The filler 303 being secured to the walls 301 and 302 by means of a sheet of epoxy. The inboard side margins of the shelf walls 301 and 302 are recessed at the front and rear ends thereof to respectively form a pair of notches or shoulders 308. Similarly, the outboard side margins of the shelf walls 301 and 302 are recessed at the front and rear ends thereof to form a pair of notches or shoulders 309. There are also respectively provided in the front and rear margins of the shelf walls 301 and 302 a pair of substantially rectangular slots 316 and 317 for accommodating the reinforcing struts 201 and 202 as will be described more fully hereinafter. Disposed between the metal walls 301 and 302 at the inboard and outboard side margins thereof is a rigid frame or spacer structure, generally designated by the numeral 305, in the form of an elongated channel having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a bight 306 carrying a pair of flanges 307, with the bight 306 disposed inwardly of the shelf 300 and abutting against the filler 303. Disposed between the walls 301 and 302 along the front and rear margins thereof is a frame or spacer structure generally designated by the numeral 310, in the form of an elongated tube substantially rectangular in cross section. The spacer 310 has an outer wall 311 having a thickness somewhat greater than the thickness of the remaining walls thereof and extending upwardly and downwardly slightly beyond the upper and lower walls of the spacer 310 to define therewith a pair of shoulders 312. The spacer 310 is inserted between the shelf walls 301 and 302 with the shoulders 312 respectively abutting thereagainst and with the inner wall of spacer 310 abutting against the filler 303. The spacers 310 are preferably secured to the shelf 300 by means of a plurality of rivets (not shown).

The shelf 300 is provided along the inboard and outboard margins thereof with a plurality of fixed mounting members, generally designated by the numeral 320, the preferred embodiment having four of the mounting members 320 disposed along the inboard margin thereof and three such mounting members on the outboard margin as shown in FIG. 26. Each of the fixed mounting members 320 includes a solid generally rectangular pin block 321 carrying at one end thereof a pair of elongated attachment flanges 322 extending outwardly a substantial distance beyond the front and rear sides of the pin block 321. In use, the attachment flanges 322 are inserted between the flanges 307 of the adjacent shelf spacer 305 and are secured thereto by means of a plurality of rivets 323, preferably three in number. When so fastened to the shelf 300, the pin block 321 of the mounting member 320 extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of the shelf walls 301 and 302 substantially normal thereto. Each of the pin blocks 321 carries a cylindrical mounting pin 324 extending rearwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto, and having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the holes in the frame members 130 and 160, and the stiffening ribs 125 and 155. Another fixed mounting member 325 is carried by the shelf 300 along the rear margin thereof, the mounting member 325 including a generally U-shaped pin block 326 shaped in conformity with and disposed around the rectangular slot 317 in the rear margin of the shelf 300. Preferably, the pin block 326 comprises a channel member substantially U-shaped in cross section and carrying a pair of attachment flanges (not shown) for insertion between the flanges 307 of the adjacent shelf spacer 305 and attachment thereto by means of rivets in a manner similar to the attachment of the fixed mounting members 320. The bight portion of the U-shaped pin block 326 carries a cylindrical pin 327 thereon extending outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto into the slot 317 and having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the openings 209 in the supporting strut 202. There is also provided a pair of generally U-shaped flat reinforcing gusset plates 328 disposed about the U-shaped pin block 326, the gusset plates 328 preferably being disposed respectively along the inner surfaces of the shelf walls 301 and 302 with the outer margins thereof being respectively disposed between the adjacent shelf wall and the adjacent flange 307 of the spacer 305.

There is also provided along the front edge of the shelf 300 a plurality of movable or locking mounting members, generally designated by the numeral 330, the mounting members 330 preferably being two in number and being respectively disposed at the front corners of the shelf 301. Each of the mounting members 330 includes a generally rectangular hollow pin block 331 disposed between the shelf walls 301 and 302, the pin block 331 having one wall thereof disposed toward the front of the shelf 300 and abutting the inner surface of the bight 306 of the adjacent spacer 305 and having another wall thereof disposed toward the adjacent side of the shelf 300 and being substantially flush with the adjacent side edges of the shelf walls 301 and 302. Integral with the pin block 331 and extending rearwardly thereof in alignment with the outer side wall thereof is a closure leg 333, the closure leg 333 extending beyond the end of the front shoulder 308 in the shelf walls and abutting the inner surface of the bight 306 of the adjacent side spacer 305 and serving to completely close the space between the shelf walls 301 and 302 in the area of the shoulder 308. The pin block 331 is secured in position between the shelf walls 301 and 302 by means of rivets 323 extending therethrough. There is carried within the hollow of the pin block 331 a generally U-shaped movable carriage 335 having a horizontally extending bight portion 336 carrying at the opposite sides thereof a pair of vertically downwardly extending legs 337 and 338. The forward edge of the bight portion 336 has a recessed portion 339 therein between the legs 337 and 338. The carriage 335 is freely movable within the pin block 331 sliding along the adjacent portion of the inner surface of the shelf wall 302. A locking member 340 is provided for limiting the side-to-side motion of the movable carriage 335, the locking member 340 comprising an elongated cylindrical shaft 341 extending outwardly through a complementary opening in the front wall of the pin block 331 and the bight portion 306 of the adjacent spacer 305. The shaft 341 carries an enlarged circular head on the inner end thereof having a thickness corresponding to the depth of the recessed portion 339 in the carriage 335 for engagement therewith. Disposed about the shaft 341 between the head 342 and the front wall of the pin block 331 is a coil spring 343 engaging the head portion 342 for resiliently urging the locking member 340 inwardly toward and against the movable carriage 335. Connected to the outer leg 337 of the movable carriage 335 and extending outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto is a cylindrical pin 345, the pin 345 extending through a complementary opening in the outer side wall of the pin block 331 and therebeyond. The pin 345 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the openings 139 and 159 in the adjacent corner frame members 130 and 150, the inner end of the pin 345 having a reduced diameter portion 346 threaded for engagement with the leg 337 of the movable carriage 335.

In use, the movable carriages 335 are held against the rear walls of the pin blocks 331 under the urging of the coil springs 343. There is preferably provided in the bottom shelf wall 302 a pair of openings (not shown) at the front corners thereof for affording access to the movable carriages 335 of the locking members 330. In operation, for moving the carriage 335 from the position shown in FIG. 27 where the pin 345 is fully extended outwardly beyond the pin block 331 to a retracted position where the pin 345 is withdrawn into the pin block 331, it is first necessary to move the locking member 340 forwardly against the urging of the coil spring 343 and out of the recess 339 in the carriage 335. Then the carriage 335 may be slid sideways in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 27 until the pin block 331 is disposed completely to the left of the locking member head 342 as viewed in FIG. 27. In this position, the pin 345 will be completely withdrawn into the pin block 331, whereupon the locking member 340 may be released, the head 342 then engaging against the pin 345 and the outer surface of the movable member leg 337 for preventing accidental movement of the movable member 335 back to the extended position thereof.

An additional movable mounting or locking member 330a is preferably provided adjacent to the inboard edge of the slot 316 in the forward margin of the shelf 300, the movable mounting member 330a being substantially similar to the mounting members 330 and being oriented with the pin 345a thereof directed toward the outboard side of the container 50. However, in place of the closure leg 333, the mounting member 330a is provided with a U-shaped attachment bracket 332 substantially identical to the pin block 326 of the mounting member 325 and surrounding the slot 316, the attachment bracket 332 being secured to the movable mounting member 330a and to the adjacent portion of the spacer 305 by means of rivets. The pin 345a of the movable mounting member 330a extends into the slot 316 when in its extended condition and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the openings 208 in the reinforcing strut 201. An opening (not shown) is provided in the bottom shelf wall 302 for affording access to the movable carriage and locking member of the mounting member 330a. A pair of gusset or reinforcing plates 347, identical in construction to the gusset plates 328 are preferably provided about the slot 316 on the inner surfaces of the shelf walls 301 and 302, with the forward margins of the plates 347 being respectively disposed between the adjacent one of the walls 301 and 302 and the associated flange 307 of the spacer 305. Similarly, four pairs of generally triangular reinforcing or gusset plates 315 are provided at each corner of the shelf 300 between the walls 301 and 302 thereof, the outer margins of the plates 315 being disposed between the spacer flanges 307 and the adjacent shelf walls 301 and 302.

In operation, pins 345 of each of the movable mounting members 330 and 330a are locked in the retracted positions thereof and the shelf 300 is then inserted into the container 50 through the forward door-receiving opening thereof, the shelf 300 preferably being tilted at an angle to the base panel 100 and inserted between the reinforcing strut 201 and the forward frame member 160. Once behind the reinforcing strut 201, the shelf 300 is moved to a horizontal position substantially parallel to the bottom panel 100 with the reinforcing struts 201 and 202 being respectively disposed in the slots 316 and 317 in the front and rear margins of the shelf 300. The shelf 300 is then vertically moved to the desired height with the fixed mounting members 320 and 325 thereof in alignment with the corresponding openings in the frame members and stiffening ribs of the container 50. Then, the shelf may be moved rearwardly in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 26 so that the pins 324 and 327 of the fixed mounting members 320 and 325 will be inserted into the corresponding ones of the openings in the container frame members and ribs. More particularly, the forward three inboard mounting pins 324 will be inserted into corresponding ones of the openings 159 in the stiffening ribs 155 with the rearmost one of the inboard mounting pins 324 being disposed in the corresponding opening 169 in the rear one of the corner frame members 160; the forward two outboard mounting pins 324 are respectively inserted into corresponding ones of the openings 129 in the stiffening ribs 125 with the rearmost one of the outboard mounting pins 324 being inserted in the aligned opening 139 in the rear one of the corner frame members 130; the mounting pin 327 is inserted into the corresponding opening 208 in the reinforcing strut 202. In this position, the pins 345 and 345a of the movable mounting members 330 and 330a will be in alignment with the corresponding ones of the openings 139, 169 and 208 in the corner frame members 130 and 160 and reinforcing strut 201, respectively. Each of the movable pins 345 and 345a may then be moved to the fully extended positions thereof whereupon they will be inserted into the corresponding openings of the adjacent frame members and reinforcing strut.

At this point, the shelf 300 will be securely locked in position within the container 50, the movable locking members 330 and 330a serving to prevent accidental disengagement of the fixed mounting members 320 and 325 from their corresponding support members by preventing forward movement of the shelf 300 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 26. For adjusting the position of the shelf 300 in the container 50, it is only necessary to move each of the movable locking members 330 and 330a into the fully retracted position thereof, thus permitting forward movement of the shelf 300 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 26. The shelf 300 may then be moved a short distance in this direction sufficiently to disengage the fixed mounting members 320 and 325 whereupon the shelf may be moved vertically to another desired position.

The shelf mounting openings in the various frame members and stiffening ribs may, if desired, extend all the way to the top thereof for mounting the shelf 300 in a position closely adjacent to the top panel 180 of the container 50. In this manner, the shelf 300 may be moved out of the way when not in use without necessitating its complete removal from the container 50.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there may also be provided a pair of handle straps 290 on the outer surface of each of the side panels 120 and 150 to assist in moving the container 50 about. Further, there is preferably provided a plurality of destination placards 295 on which information regarding the contents and/or destination of the container 50 may be indicated.

In use, the cargo containers 50 may be brought to the entrance of the airplane 60 and moved onto a ball transfer mat consisting of a multiplicity of balls defining a ball-bearing surface. The containers 50 are moved on the ball-bearing surface so as to orient them and align them into two longitudinally extending side-by-side rows, the sloping portion 122 of the side panel 120 of each of the containers generally conforming to the curvature of airplane fuselage 61. Because the containers 50 are moved on a ball transfer mat, the fact that the bottom wall 102 of the base panel 100 presents a flush surface is highly desirable as there are no obstructions to free movement of the containers. There will normally be provided a plurality of locking mechanisms (not shown) on the lower deck 66 of the aircraft 60, each including a locking arm or finger which may be swiveled from a disengaging position to a position where it is disposed over the body portions 142 and 172 of the side-base connecting frame members 140 and 170 and abutting against the upright flanges 146 and 176, respectively, thereof in a well-known manner. The locking arms may then be tightened against the side-base connecting frame members to hold the cargo container 50 in place. When the airplane 60 reaches its destination, the locking mechanisms may be disengaged from the containers 50, which are then rolled out of the airplane and brought to a convenient location in the airport. If desired, means may be provided on the container 50 for attaching ropes or cables for securing the container in place in an aircraft.

It is a significant feature of the present invention that the container 50 includes a number of structural units which may be easily assembled in the field. In preforming such assembly, the inboard and outboard side panel units are first fastened to the base panel unit and then the top panel unit is fastened to the upper edges of the side panel units. Preferably, the upper door panels 230 will have been fixed in position on the rails 225 of the door bracket assemblies 220 and the door stops 244 will have been permanently mounted in the door panel slide channels 240 whereby the door panel 230 and the door bracket assemblies 220 form a single structural unit. This structural unit is next attached to the top panel unit at the opposite ends of the container 50. Next, the hinge structures 260 may be attached to the upper door panels 230 and the lower door panel 250 may then be respectively mounted on the hinge structures 260. The reinforcing struts 201 and 202 may be attached in place either prior to or after the mounting of the desired number of shelves 300 in the container 50 for completing the assembly thereof.

It will be noted, there has been provided a cargo container 50 of simple economical and lightweight yet durable construction conveniently shaped to make the most efficient use of the space available in a cargo compartment of an aircraft. Further, the container 50 is simple to operate, requiring only a few simple movements. Significantly, a unique door structure 200 has been provided which may be completely opened and stowed above the top wall of the container with only a 6 inch clearance thereabove. In addition, easily adjustable shelf structures 300 have been provided for mounting within the container 50.

Preferably, the container 50 is constructed primarily of aluminum with the frame members and spacers comprising aluminum extrusions and with the panel walls comprising aluminum sheets. Further, the container 50 is so constructed that substantially flush surfaces are presented along the outside of the container 50 to prevent snagging against other containers or miscellaneous objects within the aircraft and further to facilitate water runoff when the container is exposed to the elements.

A significant advantage of the container 50 according to this invention is the construction therein of a group of prefabricated subassembly units. More particularly, the container 50 is comprised primarily of a base panel unit, an inboard side panel unit, an outboard side panel unit, a top panel unit, two door structure units, and any number of shelf units, all of which may be connected together by means of easily removable fastening members such as screws and nuts and bolts. There are a number of desirable ramifications of this feature. For example, if one of the panel units becomes damaged at a place far removed from the point of manufacture the user merely notifies the manufacturing facility and asks that the appropriate structural unit which has been damaged be shipped immediately to the place where it is needed. Since the various structural units are relatively small and flat they consume only a small amount of space which facilitates their shipment upon very short notice. Also the cargo container 50 may be shipped by the manufacturer in a knocked-down or disassembled condition thereby using less space in transit and accordingly reducing the manufacturer's shipping costs.

While there has been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.