Variable-volume container with a lifting rail

The invention relates to a container with variable Volume according to the preamble of claim 1.

Containers are commonly used to transport goods, But there are also containers that are used for residential purposes Or as workshops, test stands, transportable kitchens Or as transportable operating rooms, Wherein a plurality of applications is possible. Therefore Such containers must also provide sufficient space to Not just people and devices, but also appropriate Space for working or living.

Containers of the above type are mostly designed for mobile applications, Therefore the transport dimensions of such containers Be as small as possible to make a simple and inexpensive Transport. These requirements are met by the Known variable volume containers, in which Either parts for volume enlargement are unfolded Or drawer-like elements from the container interior And thus enlarge the volume. The Extended elements certainly form attachments at the Container.

Such a container of variable volume with extendible, Drawer-like inserts is from the German Utility model DE-U92 16 314 of the applicant. In advance Reference is made to FIGS 7, in order to provide the basis for the invention Problem definition.

6, which is a perspective view of the principle Of a container 9 with a lateral insert The base container 91 has a side wall 93 which is supported by the drawer 92 is penetrated. As the arrow A indicates, the Insert 92 corresponding to the two arrow directions either Into the basic container 91 or from it Can be withdrawn. The bottom surface 95 of the base container 91 and the bottom surface 96 of the insert 92 as shown in FIGS. 6, not on the same plane, so that the Insert 92 on its side remote from the base container 91 Side by means of a support 94.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view through the embodiment shown in FIG FIG. 6 shows container 9. From this illustration, FIG It is clear that in the space enclosed by the container 9 A step between the one bounded by the base container 91 Space and the space delimited by the insert 92 becomes. This stage constitutes a disadvantage of the conventional one Containers, since, as already mentioned, people inside Of the container. The stage Constitutes a significant impairment of the working Quality, since this level is always an obstacle Is a tripping trap.

Document BE-A-491 328 discloses a container with Variable volume, from which at least one Drawer-like drawer is extendible in order to increase the volume of the drawer Containers. The rack can be designed in this way An outer surface of the insert in the retracted State forms an outer surface of the container. The slot Can be mounted on rollers to facilitate a slight displacement Of the insert.

The object of the present invention is to provide a conventional Containers with inserts such that, according to The extension of the inserts the inside of the container Flat ground.

The object is characterized by the features in the characteristic of the protective claim 1. According to the invention, a slide-in container An extendable and vertically adjustable lifting rail, Wherein the insert which is to be extended is placed on the side facing into a Upper position of the lifting rail is displaceable, and Wherein the lifting rail, after the insertion of the insert, Lower position so that the bottom of the insert Down to the level of the container floor.

Through the construction according to the invention of the container with A lifting rail which can be extended out of the container can be lifted The height of the insert can be changed in a simple manner Be that the stupation in which the bottom of the drawer Lying on the bottom of the container in a use position And then the bottom of the drawer With the bottom of the container.

This results not only in the advantage that the dangerous And the quality of life affecting the quality of life Usage position, but also a Better sealing of the container. Compared to A pure displacement movement is achieved by means of the invention A further degree of freedom , So that seals can now also be used, Which are acted upon in the vertical direction. Thus, A significantly better sealing of the interface between Container and inset.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Parallel to the insert into a substructure of the container Retractable lifting rail of two mutually interlocking U-shaped profiles, the bases of which are each attached to the container Or against the bottom of the insert. One between These two U-shaped sections Alternatively changes the distance between the U-shaped sections. The lifting device is preferably remote from the container Accessible at the front of the lifting rail. The lifting device Can be mechanical, electrical or hydraulic , So that in the externally driven embodiments Also automatic actuation controls or Operating devices within the container for control Of the lifting device are possible.

If a mechanical lifting device is used, For example, spindle drives, lever systems, chain or chain drives Toothed rack drives. Alternatively, Toggle levers, shears, slide guides, oblique planes, wedges Or the like.

Of course, combinations of mechanical, electrical And / or hydraulic drive elements for the lifting device be used.

Further advantageous embodiments are governed by the others Subclaims.

The invention is described below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments With reference to the drawings Is explained. Show it:<sl><li>FIG. 1 is a schematic partial sectional view of an inventive device Container in the retracted state;</li><li>FIG. 2 is a schematic partial sectional view of the container From FIG. 1 with the lifting rail extended;</li><li>FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of the container From FIG. 1 in the extended state,</li><li>FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side view of FIG Section of a lifting rail;</li><li>FIG. 5 is a front view of the lifting rail of FIG. 4;</li><li>FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional one. FIG slide-in container;</li><li>FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 6.</li></sl>

According to FIG. 1, the container 1 has a roof and a floor 11, Which is arranged on a substructure 13 and fixed thereto. The substructure 13 has formed on its underside, claws 12, On which the container stands. Furthermore, the Substructure 13 between the floor 11 and the claws 12 Cavity in which a lifting rail 5 is received Can

The container 1 shown in FIG. 1 assumes the retracted state In its interior a drawer 2 and a drawer 3 Which are each laterally offset by the opposing Sides of the container 1 can be extended. The respective Side walls 24 and 34 of the inserts 2 and 3, respectively, Retracted state the side walls of the container 1. In addition, the inserts 2 and 3 each have a bottom 21 31 and a roof 22 or 32, respectively. On the roof of the container 1, seals 14 are arranged which cover the joint Between the inserts 2 and 3 in the retracted state Opposite the roof of the container 1. The function Of the pivotable elements 15 is to be made at a later time Can be explained with reference to FIG.

As is further shown in FIG. 1, the inserts 2 3 are provided with rollers 23 and 33, respectively, which are mounted on the floor 11 Of the container 1 or on the bottom 21 of the insert 2. The extension movement of the inserts 2 and 3 takes place While being supported on the rollers 23 and 33, respectively By means of corresponding sliding means such as slide rails, Sliding bodies or the like. At the Corresponding to low weight of the inserts can also be Does not entirely dispense with these slides or rollers will. The roles or appropriate facilities shall be Also not on the respective bottom 21 or 31 of the inserts 2 Or 3, and solutions are also possible To which the inserts on corresponding rolling or sliding devices Guided on the roof of the container 1 or on the roof 22 of the insert 2 are displaceably held.

1, a door 4 in the drawer 3 is indicated, This door 4 is, of course, optional, and here only To oppose the sliding movement of the insert 3. FIG The container 1.

FIG. 2 is an intermediate stage of extending the insert 3 from the container 1 shown in FIG. The Displacement movement of the insert 2 is analogous, so that Here a representation and description of the displacement movement Of the insert 2 can be dispensed with. Outgoing From the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG Shown in FIG. 1, by first lifting the lifting rail 5 The base 13 of the container 1 parallel to the displacement direction Of the insert 3. Subsequently, Of the lifting rail 5, so that The lifting rail assumes the position shown in FIG. At the Of the actuation of the lifting device, the upper part 52 of the Lifting rail with its top surface at the same height Such as the bottom 21 of the insert 2, so that the rollers 33 of the insert 3 when extending this insert slightly from The bottom 21 of the insert 2 slide onto this surface can.

In the present example, the lifting device, which is the Upper part 52 of the lifting rail 2 from the lower part 51 in FIG Vertical direction spreads a spindle-driven lever system, In which the vertical spreading of the upper part 52 From the lower part 51 by corresponding rotation of the Spindle 53 is generated. The only one in this figure is sketchy Is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 , So that a description of this lifting device can be found below Reference is made to these figures at a later time.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, Of the base 13 of the container 1 For accommodating the lifting rail 5 at the same time as guiding it Lifting rail. The lower part 51 of the lifting rail 5 Against the upper part 52 of the lifting rail in the direction The container 1 is lengthened so that this extended end A pin guided in the cavity 58. With this The lifting rail 5 is in the extended state in FIG Vertical direction on the container 1 That the weight of the extended drawer 3 from the lifting rail Is held without a support of the insert 3 is required on the installation surface, eg the ground. Likewise, no support is provided which is remote from the container 1 End of the lifting rail 5, but can, in particular When the drawer 3 additionally with heavy equipment Is to be loaded, for safety reasons such a support Of the lower part 51 of the lifting rail 5.

In addition, reference is also made to the one arranged on the roof of the container 1 Density element 14, which during the whole Up of the drawer 3 with its roof 32. This causes a connection of the Interior of the container 1 and the inserts 2, 3 with the environment During the installation, ie during the extension Of the inserts is largely avoided, so that during the extension For example neither rain, snow nor dust in the Container. In addition, the inside of the container During the extension of the inserts with one opposite In the vicinity of which increased internal pressure is applied, That an intrusion of the surrounding atmosphere is prevented.

In the state shown in FIG. 2, the pivotable Element 15 can be folded down so as to be as shown in FIG Shown state. By the pivotable element 15 Becomes the gap that occurs when the drawer 3 is lowered Between the roof 32 of the drawer 3 and the roof of the container 1 are closed. For additional sealing The pivotable element 15 can be provided with a magnetic seal Which, after the pivoting of the pivoting Element 15 adheres to the roof 32 of the drawer 3. Such Magnetic seals are made from a variety of applications known; For example, only the conventional one Household fridge. Thanks to the pivoting Construction of the pivotable element 15, the roof remains Of the container during the entire withdrawal process closed. Alternatively to this execution can be natural Also the sealing element 14 as a telescopically extendable Density element, which during the displacement And lowering movement of the insert 3 the gap between the Roof of the container 1 and the roof 32 of the insert 3 Closes.

The previous explanations regarding the sealing Between the roof of the container 1 and that of the drawer 3 Are of course analogous to the roof 22 of the insert 2 or For the density element 14 assigned to this insert 2 and the Pivotable element 15.

FIG. 3 shows the state in which the insert 3 is completely closed Is extended and lowered. As is clear from this FIG Can be seen, the floor 11 of the container 1 and of the container 1, The bottom 31 of the insert 3 is at the same level, Conventional container with inserts conventional level is dispensed with.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a density element 17 between the Both bottoms 11 and 31, the sealing element 17 being formed by the Displacement and lowering movement of the insert 3 both on the Underside of the bottom 31 as well as in the joint between the Trays 11 and 31. Thus, because of the Sealing in two directions of space Between the drawer 3 and the container 1.

In the state shown in FIG. 3, the lifting rail 5 is moved back into FIG Their initial state, so that with appropriate training The upper part and the lower part of the lifting rail 5, for example As mutually overlapping U-shaped sections, which in the The lifting device 5 is protected Is. Thus, for example, with a longer service life of the Containers in the extended condition, a contamination of the Lifting device and associated functional impairments Of the lifting device.

FIG. 3 further shows a support device 7 with a Support leg 71, which may optionally be provided The end of the lifting rail 5 facing away from the container 1 additionally On the ground floor. Conveniently, when A support 7 of this type is provided at the same time An actuating device for a mechanical lifting device In the lifting rail 5. So could For example a crank (not shown) on the support device Can be provided, optionally with the lifting device In the lifting rail 5 or the supporting foot 71 Is.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two views of an exemplary embodiment Of the lifting device of the lifting rail 5. According to FIG An upper part 52 and a lower part 51 form the lifting rail Are formed as U-shaped profiles. The U- That the open ends of the U face each other. On the inner surface of the base of the U-profile of the upper part 52, a roller 54 is rolled off, which is guided by means of a first lever 55 One on the inner surface of the base of the U-profile of the lower one Part roller 511. An average Area of ​​the first lever 55 is hinged with one end Of a second lever 56, the other end of which, A second block 561.

One end of the first lever 55, which is connected to the roller 551 Is pivotally connected to a first block 552, Wherein the first hole is a spindle nut , Which is provided with a guide element extending along the lifting rail Spindle 53 is engaged. The linkage connected to the second lever 56 Second block 561 is also supported by the spindle 53 But the second block 561 does not have any Spindle nut, but only one Smooth bore for radial guidance of the spindle.

When the spindle 53 is rotated about its longitudinal axis, First block 552 connected to the spindle via the spindle nut 53, corresponding to the direction of rotation of the spindle In the direction of the fixed second block 561, Or moved away from it. By this relative movement Between the two blocks 552 and 561, the First lever 55 is pivoted about the roller 551 by the second lever 56. When the first lever 55 is erected, Upper part 52 of the lifting rail 5 is lifted, correspondingly Inverted movement, a lowering of the Upper part 52. The selected representation with the rollers 54 And 551 is only one possible embodiment, of course The rollers can also be replaced by sliding guides will. Also, of course, the second block 561 can also be used Against the first block 552, ie, for engagement With the spindle 53. It is also The roller 54 at the upper end of the first lever 55 By an articulated direct connection of the first Lever 55 with the upper part 52 of the lifting rail. In case of appropriate determination / non - determination of the others Ends of the two levers 55 and 56 on the lower part 51 So that an additional horizontal component of the movement of the Upper part 52 of the lifting rail 5 is reached For example, to move an insert relative to A seal on the container or for other purposes such as: Notching or latching movements can be used.

The spindle guided by the spindle for its radial guidance is also penetrated Block optional; The corresponding lever can Naturally also directly articulated to the lower part 51 Attached. The block penetrated by the spindle can Can be used not only for radial guidance of the spindle, but also for a radial guidance of the spindle Corresponding configuration of the spindle and the block This also simultaneously supports the abutment in the axial direction Of the spindle. Furthermore, it is possible, in the case of corresponding Design of the spindle counter-rotating threads and a corresponding Spindle nut in each block so that An accelerated relative movement between the two Blocks. It is also possible to do the described The lever system can be moved by means of relative sliding relative to one another Oblique planes or wedges to replace this choice Depending on the lifting weights, the required lifting heights or similar. It should also be mentioned that the spindle 53 Manually or by external force. The External force can be electrical or hydraulic; This depends on the respective boundary conditions. The Effect of the spindle, namely the above described relative movement Can also be produced by correspondingly Arranged hydraulic cylinders can be achieved. Also can Between the upper and lower parts of the lifting rail Hydraulic cylinders are provided, which are directly connected respectively At the lower part and the upper part, and thus the Both parts of the lifting rail.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the lifting rail from FIG. 5, Wherein in this representation the viewing direction with the longitudinal direction Of the spindle (not shown). From these Fig. 7 shows once again how the U-profiles of the upper 52 and the lower part 51 so that the Flanks of the U-profiles in the lowered state of the lifting rail Overlap each other. The resultant sealing of the lifting rail interior Or the lifting device against environmental influences Has already been mentioned in the description of FIG. 3, so that Here a repetition can be dispensed with.