Structurally Ribbed Support Component for Millwork Drying Operations

• US 20110100938A1
• Filed: 10/11/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Curtis J. Scadden, Edward A. Raleigh
• Inventors: Scadden, Curtis J., Raleigh, Edward A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,371,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/59.4
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/185 Spacers; Elements for supporting the goods to be dried, i.e. positioned in-between the goods to build a ventilated stack separators for articles packaged in stacks B65D57/00; manipulating spacers for stacking purposes B65G57/005
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/10 in the open air; in pans or tables in rooms; Drying stacks of loose material on floors which may be covered, e.g. by a roof ventilating means of stacks for agricultural produce A01F25/08

Abstract

The present invention is a modular stacking system for continuous stack drying of millwork that is easily transported and takes up a minimal amount of floor space when assembled. The modular stacking system is comprised of modular stabilizing stackable blocks and lightweight cross members which allow the user to create multiple stacking layers. The design of the stackable blocks ensures that the stacking system remains stable even with a large number of layers.

Claims

1. A stabilizing stackable block apparatus for continuous stack drying comprised of:

a housing having a flattened outer surface, an inner surface, and contoured sides, said contoured sides having a flange;

wherein said housing further includes a first cross member aperture and a second cross member aperture adapted to receive a cross member, and a first bottom cross member aperture and a second bottom cross member aperture adapted to fit over a cross member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing has a thickness ranging from 0.100 to 0.150 inches.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of plastic.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of polypropylene plastic.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is semi-rectangular.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contoured sides are tapered.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes at least one base protuberance for supporting a horizontal stabilizing member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a stop lip.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a first horizontal stabilizing member aperture and a second horizontal stabilizing member aperture adapted to receive a horizontal stabilizing member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner surface includes a plurality of friction ribs to provide desired amount of contact with a cross member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner surface further includes a plurality of stacking ribs adapted to rest on the outer surface of a second cross member stabilizing stackable block on which said apparatus is stacked.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said plurality of stacking ribs extend from said inner surface to the top of said flange.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a plurality of structural ribs which provide additional support and strengthen said apparatus.

14. A system for continuous stack drying comprised of:

at least four cross member stabilizing stackable blocks, each of said cross member stabilizing stackable blocks comprised of;

a housing having a flattened outer surface, an inner surface, and contoured sides;

a plurality of stacking ribs adapted to rest on the outer surface of another of said cross member stabilizing stackable blocks;

a flange;

a first cross member aperture and a second cross member aperture adapted to receive a cross member;

a first horizontal stabilizing member aperture and a second horizontal stabilizing member aperture adapted to receive a horizontal stabilizing member;

a plurality of cross members; and

a plurality of horizontal stabilizing members.

15. The system of claim 14 which further includes a plurality of stabilizing struts, each of said stabilizing struts is removably attachable to one of said cross members and one of said horizontal stabilizing members.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said each of said stabilizing struts has a forked interlocking end adapted to engage one of said horizontal stabilizing members and a hooked end to engage one of said cross members.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein each of said cross member stabilizing stackable blocks further includes a plurality of structural ribs which provide additional support and strengthen said cross member stabilizing stackable blocks.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein each of said cross member stabilizing stackable blocks further includes a plurality of friction ribs to provide the desired amount of contact with one of said cross members.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least four cross member stabilizing stackable blocks, said plurality of cross members, and said plurality of horizontal stabilizing members may be stored in a duffel bag.

20. A continuous stack drying apparatus comprised of:

a plurality of cross member stabilizing stackable blocks, each of said plurality of cross member stabilizing stackable blocks having a housing with contoured, flanged sides and at least one aperture adapted to receive a cross member;

a plurality of cross members adapted for insertion into said at least one aperture of said plurality of cross member stabilizing blocks;

a plurality of horizontal stabilizing members; and

a plurality of stabilizing struts, each of said stabilizing struts is removably attachable to one of said cross members and one of said horizontal stabilizing members.