DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR ARTICLES

• US 20110169237A1
• Filed: 07/22/2010
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pack Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pack Corporation
• Inventors: Dill, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 8,322,733 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/47.34
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/108 the objects being plates, doors, panels, or the like

Abstract

A device for transporting various articles has a container with a bottom portion and two opposing sidewall portions extending vertically from the bottom portion. A plurality of locating features may be placed within the container, upon a pair of opposing sidewalls. Securing sheets are adapted to fit within the locating features to accommodate a number of different articles. The securing sheets may be flexible so that they can expand to accommodate an article and to provide a compressive-type securing force to keep the article in place once inserted. Some embodiments contain securing sheets which have less vertical height than the sidewall portions of the container so that articles attached to a pedestal can be securely held within the device. A means for rolling the device may be attached to the bottom portion.

Claims

1. A device for transporting articles, the device comprising:

a container having a bottom portion and two pairs of opposing side portions, the container having interior and exterior surfaces;

a plurality of locating features on the interior surface of at least one pair of opposing side portions;

a pair of flexible securing sheets, each sheet having first and second vertical edges and a middle portion,

where the first vertical edge is adapted to fit within a locating feature on one side portion and the second vertical edge is adapted to fit within a locating feature on the opposing side portion, and

where the first and second vertical edges are fixed horizontally within the locating features while the middle portion of the securing sheet is capable of horizontal movement.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a slip-resistant surface on the interior surface of the bottom portion of the container.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a means for rolling the container attached to the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the container.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a lid atop the sidewall portions of the container.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising:

a gap between the securing sheets and the lid.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein:

the gap is between 1.5 and 4 inches.

7. The device of claim 4 further comprising:

a bumper around the perimeter of the lid.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

locking casters on the exterior surface of the bottom portion.

9. A device for transporting articles, the device comprising:

a container with a bottom portion, a first and second pair of opposing sidewall portions extending vertically from the bottom portion at a sidewall height, each portion of the container having an interior and exterior surface;

a plurality of locating features on the interior surface of the first pair of opposing sidewall portions;

a pair of securing sheets, each sheet connecting a locating feature on one of the sidewall portions with a locating feature on the opposing sidewall portion;

a slip-resistant surface on the interior surface of the bottom portion;

a lid atop the first and second pair of opposing sidewall portions; and

wheels attached to the exterior surface of the bottom portion.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the securing sheets having a vertical height which is less than the sidewall height.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising:

a bumper around the perimeter of the lid.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the locating features are vertical slots.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the locating features are spaced between 0.25 and 2.5 inches apart.

14. The device of claim 9 further comprising:

a non-abrasive surface substantially covering the securing sheets.

15. The device of claim 9 further comprising:

a padded layer between the interior surface of the bottom portion and the slip-resistant surface.

16. A device for transporting a substantially planar article attached to a pedestal, the device comprising:

a container having a bottom portion for supporting the pedestal, and a first and second pair of opposing sidewall portions extending vertically from the bottom portion;

a plurality of locating features on the first pair of opposing sidewall portions;

a first securing sheet having a bottom horizontal edge and being vertically inserted into a pair of locating features so that the first securing sheet is adjacent to the planar article while the pedestal is at least partially between the bottom horizontal edge of the securing sheet and the bottom portion of the container; and

a second securing sheet having a bottom horizontal edge and being vertically inserted into a pair of locating features so that the second securing sheet is adjacent to the opposite side of the planar article as the first securing sheet, while the pedestal is at least partially between the bottom horizontal edge of the second securing sheet and the bottom portion of the container.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising:

a slip-resistant surface on the interior surface of the bottom portion of the container.

18. The device of claim 16 further comprising:

a means for rolling the container attached to the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the container.

19. The device of claim 16 further comprising:

a lid atop the sidewall portions of the container.

20. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

a bumper around the perimeter of the lid.