Banding aid

Abstract

Palletized loads utilizing wooden bases having one or more steel bands about the base of the articles loaded or containerized loads having steel or synthetic bands tensioned thereabout to reinforce the container are provided with angle brackets at the corners of the loads about which the steel bands are bent. Each bracket comprises a sheet metal plate formed about an axis to define a pair of angularly related flanges. Each bracket has a pair of shoulders spaced one from the other along the plate to define an area therebetween for prepositioning and retaining the steel strapping when applied to the load. In one form hereof teeth are struck from one flange to lie on the same side thereof as the other flange for embedment into the wooden base or other wooden closure materials utilized to containerize the load. In another form, teeth are struck to provide base, shank and tip portions on one side of the flange whereby the tip portions and portions of the shank may be driven through the slot into the wooden member. In the latter instance, the base portions of the teeth form the shoulders and in others projecting dimples or humps will preposition and retain the retaining strapping on the load.

Description

The present invention relates to containerized loads and to angle or corner brackets for use in prepositioning and retaining steel strapping applied to reinforce the containerized loads.

In material handling, loads are very often containerized. By containerizing a load is meant the stacking or juxtaposing of a plurality of articles, i.e., very often containers per se, and applying one or more steel bands about the plurality of articles to form a unitary load. As used herein, containerizing also means the disposition of articles on a wooden base, for example, a pallet adapted to be lifted by a forklift truck, or the disposition of the articles within a box or crate which completely or incompletely encompasses the plural articles therein. In many situations, the palletized or crated articles are banded by applying steel straps thereabout. It will be appreciated that the bands are tensioned tightly about the load and have a tendency to bind or dig into the articles per se or into the wooden parts forming the pallet or crate at the corners of the load where the bands are bent to extend in different directions. That is, the articles per se, the pallet deckboards, and/or the wooden parts forming the top, sides, or bottom of a crate are very often cut or gouged by these steel banding straps. This results in a loosening of the steel straps whereby such straps shift positions about the load and eventually no longer serve their intended purpose, i.e., restraining the containerized load.

Reinforcing angles have been utilized in the past to prevent cutting into the containers and/or the wood forming the pallets or parts of the crate and are spotted about the containerized or palletized construction to underlie the steel strapping bands at the corners thereof. To the extent that the bands remain in position overlying these steel reinforcing angles, the latter successfully perform their intended purpose. However, not infrequently the reinforcing bands shift laterally and into positions where the band directly overlies the container or the wooden pallet or parts of the crate. The reinforcing angles, under these conditions, no longer serve their intended purpose and in fact serve no purpose at all.

The present invention provides a containerized or palletized construction and/or protective brackets or angles therefor which minimizes or eliminates the foregoing and other problems associated with prior containerized or palletized constructions and/or the brackets or angles utilized for protecting the load from the steel strapping and provides a novel and improved containerized or palletized construction and bracket or angles therefor having various advantages in construction, mode of operation, and use in comparison with such prior containerized or palletized constructions and brackets or angles. Particularly, the present invention provides a bundled, containerized or palletized construction having one or more steel straps encompassing or surrounding a plurality of containers or articles. The containers or articles may be disposed on a pallet or within a wooden crate or the like. Brackets or angles are provided for underlying the straps at the corners of the container construction to preposition and retain the steel strapping in the desired positions. Each bracket is comprised of a sheet metal plate formed about an axis to define a pair of angularly, preferably right angularly, related flanges for overlying the corners of the containerized construction. A pair of shoulders are formed on each bracket to define the area of the bracket designated to underlie the strapping. Particularly, the shoulders position and confine the strap and prevent it from shifting laterally relative to the angle or bracket. Each bracket is provided with integrally formed teeth which are embedded into the wooden parts of the crate or the pallet to secure the bracket thereto. Thus, with each strap confined by the shoulders of the bracket and with the bracket secured to the wooden part or pallet, the strap is fixed relative to the load.

Various forms of brackets or angles are disclosed herein. In one form, a depression is formed in the bracket along its axis and the margins of the depression along the axis define shoulders between which the strap will lie. In another form, protrusions are provided on the angle or bracket at the juncture of the two flanges to define a band-receiving area therebetween. In both of these forms, a plurality of teeth are struck from one of the flanges for embedment into one of the wooden members forming part of the containerized or palletized construction. These teeth are embedded, for example, into the deckboard of a pallet to retain the bracket in its proper position.

In a further form of the present invention, a plurality of teeth each comprising a base, shank and tip portion are struck from at least one of the flanges of the bracket to extend on the side of the bracket remote from the other flange. The base, shank and tip portions form included angles with one another and the tip portion of each tooth is poised for insertion through the slot, formed in the one flange by striking the tooth therefrom, into a wooden member forming part of the containerized or palletized construction. Thus, the bracket can be manually applied simply by hammering the tip portion of each tooth through its slot into a wooden member or part of the palletized or containerized construction whereby the angle or bracket is retained in the desired position. The base portions of the teeth, however, remain on the outside of the bracket and form a pair of spaced shoulders defining an area therebetween for receiving and positioning the band. The base portions of the teeth thus serve to prevent lateral shift of the band to one side or the other of the bracket. This latter form of bracket can be used directly on fragile containers forming part of the load since the nails need not be embedded into the containers. Also, the teeth in this latter form can be provided in both flanges of the bracket whereby it can be utilized as a means of securing adjacent wooden parts of the container, for example, the frame members forming the sides and top of a wooden crate. The base portions of the teeth which project outwardly from both flanges, when the bracket is used in this manner, likewise define guides which preposition the steel strapping and prevent lateral shift thereof.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved containerized or palletized construction and angles or brackets for use therewith.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved angle or bracket for use in prepositioning banding straps applied to containerized or palletized construction and preventing shifting of the straps relative to said construction.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved angle or bracket for use in containerized or palletized constructions wherein cutting, gouging or marking of the containers, the wooden parts forming the same, or the load per se is prevented.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved bracket or angle for use with palletized or containerized constructions wherein the bracket is provided with teeth to preposition the bracket relative to the constructions and, in a variation hereof, to secure discrete wooden members of the construction one to the other.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved palletized or containerized construction wherein the application of steel banding to the construction is greatly facilitated.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a palletized or containerized load illustrating protective brackets or angles underlying the strapping, the containerized or palletized construction and the brackets or angles being constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of a protective bracket or angle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a reduced fragmentary side view of the bracket or angle illustrated in FIG. 2 with the bracket or angle applied to a wooden member forming part of the palletized or containerized load;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of bracket or angle for use in palletizing or containerizing loads;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the bracket or angle illustrated in FIG. 4 and applied to a wooden part forming part of the palletized or containerized construction;

FIG. 6 is a reduced fragmentary view illustrating the bracket or angle of FIG. 4 as applied to a pallet deckboard;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another form of bracket or angle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a still further form of bracket or angle for use with palletized or containerized constructions and for further use as a connector between adjoining parts of the construction;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a containerized load;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further form of bracket or angle constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 11-13 are side, end and plan views respectively of a still further form of bracket or angle constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a palletized load, generally designated 10, comprised of articles 12 stacked and juxtaposed relative to one another for support on a pallet 14. The pallet 14 may comprise a standard pallet consisting of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, stringers 16 and a plurality of deckboards 18 secured in overlying relation to the stringers 16 and extending in a direction normal thereto. As is conventional practice, the stringers 16 are laterally spaced one from the other to provide openings for receiving the tines of a forklift whereby the load can be lifted and transported. Conventionally, strapping 20, formed of steel or synthetic materials such as plastic, or formed of an elastic material, is applied about the articles 12 and the deckboards 18 of the pallet 14 whereby the articles are secured against movement relative to one another and to the pallet 14. Also, as is conventional, angle brackets 22 are provided at the corners of the palletized load to underlie the strapping 20 to prevent the strapping from cutting the articles 12 and/or pallet 14. As noted previously, by utilizing plain angles, the strapping can shift laterally relative to the angles and/or the angles and strapping can shift laterally relative to the load. If this occurs, the articles 12 become loosely secured to the pallet and to one another and may be separated therefrom and/or one from the other rather easily. Moreover, steel straps 20 will usually gouge or cut portions of the pallet deckboards eventually resulting in a pallet which can no longer be used and must be repaired before further use.

The present invention provides various forms of angles or brackets for use in palletized or containerized constructions whereby the straps 20 are prevented from shifting relative to the angles or brackets and also, in several of the forms hereof, the angles or brackets per se are prevented from shifting relative to the pallet or from any other part of the containerized or palletized load to which the brackets or angles hereof are secured. One form of bracket or angle hereof is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and is generally designated 24. Bracket 24 is preferably formed of 18 or 20 U.S. Standard gauge sheet metal and comprises an elongated sheet metal plate bent about its long axis 26 to form two right-angularly related plate portions 28 and 30. A pair of teeth 31 are formed in one of the plate portions 28 and are preferably struck therefrom to project initially on the side of plate portion 28 remote from plate portion 30. Each tooth 31 is struck outwardly of plate portion 28 to form angularly related base, shank and tip portions 32, 34, and 36, respectively. For example, the base portion 32 of each tooth 31 projects outwardly generally at right angles from plate portion 28. Shank portion 34 inclines outwardly from base portion 32 and forms an obtuse included angle therewith. Tip portion 36 is formed relative to shank portion 34 to project inwardly from shank portion 34 toward plate portion 28 whereby tip portion 36 forms an acute included angle with shank portion 34. Tip portion 36 terminates in a chisel-pointed end 38 to facilitate penetration into wooden or plastic member, forming a part of the containerized or palletized load. As illustrated, tip portion 36 is disposed on the side of plate portion 28 remote from plate portion 30 and poised for insertion through the slot 40 in plate portion 28 from which tooth 31 is struck. For reasons which will be apparent from the ensuing description, teeth 31 are formed to project in back-to-back relation one to the other.

To apply the angle or bracket 24 to a wooden member forming a part of the containerized or palletized construction, for example to apply the bracket to a deckboard 18 as illustrated in FIG. 1, bracket 24 is disposed such that plate portions 28 and 30 overlie corresponding angularly related portions of deckboard 18. The bracket or angle 24 is then secured to the deckboard 18 by driving the tip and shank portions 36 and 34, respectively, of each tooth 30 through its corresponding slot 40 into the wooden deckboard 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In driving the shank and tip portions of the tooth into the wooden deckboard 18, it will be appreciated that base portion 32 may be slightly deformed. However, base portion 32 remains projecting outwardly of the plate portion 28 and thereby forms a shoulder. With teeth 31 located adjacent opposite ends of the angle or bracket 24 and such that the base portions 32 are spaced a distance equal to or greater than the width of the steel strapping band 20 utilized on the containerized or palletized construction, such strapping 20 can be disposed about the containerized or palletized construction 10 with portions of the strap located between the outwardly projecting shoulders formed by the base portions 32. Accordingly, with the angle or bracket 24 secured to wooden member or deckboard 18 and the steel strapping portion lying between the outwardly projecting shoulders 32, it will be appreciated that the strapping cannot shift laterally relative to the palletized or containerized construction. Moreover, the wooden member to which the angle or bracket is secured cannot be cut or gouged by the steel strapping in view of the sheet metal angle or bracket interposed between the strapping and the wooden part. The bracket or angle 24 has application as illustrated to the deckboard of a pallet but also may be utilized along the other angularly related portion of the construction having wooden parts forming part of the containerized structure or with parts of the load per se. Also, the bracket 24 can be utilized as a plain angle since the teeth need not be embedded into a member in order for the bracket to be effective to safeguard the palletized or containerized construction from the strapping.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated another form of bracket or angle 24a hereof, comprised of an elongated sheet metal plate bent about an axis 26a to define generally right-angularly related plate portions 28a and 30a. In this form, a pair of teeth 42 are struck from plate portion 28a to project to the like side of plate portion 28a as plate portion 30a projects. Teeth 42 are struck to extend in back-to-back relation one to the other and leave slots 44 in plate portion 28a. The tips of the teeth are scarfed at 46 to provided increased resistance withdrawl when the teeth are embedded into a wooden member forming part of the palletized or containerized construction. Particularly, the teeth 42 bend laterally to a limited extent upon embedment into the wooden member.

From a review of FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the teeth 42 are asymmetrically arranged in the bracket or plate 42a. That is, the teeth 42 are struck adjacent one end of the elongated bracket 24a. This location of the teeth relative to the plate facilitates application of the plate to the wooden member. Particularly, the plate may be held by the end of the bracket free of teeth while a hammer is impacted on the opposite end of the plate and particularly on the plate portion overlying teeth 42 whereby the teeth are embedded into the wooden member as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The bracket or angle 24a is also provided with a pair of projections 48 spaced one from the other along its fold or bend axis 26a. These projections preferably lie equally spaced on opposite sides of the median of the plate and are spaced a distance equal to or greater than the width of the steel strapping 20 utilized in the palletized or containerized construction. When the angle or bracket 24a is applied to a wooden part of the palletized or containerized construction, for example, the deckboard 18 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the steel strapping 20 is disposed between the projections 48. Accordingly, with the angle or bracket 24a secured to the deckboard 18, it will be appreciated that strapping 20 cannot shift laterally past either one of the projections 48. Also, as in the previous embodiment, the strapping is prevented from gouging or cutting the wood during the interposition of the bracket between the strapping and wooden member.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated another form of angle or bracket 24b constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this form, an elongated sheet metal plate is formed about an axis 26b to provide two generally right angularly related plate portions 28b and 30b A pair of teeth 42b are struck from plate portion 28b to extend in back-to-back relation on a like side thereof as plate portion 30b projects. The tips of the teeth are scarf-pointed at 46b. The bracket 24b is thus similar to bracket 24a of the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 4-6 except for the location of the teeth and the manner in which the steel strap is restrained from lateral movement relative to the plate. In this form, the teeth 42b are struck centrally of the plate portion 28b. Also, a depression is formed along the fold axis 26b of plate 24b whereby a pair of shoulders 48b lie in spaced opposition one to the other. Consequently, when plate 24 b is applied, similarly as plate 24a, to the wooden part of the palletized or containerized construction, the steel strapping 20 is disposed to overlie the recess between shoulders 48b. With the angle or bracket 24b secured to the wooden part, it will be appreciated that the steel strapping cannot shift laterally in either direction and will butt one or the other of shoulders 48b upon such attempted shift.

It will be appreciated that the angles or brackets illustrated in the embodiments hereof of FIGS. 1-7, each have teeth formed from one of the angularly related portions of the bracket. The brackets or angles are thus reversible and the teeth may be embedded by utilization of a hammer. Fluid actuated presses may also be utilized rendering the application of the brackets susceptible to automated processes. For example, when the pallets are constructed, the brackets may be secured with the teeth embedded into the underside of the outermost deckboards, the deckboards being thereafter secured to the stringers.

Referring now to the embodiment hereof illustrated in FIG. 8, there is provided a bracket or angle 24c comprised of an elongated sheet metal plate bent about a fold axis 26c to define two angularly related plate portions 28c and 30c. Each plate portion 28c and 30c is provided with a pair of teeth of the type disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. That is, teeth 31c are struck from each plate portion 28c and 30c to project outwardly from the corresponding plate portions with each tooth having base, shank and tip portions 32c, 34c and 36c, respectively. The tip portions 36c terminate in pointed ends 38c poised for insertion through the slots 40c from which the respective teeth are struck.

This angle or bracket 24c is utilized similarly as in the previous embodiments with the outwardly projecting shoulders 32c providing stops against which the strapping butts whereby such strapping is prevented from shifting laterally. Additonally, the angle or bracket 24c can be utilized to join adjacent wooden members in the containerized or palletized construction. For example, in FIG. 9 there is illustrated a containerized construction having wooden framing members 51 forming the side, end, top and bottom panels 50, 52, 54 and 56, respectively. To join the framing members of these panels one to the other, the brackets or angles 24c are applied about their juncture. The teeth 31c projecting from one plate portion 28c are driven through their corresponding slots into one of the framing members 51 of one panel while the teeth 31c of the other plate portion 30c are driven through their corresponding slots and into the framing member of an adjacent panel. Thus, the panels are secured one to the other at their juncture with the projecting shoulders 32c of each pair of teeth providing stops for the steel strapping 20 applied about the panels. Thus, the angles or brackets 24c serve a dual purpose in both joining the angularly related panels one to the other and also preventing loosening or shifting of the steel strapping.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, there is illustrated another form of bracket or angle 24d similar to the bracket illustrated in FIG. 2 hereof. Particularly, bracket 24d comprises an elongated sheet metal plate bent about its long axis 26d to form two right angularly related plate portions 28d and 30d. Teeth 31d are struck from plate portion 28d to project from the side of plate portion 28d remote from plate portion 30d. Each tooth is struck outwardly of plate portion 28d to form angularly related base and tip portions 60 and 62, respectively. Base portion 60 inclines outwardly from plate portion 28d while tip portion 62 inclines inwardly from base portion 60 toward plate portion 28d to form an included angle with base portion 60. Tip portion 62 terminates in a chisel-pointed end and, as illustrated, is poised for insertion through the slot 64 in plate portion 28d from which the tooth 31d is struck. Bracket 24d is also provided with a pair of projections 66 spaced one from the other along its bend axis 26d. These projections are spaced a distance equal to or greater than the width of the strapping utilized whereby the strapping can be confined between the projections similarly as previously stated herein.

Referring now to the embodiment hereof illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, there is illustrated another from of bracket 24e which is similar in construction in all respects to the bracket illustrated in FIG. 10 except for the manner in which the projections 70 are formed along the axis of the plate 24e. In this form, the projections 70 are struck on the underside of each of the plate portions 28e and 30e to form indentations therealong which form shoulders on the opposite side of the respective plate portions. This is particularly illustrated in FIG. 12 and it will be seen that each projection 70 actually comprises a projection projecting from one side of each plate portion on opposite sides of the fold axis.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket for use in banding containerized or palletized constructions comprising a sheet metal plate formed about an axis to define a pair of angularly related plate flanges for overlying similarly angularly related portions of the containerized or palletized construction, one of said flanges having at least a pair of teeth formed to project to one side of said one flange and adapted for embedment into a portion of the container on the same side of said one flange as the other flange projects therefrom, means defining a pair of shoulders spaced one from the other along said plate in the same general direction as said plate axis and defining a band receiving area of said plate therebetween whereby said shoulders are adapted to preclude shift of a band disposed about the containerized or palletized construction in overlying relation to said plate area between said shoulders in the general direction of the plate axis, said shoulder defining means comprising a pair of protrusions projecting outwardly from said plate, said teeth being struck to project to the side of said one flange remote from the other flange and leaving corresponding slots in said one flange, said teeth having angularly related shank and tip portions with the shank portion of each tooth projecting from said shank portion in a direction toward the corresponding slot whereby the tip portions are poised for insertion through their corresponding slots for embedment into a portion of the containerized or palletized construction.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein said protrusions are formed along the axis of said plate.

3. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein said teeth are spaced one from the other along said plate and have portions thereof defining said shoulders.

4. A bracket for use in banding containerized or palletized constructions comprising a sheet metal plate formed about an axis to define a pair of angularly related plate flanges for overlying similarly angularly related portions of the containerized or palletized construction, one of said flanges having at least a pair of teeth formed to project to one side of said one flange and adapted for embedment into a portion of the container on the same side of said one flange as the other flange projects therefrom, means defining a pair of shoulders spaced one from the other along said plate in the same general direction as said plate axis and defining a band receiving area of said plate therebetween whereby said shoulders are adapted to preclude shift of a band disposed about the containerized or palletized construction in overlying relation to said plate area between said shoulders in the general direction of the plate axis, said teeth being struck from said one flange and leaving corresponding slots in said one flange, said teeth being spaced one from the other along said one flange, each of said teeth having angularly related base, shank and tip portions with at least said shank and tip portions of each said tooth overlying the slot from which said tooth is struck, said base portion forming an included angle with said shank portion and said shank portion forming an included angle with said tip portion on the like side of said tooth as the included angle formed by said base portion and said shank portion, said tip portion being receivable through said slot for embedment into a portion of the container with said base portion projecting from the opposite said of said flange from said tip portion when embedded, said projecting base portions defining said shoulders.

5. A bracket according to claim 4 wherein said pair of teeth are struck to lie in spaced, back-to-back relation relative to one another.