Equipment Transport Bag

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/342,558, filed Jun. 27, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/054,605, filed Nov. 11, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/026,942, filed Jul. 3, 2018, the entire disclosure of each which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention is concerned with equipment containment bag assemblies designed to provide environmentally safe shipping and storage conditions for leaking or otherwise non-performing equipment, such as pole-mounted distribution transformers, switchgear, breakers, and reclosers, equipped with lifting appendages (e.g., lifting lugs, eyes, or hooks). More particularly, the invention is concerned with such bag assemblies having an open-top equipment-receiving bag with an equipment-handling assembly associated with the bag and including at least one load-bearing strap unit designed to engage the at least one lifting appendage, and interconnected bag-supporting sections. In this way, the load-bearing strap units bear the primary loads associated with lifting and handling of equipment within the bag.

Conventional electrical transformers used in power distribution systems include a sealed, oil-filled tank with internal electrical components, such as transformer coils. These transformers also have external hardware, such as mounting equipment, connection busses, and lifting lugs. These transformers are subject to leaking over time, resulting from damage to the transformer tank or from extended use. Such leakages can be environmentally damaging, inasmuch as the oil formulations within the transformers can often include hazardous chemicals (e.g., PCBs). In any event, it is necessary to safely transport failed transformers for disposal or repair, in accordance with governmental regulations. In like manner, other types of equipment, and especially electrical utility equipment, require safe and effective containment and shipping enclosures.

A number of different transformer containment devices have been provided in the past. For example, Andax Industries LLC has commercialized Xtra HD Pole-Mount Transformer Sac™ containment bags, which have large, puncture-proof transformer bags with opposed perforated sections which can be opened to allow access to transformer lifting lugs. However, these bags do not provide any closures for these openings, and accordingly moisture or contaminants can enter the bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,001 describes another type of transformer containment bag which includes a bag with an internal liner and external lifting hoops. These kinds of bags are deficient, and indeed do not meet relevant regulatory standards, because the lifting lugs of the transformers cannot be accessed, thus requiring that the transformers be elevated and moved using only the bag components, which places considerable stress on the overall assemblies.

The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides equipment transport bag assemblies, which allow lifting and handling of equipment having one or more lifting appendages without imposing undue loads upon the equipment bags. To this end, the bag assemblies of the invention comprise an upright bag (which may be of any desired shape or size, such as circular or quadrate) including a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewall structure, the bag presenting an open upper end and configured to receive equipment therein; an equipment-handling assembly is operably associated with the bag and equipment and includes at least one load-bearing strap unit for operably engaging the at least one lifting appendage, with associated structure engaging and supporting the bag so that the equipment is retained within the bag during handling thereof.

In certain embodiments where the equipment includes at least a pair of spaced lifting lugs, the equipment-handling assembly includes a pair of load-bearing strap units each having a first strap section with an arcuate portion configured to engage a corresponding lifting lug, and a second strap section with an arcuate lifting portion, the first and second strap sections operably connected together. Again, the equipment-handling assembly is operably coupled with the bag so that the equipment is retained within the bag during handling thereof. As used herein, “lifting lugs” or “lugs” refer to any type of integrated lifting point(s) associated with the equipment to allow safe lifting and handling thereof. The term “operably connected together” with respect to the strap sections and arcuate lifting sections refers to the fact that these sections may be configured using individual straps which are then interconnected, or from a single strap.

To this end, each of the first lug-engaging strap sections may be formed from a first strap of material having opposed ends, the opposed ends secured to the sidewall structure by stitching or any other suitable technique. Likewise, the second strap sections are formed from a second strap of material having opposed ends, the opposed ends of the second straps secured to the sidewall structure and to the first straps. The load-bearing strap sections may be formed as reverse loops or as bight sections.

In other embodiments where the equipment lifting appendage(s) comprise one or more lifting eyes, typically mounted at the top central region of the equipment. In such cases, the equipment-handling assembly is operably connected with the equipment and the bag and includes at least one load-bearing strap unit operably coupled with the lifting appendage; other structure may be used to secure the bag, such as a separate strap passing through the lifting eye.

Advantageously, in all of the embodiments, the equipment-handling assembly is designed so that the strap units bear a substantial portion of the lifting load, normally at least about 85% of the load of the equipment, and usually essentially 100% thereof. In this way, the bag is not unduly stressed during handling of the equipment, but rather primarily serves as a containment vessel, and bears only the load of its weight and that of any collected fluid therein.

While the drawings do not necessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustrated components or structures,are to scale with respect to the relationships between the components of the structures illustrated therein.

These embodiments are particularly designed for use with equipment such as transformers, which are universally provided with a pair of opposed, side-mounted lifting lugs.

Turning now to, an equipment transport bag assemblyis depicted, which broadly includes an upright, open-top, generally circular in plan bag, together with an equipment-handling assembly. As illustrated, an electrical transformeris received within bag, and has a pair of opposed, outwardly-extending lifting lugs().

The bagincludes a bottom walland upwardly extending sidewall structureterminating in an upper margin. The bagmay be fabricated from any suitable material, but is preferably formed of heavy-duty synthetic resin material, and is substantially leak-proof. As explained below, the function of bagis primarily to contain any spillage of liquid from the transformer, and does not function as the primary load-bearing component during the lifting and handling of the transformer.

The assemblyincludes a pair of opposed, load-bearing strap units, which, in this embodiment, are secured to the sidewall structure. Each such load-bearing strap unithas a first sectionwith an arcuate portiondesigned to engage a corresponding lifting lug, and a second strap sectionwith an arcuate lifting portion.

Each first strap sectionis formed from an elongated first straphaving first and second endsand. As illustrated, the ends,terminate adjacent the upper marginof sidewall structure, with the portionbeing a loopintermediate these ends. Each second strap sectionis formed using a second, generally U-shaped straphaving opposed endsand. The strappresents a central bightand upwardly extending, opposed legs. As shown, the bightextends across bottom wall, whereas the legsextend upwardly along the sidewall structureto the upper margin; from this point, the legsextend further upwardly and then downwardly to form each lifting portionin the form of a loop. The bightand legsare secured to the bottom walland sidewall structure, respectively, by stitching or any other appropriate means.

The first and second strap sectionsandare secured to each other, and to sidewall structureadjacent the upper margin. As illustrated in, the upper end of sidewall structureis sandwiched between the ends,of the first sections, and to the legsand the terminal portions of the lifting portions. Such interconnections are preferably accomplished by means of stitching, but could be achieved by other means, such as by heat welding or suitable adhesive.

The overall equipment-handling assemblyalso includes a pair of opposed, non-load-bearing, bag-orienting strap sectionsand, each having a corresponding arcuate connection portion,. In this case, the strap sections,are formed using a third U-shaped strappresenting a central bight (not shown) and upstanding legs. The bight and legsare secured to the bottomof bagand to the sidewall structurethereof, respectively. The upper ends of each of the legsextend above the marginand are reversed to form loops. Again, the end portion of each loopis secured to sidewall structureby stitching or other appropriate means.

In order to provide further reinforcement for the bag, a pair of circumferentially extending upper and lower straps,extend around sidewall structureand the legs, and are secured thereto.

In order to effectively lift and transport the transformerwithin the bag, an exemplary lift assemblyis employed (). The assemblyincludes a fourth straphaving endmost loops, as well as an identical fifth strapwith endmost loops. A clevis slip hookis secured to each of the loopsand. As shown, the slip hooksof strapare secured to the loops, whereas the slip hooksof strapare secured to the loops. A single hookengages the strapsandat the central regions thereof, and is connected to a further lifting arrangement (not shown) to allow lifting and handling of bagand the transformertherein.

During such lifting and manipulation of bag, it will be appreciated that, owing to the construction of the strap units, these units and the associated lift assemblybear a substantial part of the lifting load, and that the third strap, and the bagitself, bear only a minor portion or none of the lifting load. In effect, the strapand the associated loopsfunction primarily as a means of controlling the bagduring lifting and handling operations. For example, as set forth in, it will be observed that during lifting the transformeris simply contained within bagand does not engage the bagat all. Thus, the strap units bear essentially all of the load of the equipment, while the bagbears its own weight and any fluid collected therein.

illustrate another embodiment in accordance with the invention, which is similar in many respects to the embodiment of. Accordingly, identical parts will be given the same reference numerals. The principal difference between the embodiment ofand that oflies in the fact that, instead of the reverse loopsand, arcuate sectionsandare used. Thus, the second U-shaped straphas legswhich extend upwardly along and are connected to the sidewall structure, but extend further upwardly and laterally to form the arcuate bight sectionsand then extend downwardly along the sidewall structurein spaced relationship to the legs. Similarly, the upwardly extending legsof third U-shaped strapextend further above the marginand then laterally to form bight sections, with the terminal portions of the strapextending downwardly and connecting to sidewall structurein spaced relationship to the legsIn all other respects, the embodiment ofis identical to that of.

depict a third embodiment in the form of a transport bag assemblyincluding an upright, open-top, substantially quadrate in plan bag, together with an equipment-handling assembly. Equipmentis received within bag, and is equipped with side-mounted lifting lugs.

The bagincludes a bottom wall (not shown) together with sidewall structurein the form of four interconnected sidewall panelscooperatively defining an upper margin. The bagis flexible and is formed of appropriate synthetic resin or other suitable material.

The handling assemblyincludes a pair of opposed, load-bearing strap unitssecured to sidewall structure. Each such strap unithas a first sectiondesigned to engage a corresponding lifting lug, and a second strap sectionwith an arcuate lifting portion. Each of the strap sectionsare very similar to the sectionsdescribed above, and include an elongated straphaving a loopwith the strap endssecured to the inner face of sidewall structureadjacent margin. Each strap sectionis made up of an elongated strapsecured to the outer face of sidewall structure, with an extension above marginin the form of a reverse loop. The strap sectionsandare secured to each other, and to bag sidewall structureby stitching or any other appropriate means.

The handling assemblyalso includes a total of four substantially non-load-bearing, bag-orienting strap sectionslocated at the corners of the bag. Each strap sectionincludes an elongated strapsecured to the exterior face of sidewall structureand extending above marginwith a reverse loop. The end of loop sectionis secured to the upper end of strap, and to sidewall structure.

A lift assemblyis provided for lifting and handling of the bagwith equipmenttherein. The assemblyis very similar to that of previously described assembly, and includes a lift straphaving slip hookssecured to the ends thereof and coupled with the loops. Additionally, two other strapsandare provided, each having endmost slip hooks, and designed to couple with the corner loops.

illustrate a still further embodiment of the invention in the form of a bag assembly, which is very similar to that of, and again, like components are identified by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the embodiment ofversus that oflies in the non-load-bearing corner straps. In, a continuous, generally U-shaped strapis provided adjacent each corner of the bag. The strapsinclude an uppermost bightand two downwardly extending legs. The latter are secured to the outer faces of the adjacent sidewall panels, as illustrated. Likewise, the lift assemblydiffers only in the connection of the strapsandto the bights, rather than the loops.

Just as in the earlier embodiments, the strap unitsserve as the primary load-bearing structure, so that the equipmentis separate from the bagwhen elevated.

Each of the embodiments illustrated inmake use of load-bearing strap units having first and second strap sections which are interconnected and secured to the equipment-receiving bag. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these types of constructions. For example, the load-bearing strap units can be formed from a single strap, which may be connected to the bag or pass through a slit or other opening in the bag sidewall, without any direct connection between the bag and the strap units. In the latter case, the bag is lifted with the single strap units and is retained in place by the latter and the bag-orienting strap sections.

These embodiments are especially designed for use with equipment having a central, top-mounted lifting eye, in lieu of or in addition to side-mounted lifting lugs.

illustrates an equipment transport bag assembly, which is useful in connection with equipmenthaving an upstanding, central lifting eye. As in the case of the earlier embodiments, the assemblyhas a bag, here equipped with a pair of opposed, reinforced opening slits,in the sidewall of the bag. The assemblyalso has an equipment-handling assemblyin the form of a first generally U-shaped load-bearing strap unit, which has a lower segmentengaging the eye, and upper loop sectionseach designed to receive a slip hook. The overall assemblyalso includes a bag-supporting straphaving a central sectionpassing through the eye, with outboard side loop sections,passing through the corresponding opening slits,. One end of the strapis equipped with a metallic ring, whereas the other end has opposed Velcro sections allowing passage through ringand connection to itself.

As will be appreciated from this structure, essentially all of the lifting load is borne by the first strap, with the strapsupporting only the weight of the bag.

depicts another equipment transport bag assemblyto be used with the equipmenthaving lifting eye. The assemblyis made up of the bagas well as a modified equipment-handling assembly. The latter has a single strap unithaving terminal loopsand. As shown, the strap unit has a central sectionwhich passes through eye, as well as outboard loops sectionsandrespectively passing through the bag opening slits,. Finally, the straphas third lifting portions in the form of the loops,. Both of these loops are designed to interfit with a slip hook. Again, it will be appreciated that essentially all of the lifting load is carried by the assembly, and little if any of such load is transferred to the bag.