Structurally ribbed support component for millwork drying operations

• US 8,371,456 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2010
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krycinski, Stanton L
• Application Number:
  US12/902,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20110100938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.4, 211/27, 211/28, 211/45, 211/49.1, 211/60.1, 211/70.4, 211/189, 211/194, 211/182, 211/183, 34/94, 342/39, 342/40, 341/07, 346/11, 248/346.01, 248/346.02, 248/346.03, 248/678, 432/258
• 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 system for continuous stack drying comprised of:

a plurality of cross members;

a plurality of horizontal stabilizing members;

a plurality of stabilizing stackable block components, each of said stabilizing stackable block components comprised of

a housing having a flattened upper surface, an inner surface, a base opening, a first contoured side, a second contoured side, and two flattened sides, each of said contoured sides having a flange;

wherein each of said flattened sides further include a u-shaped recessed portion disposed on an upper half of said flattened sides, each of said u-shaped recessed portions having a cross member aperture adauted to receive one of said cross members, said apertures being in alignment with each other;

wherein one of said u-shaped recessed portions further includes a stop lip;

a plurality of stacking ribs on the inner surface of each of said plurality of said stabilizing stackable block components adapted to rest on the outer surface of another of said stabilizing stackable block components;

at least two friction ribs on the inner surface of each of said plurality of said stabilizing stackable block components wherein said friction ribs are adapted to physically contact one of said cross members;

a plurality of strengthening inner structural ribs on the inner surface of each of said plurality of stabilizing stackable block components;

wherein said first and second contoured sides further include horizontal stabilizing member aperture adapted receive one of said horizontal stabilizing members and a base protuberance;

a plurality of stabilizing struts, each of said stabilizing struts being removably attachable to one of said cross members and one of said horizontal stabilizing members, wherein each of said stabilizing struts has a forked interlocking end adapted to engaging one of said horizontal stabilizing members and a hooked end to engage one of said cross members.

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

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

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

5. The system of claim 1 where said housing is semi-rectangular.

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

7. A system for continuous stack drying comprised of:

a plurality of cross members;

a plurality of horizontal stabilizing members;

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

a housing having a flattened upper surface, an inner surface, a base opening, a first contoured side, a second contoured side and two flattened sides, each of said contoured sides having a flange;

wherein each of said flattened sides further include a u-shaped recessed portion disposed on an upper half of said flattened sides, each of said u-shaped recessed portions having a cross member aperture adapted to receive one of said cross members, said apertures being in alignment with each other;

wherein one of said u-shaped recessed portions further includes a stop lip;

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

a plurality of friction ribs on the inner surface of each of said plurality of stabilizing stackable block components wherein said friction ribs are adapted to physically contact one of said cross members;

a plurality of strengthening inner structural ribs on the inner surface of each of said plurality of stabilizing stackable block components;

wherein said first and second contoured sides each contain a horizontal stabilizing member aperture adapted to receive one of said horizontal stabilizing members;

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

8. The system of claim 7 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.