DECKING BEAM RACK APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
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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
whereinthe base is arranged to store said posts in a collapsed condition when beams are removed from said top of the base.
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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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A first rack for holding decking beams which are used to support cargo in transportation vehicles, said rack comprising:
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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
whereinthe base is arranged to store said posts in a collapsed condition when beams are removed from said top of the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of management of decking beams which are used to support cargo in transportation vehicles, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification