U.S. patent application number 13/180624 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for decking beam rack apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Brain C. Kern, Karl C. Kern.
Application Number | 20110270785 13/180624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42318301 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110270785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kern; Karl C. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2011 |
DECKING BEAM RACK APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
A method for management of conventional decking beams
incorporates unique racks with special features facilitating the
organization, storage, protection, and shipping of decking beams
when the decking beams are not in use supporting shipments of
cargo. Additional features facilitate stacking of racks when loaded
with beams; and for stacking of empty racks themselves in minimal
space for their storage or transportation when not in use.
Identification of beams and of racks for wireless location-tracking
is included.
Inventors: |
Kern; Karl C.; (Plainfield,
IN) ; Kern; Brain C.; (Plainfield, IN) |
Family ID: |
42318301 |
Appl. No.: |
13/180624 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12354017 |
Jan 15, 2009 |
8002128 |
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13180624 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/500 ;
410/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00273
20130101; B65D 2519/00631 20130101; B65D 2519/00288 20130101; B65D
2519/00691 20130101; G06Q 99/00 20130101; B65D 2519/00293 20130101;
B65D 2519/00233 20130101; B65D 2519/00343 20130101; B65D 2519/00323
20130101; B65D 2519/00562 20130101; B65D 2519/00268 20130101; B65D
2519/00676 20130101; B65D 2519/00656 20130101; B65D 2519/0096
20130101; B65D 2519/00641 20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D
2519/00338 20130101; B65D 2519/00059 20130101; B65D 19/12 20130101;
B65D 2519/009 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101; B65D 2519/00164
20130101; B65D 2519/00094 20130101; B65D 2519/0097 20130101; B65D
2519/00318 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/500 ;
410/44 |
International
Class: |
B60P 3/40 20060101
B60P003/40; G06Q 90/00 20060101 G06Q090/00 |
Claims
1. A first rack for holding decking beams which are used to support
cargo in transportation vehicles, said rack comprising: an elongate
rectangular base having a footprint length sufficient for the base
to retain said decking beams within the footprint of the base when
the beams are placed on top of the base lengthwise of the base, and
the base having a footprint width sufficient to retain a layer of
said decking beams placed on the top of the base side by side; four
sockets in a rectangular pattern on the base; four posts, each of
said posts received in a different one of said four sockets, said
posts normally vertically disposed in said sockets to retain said
beams within the footprint of the base when the beams are in place
on the top of the base; and wherein the base is arranged to store
said posts in a collapsed condition when beams are removed from
said top of the base.
2. The rack of claim 1 and wherein: the posts and sockets are in
four corners of the base; the posts are removable from the sockets
to enable collapse of said rack for storage of the rack; and the
base has storage space in the base to receive and contain said
posts when removed from the sockets.
3. The rack of claim 2 and wherein said posts have longitudinal
axes, and slots extending parallel to said axes, the rack further
comprising: end panels received in said slots to limit said beams
from moving lengthwise outside the footprint of the base, and
wherein said end panels are removable from said slots; and said
base has a storage area sized to receive and store said end panels,
when removed from said slots for storage of said rack.
4. The rack of claim 3 and further comprising: post tops shaped to
facilitate reception and retention of another rack stacked on top
of said first-mentioned rack; and a stabilizer bar receivable on
said post tops to extend across the space between tops of two of
said posts to stabilize said two posts for facilitating loading of
said another rack onto said first-mentioned rack.
5. The rack of claim 1 and wherein said base portion includes: an
upper frame portion which is elongate, for receiving and supporting
decking beams on it for storage and transport of said decking
beams; at least one lower frame portion having a bottom surface for
placement on a floor surface for supporting said upper frame
portion spaced above said floor surface; spaced side members of
said upper frame portion; spaced front and rear cross members
extending through space between said side members and fixed to said
side members; and said posts are normally disposed in a vertical
attitude at locations on said side members for inhibiting fall of
decking beams over side members of said first rack, said posts
being movable from a vertical attitude enabling support of an
additional rack, toward horizontal attitude for collapsing said
first rack.
6. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: said upper frame portion has a
length of between 96 and 106 inches, and width between 35 and 48;
and the height of said rack from said bottom surface of said lower
frame portion to upper ends of said posts when said posts are
disposed in said vertical attitude is between 30 and 48 inches.
7. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: said sockets are on said lower
frame portions; said posts have lower ends received in said
sockets; and said posts are removable upward by hand from said
sockets for storage.
8. The rack of claim 7 and wherein: said storage space is between
said upper frame portion and said lower frame portion for receipt
and storage of at least some of said posts after removal of said
posts from said sockets.
9. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: said posts are pivotally
mounted to said upper frame portion to pivot from said vertical
attitude downward toward said horizontal attitude for collapsing
said rack.
10. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: certain ones of said sockets
are shaped to receive ends of said posts entered into said certain
sockets from above and from below said certain ones of said
sockets, and prevent said post ends from movement in directions
transverse to longitudinal axes of said posts.
11. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: said upper frame side members
have upper surfaces about six inches from said bottom surface of
said lower frame portion.
12. The rack of claim 5 and wherein: said upper and lower frame
portions are vertically spaced at sides and ends of said upper
frame portion, providing openings at the sides and ends of said
rack to receive lifting forks of a fork-lift truck to positions
under the upper frame portion for a single fork-lift truck to lift
the rack from either side or either end of the rack.
13. The rack of claim 12 and further comprising: a pair of end
posts at each end of the upper frame portion, and supporting panels
closing the respective ends of said upper frame portion above said
openings at the ends of said upper frame portion, to inhibit
decking beams when resting on said upper frame portion, from
sliding lengthwise.
14. The rack of claim 13 and wherein: said side posts are foldable
and end posts are removable to enable stacking of said upper frame
portions with said posts and panels flat to minimal height for
transporting racks without decking beams on them.
15. The rack of claim 5 and further comprising: an identifier
device mounted on one of said frame portions to facilitate wireless
identification of said rack.
16. A method of management of decking beams which are used to
support cargo in transportation vehicles, comprising: keeping track
of counts of decking beams and locations of decking beams in an
inventory of decking beams under management; keeping track of
decking beams in use transporting merchandise; keeping track of
decking beams being transported but not being used; keeping track
of decking beams stored in storage racks moveable by fork lift
truck; and responding to customer requests for decking beams by
reporting to the customer, the availability, and location, and
providing for pick-up or delivery of decking beams.
17. The method of claim 16 and further comprising: using wireless
location determination system for locating said racks.
18. The method of claim 16 and further comprising: providing on
each of said decking beams, a unique identifier different from the
others of said decking beams, for tracking individual decking
beams.
19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising: providing for
tracking said decking beams, communication with a wireless
location-determination system responsive to said identifiers.
20. The method of claim 18 and further comprising: using bar coding
on said beams for said identifiers.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/354,017, filed Jan. 15, 2009, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For shipping freight by land, sea or air, it is usually
desirable to maximize the density of packing, within the available
cargo space and the load carrying ability of the transporter. But
packing density also may be limited by the nature of the materials
themselves or the nature of the packaging of the materials being
shipped. Otherwise materials or packaging can be crushed.
[0003] To address this issue in transporters such as trailers for
hauling over land and in ocean shipping containers and, possibly,
in air freight planes, they are equipped with horizontal and/or
vertical slotted tracks on the inside surfaces of facing walls of
the cargo space. These slots are used to receive ends of decking
beams extending across the space between the walls of the trailer
or container.
[0004] Decking beams, sometimes referred to as load bars, load
beams, logistics bars or logistic beams, for example, are optional
equipment; they are not part of a trailer or container. They may be
the property of the carrier or the property of the shipper. Usually
decking beams are in the form of a tube or a bar, usually made of
aluminum or steel, with an end piece "footer" extendable at each
end and which has a hook or some other connector which can be
fitted in the slots in the tracks at facing walls in the cargo
compartment. An example of a decking beam and installation more
than thirty years ago, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,174. A
more recent system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,667 issued
Aug. 24, 1999. The beams may be mounted at selectable heights to
best accommodate the nature and size of the cargo to be
transported, to minimize or eliminate stacking of packages or
pallets of cargo. The beams are spaced along the length of the
cargo space at locations appropriate for the cargo to be supported.
Their function is to increase load capacity of the transporter
without excessive stacking of cargo.
[0005] Decking beams are produced by several manufacturers. The
dimensions of a decking beam are approximately
2.5''.times.4''.times.94'' when the "footers" at opposite ends are
retracted. The weight of a decking beam is approximately thirty
pounds each. They must be manually set in place during the loading
process and manually removed during the unloading process. We
believe it would be advantageous to have the beams conveniently
stored in a rack that can be moved along a loading dock or from
door to door in a warehouse, to be in close proximity to the site
of loading or unloading a trailer or container. In addition, many
loads that utilize decking beams are one-way moves. In such cases,
if the trailer is to return empty to the point of origin, it may be
necessary that the beams go along with it, for re-use without being
actually used during the return trip. Return trips without loads
are not productive. There is a need for better management of
decking beams. The present invention is directed to meeting this
need.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a new decking beam
rack.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an end view thereof.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view thereof, loaded with decking
beams.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an end view thereof, loaded with decking
beams.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of two decking beam racks of another
new decking beam rack, with one of the two racks stacked on the
other of the two racks and without any decking beams on the
racks.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the
upper rack taken at line 7-7 in FIG. 6 and viewed in the direction
of the arrows.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of a fragment of a bottom
rail socket location as viewed (without post 47) at line 8-8 in
FIG. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.
[0014] FIG. 9 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 and
without any decking beams on it and some posts stored within
it.
[0015] FIG. 10 is view of an end panel removed from the rack.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a top view of the decking beam rack showing some
decking beams of a first layer resting on the top frame of the rack
but not yet lined up; and showing schematically, an example of
fork-lift truck access at an end and at a side of the rack.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a top view with the decking beams on the rack and
showing lifting forks at both ends of the rack, and side posts
stored beside the fork receiver opening in one end as in FIG.
9.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 8 but showing a section through
a solid socket welded into a frame side member.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but without the beams
and stored posts, but showing end panels stored on the upper frame
above the areas where the posts can be stored inside as in FIG.
12.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a wireless
rack-tracking system.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a wireless
decking-beam identifying system.
[0022] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a portion of a rack
according to a third embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the rack of FIG. 17.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the rack of FIG. 17.
[0025] FIG. 20 is an enlarged elevation view of an end post for the
rack of FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0026] An embodiment of an aspect of the present invention includes
a decking beam rack used to organize, store, protect, and ship
decking beams when they are not in use.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the decking beam rack includes a
rectangular frame 11, with legs 12 providing some support for the
frame 11 at a height about four inches above some surface such as a
loading dock or warehouse floor. The four legs 12 have stacking
cups 13 at their lower ends and which have downwardly-opening
cavities 13C in them. Runners or skids 14 are fixed to the frame 11
at the ends and at the stacking cups. Braces 15 are secured to the
runners and frame between the end of the frame and the legs. The
upturned front face 14F of the runners is useful to serve as a
bumper. The legs, cups, runners and braces provide lower framework
supporting the frame 11.
[0028] Intermediate posts 16 are pinned at 17 to the upper ends of
the legs to enable pivoting the posts downward in the direction of
the arrows 18 when the rack is empty and collapsed for stacking of
racks in temporary storage. This feature can also be used when
decking beams are being loaded onto or unloaded from either side of
the rack.
[0029] End panels 19 are provided at each end of the rack. Each of
them has a set of vertically spaced horizontal bars 21 mounted in a
pair of posts 22 mounted in the upstanding sockets 23 in the frame
ends. These panels can be removed by simply pulling the posts out
of the sockets. Then the panels can be laid on the frame when the
posts 16 are folded down to collapse the rack. Or, the end panels
can be hinged like the posts 16 to fold down to be in the same
horizontal plane as the intermediate posts for convenient stacking
of empty racks on each other to store at the manufacturer's site
for shipment from the manufacturer to a customer, and at any other
time when the racks might not be in use.
[0030] The tops of the posts 16 are tapered, preferably in a
frusto-pyramidal shape at 16C, to receive the stacking cups of
another rack mounted above the one as shown in the dotted lines in
FIG. 3. This feature is useful when the racks are loaded with
decking beams and waiting in a warehouse, loading dock, or in a
transport trailer or container, or in transit from an origin to a
destination.
[0031] Considering the size and shape of the rack, expected to be
approximately 48 inches wide, 32 inches tall if to be stacked three
high in a truck, or 48 inches high if to be stacked two high, and
98 inches long in one model, or 104 inches long in another, to hold
about eighty decking beams, provision is made for easy movement and
control of it by a fork-lift vehicle. This includes a fork receiver
24 (FIG. 5) near each end of the frame and which includes a
generally U-shaped guide 25 with a center guide rail 26, all fixed
to frame cross-members such as 27 at the end, and 28 spaced from
the end. The racks can be stacked as indicated by the dotted lines
in FIG. 3.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 14, FIG. 6 shows another
embodiment of decking beam racks. Rack 31 is on the floor 32, and
rack 33 is supported by rack 31. Rack 31 is almost identical to
rack 33 so a description of rack 31 will suffice for both. The rack
has an upper frame 34 comprising upper side rails 36 and upper end
rails 37 (FIG. 6). It also has four cross members 38 (FIGS. 6, 11
and 12) welded to the side members. There is also bottom framework
extending from both ends of the rack toward the center. There are
two end box frames 41. A description of one will suffice for both.
It includes bottom rails 42, one at each side of the rack, with
tying cross members 43 at locations directly under the cross
members 38 of the upper frame. An arm 44 is fixed to and extends
upward from each of the rails 42 at the ends of the rack and
supports the end rail 37 of the upper frame. A lower end rail 46
(FIGS. 6 and 9) extends across the frame between the junctions of
side rails 42 and columns 44.
[0033] Intermediate removable posts 47 are provided at four
locations on the rack. These posts are tubes of rectangular cross
section and are received through holes 50 at four locations in the
frame side members 36. The same type of construction is provided
for the upper frame side members 49 of the upper rack. The upper
and lower ends of each of the posts are frusto-pyramidal shaped and
received in sockets of the same shape in the rails 42 of the rack
31. The detail of this feature is best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
showing the detail of one of the sockets in the lower side rail 48
of the upper beam rack 33 in FIG. 6. With the lower and upper side
rails 48 and 49, respectively of the upper rack, both of which are
of rectangular tube cross section, the hole in the upper rail 49 is
large enough for the post 47 to slide through the hole. The
frusto-pyramidal lower end 52 of the post is received in the
similarly-shaped socket upper wall 53. The tapers between the
socket wall and the post wall are of a non-locking wedge such that,
when desired to remove the post, it can be removed from the socket
for storage, but when needed to be stable in the socket it will be
sufficiently tight to confine beams stacked (as in the FIG. 4
embodiment) and support the load of an upper rack of beams on the
upper end of such post. Thus, while it is a stable wedge
connection, it is not locking.
[0034] The ends of all the posts are shaped alike so that the posts
can be used with either end serving to be stable in a socket in
which it is received, whether it is in the lower one of the two
racks or in the upper one of the two racks or in more racks if
needed for storing beams in multiple superimposed (stacked)
racks.
[0035] Referring further to FIGS. 7, 8 and 13, the socket detail at
53 in FIG. 7 can be a formed-in piece welded or otherwise secured
in the tube 48 with an opening 56 between the lower end of the post
47 above it and the upper end of the post 47 below it. Other
construction may also be used. An example is in FIG. 13 where a
solid block 57 having upper and lower post receiver cavities 58 and
59, respectively, are formed in it to receive the lower end of an
upper post and the upper end of the lower post. This block 57 may
be an insert slid into place from one end of the rail 42 for the
lower rack (48 for the upper rack) and welded in place aligned with
openings 61 and 62 provided in the upper face and lower face of the
rail 48, respectively, and, the block 57 welded in place in the
tubing. One alternative to that assembly style is to cut the tube
42 and weld the block between the cut ends of the tube 42. Other
means of providing a socket may also be devised. While the upwardly
opening and downwardly opening sockets are intended to have
interfitting tapers with the tapers of the posts 47, they are not
intended to be interlocking. Therefore, while the connections of
the posts to the sockets make the posts immovable longitudinally or
laterally of the rails 42 and 48, the posts can be readily pulled
vertically from the sockets to facilitate removal from the racks
and storage of the posts between the top and bottom frame cross
members of a rack as shown in FIG. 9.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, there is provided room for storage of
four of the intermediate posts 47 between the top frame cross
members 38 and the bottom frame cross members 43 and 46, at each
end of the frame. For this embodiment of the rack, a lift-fork
receiver tube is provided in each by the upper frame cross members
and lower frame cross members and side guides 63 and 64 (FIG. 9)
so, as shown in FIG. 11, the lifting forks 66 and 67 of the
fork-lift truck 68 can enter in the direction of arrow 69 and pick
up a rack empty or loaded with decking beams 71, for example, and
move it across a storage yard, a loading dock or floor of a
warehouse or into or out of a semi-trailer, for example. Similarly,
a fork receiver 70 can also be provided in the same way at the
opposite end of the rack.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an option in that the
bottom side rails 42 of the lower rack, end at intermediate cross
members 43, but the lower side rails 48 of the upper rack are
continuous. Entry of lift forks from either side or end of the
racks is indicated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The space 72 between cross
members 43 at the bottom frame portions 41 of the lower rack
provides more vertical space for entry of the lift forks to engage
the bottom of the upper frame rail 36 and either intermediate rail
39 or 40 on either side of the rack. Lift fork entry at the sides
of both FIG. 6 versions, of the rack is ample. Similarly, either
version of the rack can be used as the bottom rack in a stack of
racks loaded with beams.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an illustration of the end panel 74 which is
constructed in essentially the same manner as that shown in 17 in
FIG. 3. It has end posts 76 which can be constructed as are
intermediate posts 47 and received in sockets 77 in four corners of
the upper frame. The sockets 77 are provided only in the upwardly
opening direction and are otherwise similar to those provided as
shown FIGS. 7, 8 and 13. Crossbars 78 are vertically spaced along
the end posts 76.
[0039] For use of the rack for storage of decking beams, they may
be placed on the rack by hand or by machine and extend the length
of the rack. The intermediate posts can be placed in the sockets on
the rack whenever desired by the loaders. Similarly, the end frames
74 may also be installed at the preference of the loaders to retain
the beams when in place between the end frames when the rack is
moved forward or backward.
[0040] If, and when, it is necessary to store the racks themselves
without beams on them, the racks can be readily converted to a flat
configuration and stored in stacks. For this purpose, the four
intermediate posts 47 are pulled out of their sockets and all four
can be inserted into the one end of the rack as shown in FIG. 9 or
two can be inserted at each end. The opposite end portions of the
posts are supported by lower frame cross members 46 and 43. The end
panels 74, being flat, can be placed flat on top of the cross
members 38 and end members 37 in the top of the frame. Therefore,
as an example, if the assembly of one rack erected with the
intermediate posts 47 and end panels 74 installed, is 30 inches,
but the total height of just bottom frame 42 and top frame 36 is
about six inches, the storage of the end panels 74 on top of the
cross member 38 makes a total height of the rack when converted to
storage, about eight inches. Therefore, numerous empty racks can be
stacked in a reasonable area and height in a warehouse or
transported from place to place in a semi-trailer or on a
wagon.
[0041] In FIG. 15, there is a schematic representation of a
tractor, semi-trailer combination containing seven beam racks which
do not have any beams on them. Each of such racks would have a
unique identifier "R" (FIG. 11) bearing a number or letter or other
combination of features for identifying this rack and
distinguishing it from all other decking beam racks. The
identifiers can be useful in association with one or more
satellites 86 of a global positioning system (GPS), or other
wireless location determination system, to identify that rack in
that trailer in transit, thus locating the rack relative to a
control center 87.
[0042] In FIG. 16, the schematic representation includes beams
loaded on the racks in the semi-trailer 82. Each beam 71 has a
unique identifier device "B" (FIG. 4) bearing a number or letter or
other combination of features for identifying that beam and
distinguishing it from all other beams. The identifiers can be
useful in association with a wireless locating and identifying
system such as mentioned above for finding and identifying not only
the racks, but also for the beams as well.
[0043] A variety of technologies is available for such functions. A
useful guideline for selection of equipment is that it be RFID
(radio frequency identification devices) compatible. In addition to
use of such a system for tracking and identifying while racks
and/or beams are in transit, it can be useful at a control center
81 at a warehouse or some shipping terminal where beams 71 or
racks, loaded or empty might be stored, for keeping an inventory,
and for finding their particular locations as they are moved around
in an area in which radio frequency identification devices (RFID)
can be used.
[0044] In FIGS. 17-20, a third embodiment of decking beam rack and
components is shown. In this embodiment, a base 91 is provided with
four post sockets in the corners. Viewing the rack in the direction
of arrow 89, there is a base 91, a right-hand post 92, a left-hand
post 93, and similar posts at the opposite end of the rack. For
example, as shown in FIG. 19, a hole 94 extends from the bottom of
the base to the top of the base at the end of the rack. The upper
portion of this hole 94 is typically square in cross-section, and
receives the bottom portion 97 of the post 92. The post has a
flange 98 which extends from the outer face of the post inwardly
toward the center of the rack. This flange provides a slot 93S
which faces post 93 and receives an end panel 101 (FIG. 18) closing
the end of the rack. The post 93 is of construction like that of
post 92 but with the slot facing the slot in post 92. So it
cooperates with post 92 in holding the panel 101 which can be
raised out of the slot or installed in the slot, when desired.
[0045] The length of the rack between end panels 101 is great
enough (about 98 inches) to contain decking beams useful in highway
trailers operating in the United States. The end posts are about
three inches square. Considering the fact that decking beams are
made by numerous manufacturers, and are not always of exactly the
same length, the end posts are each provided with a side extension
panel such as 102 fixed to the post. These are about 3 inches wide.
If decking beams a bit shorter than standard are encountered, these
post extensions in the direction of arrow 89 will confine the beams
to prevent them from falling off the sides of the rack. Since this
embodiment of the rack is intended to be capable of supporting
another fully loaded rack on top of it, a lower portion 103 of the
socket 94 is a frusto-pyramidal shape to be received on the
frusto-pyramidal top portion 104 of the post 92 under it. The lower
ends of the flange 98 at 98B, and of the extension panel 102 at
102L rests on top of the base at 91U supporting the post on the
base. A stabilizer bar 106 has a hole 107 at each end of the bar.
These holes are sized and shaped (usually square) to be received on
the rectangular portion of the stem at the top of the posts to
maintain a fixed spacing between the upper ends of the posts when
another rack is mounted on this rack in a manner similar to that
shown in FIG. 3 for the first embodiment of the invention, and in
FIG. 6 for the second embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG.
20, the end of the stabilizer bar serves as a collar resting on top
of the post 92 and which is available to support the bottom 91B of
any rack that is stacked on top of this first rack.
[0046] The base of the rack has two longitudinally-extending
channels, or tubes 109 (if desired) to receive the lifting forks of
a fork-lift truck from either or both ends, if desired. Similarly,
there are two transverse extending channels or tubes 111 to enable
access of lifting forks for lifting of the rack from either side of
the rack with a fork-lift truck.
[0047] After use of the rack for storing or transporting beams, the
rack can be collapsed for convenient storage or transportation of
the racks themselves if and when needed. For this purpose, the end
panels 101 can be lifted out of their slots 93S and placed flat on
the central storage area 112, fitting between the transverse ribs
113 on the base 91. The ribs are high enough to fit both end panels
101 on top of each other between the ribs. Also, in order to
prevent sliding of the stored panels off the sides of the rack,
rails 114 are provided between the ribs 113 at each side of the
rack. For storage of the stabilizer bars and end posts, there are
compartments 116 extending inward from each end of the rack and
having a door 117 at each end, closing the compartment. So two
posts and one stabilizer bar can be stored in each of the
compartments, from each end of the rack. If it happens that the
overall length of the storage compartment 116 will not accommodate
the approximately 44 inches length of the stabilizer bar, a hinge
can be provided at 106B to enable folding to fit in the storage
compartment long with the posts whose overall length from end to
end is typically more than 32 inches but less than 42 inches. As
mentioned above, the overall cross-sectional dimension of the
posts, excluding the flange 98 and extension panel 102, is three
inches by three inches. As mentioned above for the
previously-described embodiments, the tapers on the posts and
sockets are non-locking to avoid a jamming which could otherwise
make it difficult to remove the upper rack from the lower one of a
pair of stacked racks. It might be noted, particularly from viewing
FIG. 18, that the post 92 on the right-side of the rack at the
left-end end is of the same configuration as the post on the left
side of the rack on the opposite end. This feature accommodates the
end panels 101 at each end of the rack. It also provide an
effective side margin for containment of the beams on the rack at
both ends so that, beams from various manufacturers and which may
have some differences in manufacturing tolerance, will still be
contained within the side margins defined by lines between the
extension panels at each end of the rack.
[0048] For purposes of example but without limitation, the overall
length L-1 of a rack is preferably from 96 to 98 inches for use
with beams used in trucks. It is 110 to 118 inches for transporting
decking beams of a length useful in railway cars. The overall width
W-1 of the rack for use in trucks is preferably 48 inches, while
the overall width of racks for use in railway cars is 50-54 inches.
The distance D-1 between the rails 113 for storage of the end
panels 101 is preferably 32 inches to easily accommodate the height
of the panel 101 from the top 91U of the base and the top of the
slot in the post. The overall height of the base 91 from the bottom
91B to the top 91U is about nine inches. While the majority of the
material of construction of the base, the posts and the stabilizer
bars is preferably fabricated steel plate, other materials may also
be found suitable. A variety of materials may be used for the end
panels 101. Plywood, sheet metal, solid or perforated or "expanded"
metal grating or other materials suitable for endwise location and
retention of a load of beams can be used. Material having openings
in it can be helpful for manually counting beams in a load, as is
true of the other racks. Similarly to the other racks, unique rack
identifying indicia such as "R" can be employed on this rack.
[0049] It can be seen that this rack is totally collapsible from
its erect condition for storing and shipping decking beams, and
stacking racks loaded with beams, to its collapsed condition for
stacking empty racks on top of each other.
[0050] In summary, the decking beam racks disclosed above are
storage and shipping devices to address the various problems
mentioned above in dealing with decking beams.
[0051] The racks can be collapsed when not in use, for more
efficient shipping and storage of empty racks.
[0052] The racks can be easily moved from either direction with a
forklift truck.
[0053] The racks provide users of decking beams with a convenient
and mobile storage unit in a warehouse environment and also may be
handled with a standard size forklift for ease of loading into
trailers, vans, or containers for efficient shipping of decking
beams.
[0054] Because of the relatively uniform width of trailers and
containers on public highways in the United States, decking beams
are of relatively the same length and so the decking beam racks
herein would be compatible to virtually all commercial trailers and
containers.
[0055] The decking beam rack can be knocked down (for storage when
not in use), or set-up for loading/unloading (of the beams in and
out of the rack) or set-up for shipping (of the rack full of beams
in and out of the trailer or container).
[0056] The decking beam rack will serve users of decking beams by
providing:
[0057] 1. Protection from damage of the beams.
[0058] 2. Organization of beams into handle-able quantities.
[0059] 3. Mobility of beams inside the warehouse with a standard
forklift.
[0060] 4. Efficient transport between warehouses on trailers or
containers.
[0061] 5. Inventory control since beams may be counted from one
end.
[0062] Various materials suitable for the racks are readily
available. For example only, but without limiting choices, steel
tubing of rectangular cross section or steel plate can be suitable.
Examples of technology useful for wireless identification and
location work can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,809, and
Application No. US 2007/0040677. There are many others.
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