Supports: racks – Special article – Platelike
Reexamination Certificate
2004-01-09
2004-11-23
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Platelike
C211S195000, C206S454000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06820752
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to A-frame for supporting objects, such as glass sheets or other sheet materials, during transport and storage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable, stackable, transportable, A-frame rack with a low center of gravity and improved load securing assembly for storing and transporting materials, such as glass sheets or other sheet materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A-frame structures have long been used to support sheet materials standing on edge. Sheet materials may include construction materials, such as plywood, plaster board or paneling, as well as sheets of glass.
Glass panes, in particular, may be stored in this fashion. Glass is often made in large sheets which are heavy and breakable. Because of glass's weight and breakability, stability and protection of the sheet material while in storage and transit are especially important.
Various techniques are commonly employed for the storage and shipping of glass sheets. Harp or slot racks, for example, may be employed to store individual sheets of material, such as glass. A slot rack consists of a series of vertical partitions between which sheets of glass may be placed on edge for convenient storage. A harp rack is similar to a slot rack except that it employs tensioned vertical cables or wires to separate the individual sheets of material, such as glass. Harp or slot racks are convenient for storing small quantities of glass but require individual handling of each sheet and are not particularly appropriate for transporting glass to another location. Furthermore, these types of racks are not readily adaptable to automated transport devices for moving sheets of material from one location to another.
A further option for the transport and storage of objects, such as sheet of glass or other sheet materials, is the use of A-frame racks. An A-frame rack generally includes two or more A-frames, which take the form of a tall, often truncated, isosceles triangle. The A-frame rack further includes a support at the base upon which glass sheets may be stood on edge and then leaned against the A-frame rack for support. A-frame racks are convenient for stationary storage purposes because once the sheets of glass are in place, they are held by gravity and well protected from falling. Straps or other securing mechanisms are used to hold glass panes when A-frame racks are transported
In the float glass manufacturing process, molten glass is commonly floated in long ribbons, which are cooled and then cut to size and stored until they are ready for the next step in a manufacturing process or for shipping. The cut sheets of glass are commonly loaded one at a time onto one side of an A-frame rack. When one side of the rack is full, the rack is pivoted through 180 degrees to make available the second side for loading. While the second side is loading, the glass on the first side is packaged as desired and moved by means of a crane onto a support for storage until needed.
Thereafter, the glass is unloaded from the A-frame support and loaded onto a truck or other delivery transport, using one of several transportable glass supports, as, for example, another A-frame support. At the delivery location (for example, a manufacturing line for applying a coating to the glass), the glass is again unloaded and positioned so as to be used. The resulting glass is then again loaded onto a support and is moved to, for example, a station where the glass panes are converted into insulating glass (“IG”) units, the glass again being unloaded and reloaded. Finally, the IG units are transported to a plant where they are unloaded and converted into framed windows. Thus, the glass may be repeatedly loaded and unloaded, leading to substantial expense and risk of damage.
A variety of A-frame rack designs already exist that are intended for use in the storage of glass as well as the shipping of glass sheets. When used for shipping, it is common for A-frame racks to be fashioned as reusable structures that are shipped loaded with glass sheets and returned empty. In an effort to minimize shipping costs on the return trip, certain A-frame configurations have been proposed that are intended to be disassembled or collapsed when empty to minimize shipping bulk.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,942 issued to Hansen et al., discloses an A-frame structure that is secured to the floor of the transport vehicle such as a railroad car or a truck. The Hansen A-frame must be secured to the floor prior to loading. Once unloaded, the A-frame may be released from the floor and folded from side to side to a smaller configuration in an accordion-like fashion. The Hansen A-frame may not be transported when loaded, as it is secured to the floor before loading. It is rather complex, and would require several individuals to accomplish its folding and unfolding.
Another A-frame structure is revealed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,329 issued to Crowell et al. The A-frame disclosed in Crowell is intended for the temporary storage of 4 foot by 8 foot sheet construction materials such as plywood, paneling or particle board which, of course, are substantially lighter in weight than glass sheets. In addition, the Crowell A-frame is disassembled for transportation and is not transportable when loaded.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,360 issued to Hilliker et al., discloses a collapsible, stackable A-frame rack intended for transporting large glass sheets. The Hilliker A-frame includes three A-frame stanchions which may be removed from the A-frame base after the A-frame is unloaded. The A-frame stanchions may then be nested on top of the base in a horizontal orientation which allows for the A-frame assembly to be stacked for return transport. An additional aspect of the Hilliker A-frame structure is that the structure is adapted to be transported on a dolly jack which, when positioned beneath the A-frame rack, may lift the A-frame rack. The A-Frame rack and dolly may then be transported by towing. The structure of the Hilliker device causes the lower edges of the glass sheets to be carried a substantial height above the floor. This requires that glass sheets be lifted to a relatively great height for loading and unloading upon the Hilliker A-frame and limits the size of panes that can be loaded under a given ceiling height. Loading of glass from the end of a float glass production line accordingly would be relatively difficult. The collapsed Hilliker A-frame rack includes a multitude of loose parts that must be kept together for return transit and which may be prone to loss.
Another aspect of transporting glass sheets is that of securing the glass during transport to prevent the glass panes from shifting with respect to each other with consequent breakage. A variety of approaches have been taken including the use of wedges, brackets, and straps to restrain the glass sheets during transit.
Strapping is probably the most commonly employed approach to securing glass sheets during transit. Strapping is typically stretched over the material to be restrained and then tensioned by a ratcheting mechanism. A number of currently existing strapping schemes exist which may allow adjustment of the location of one end of the strap by sliding it along a channel. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,805 (Allen et al.), discloses a strapping mechanism for use with a roof top carrier. One end of the strapping mechanism may be slid along a channel to various locations to compensate for the width of the load.
Another strapping mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,171 (Millhoan). This patent discloses a sliding strap retainer and compression block. The compression block includes a pair of spaced plates that are mountable at the base of an A-frame rack. The plates each have a pair of holes for selectively positioning the block on the base by aligning the holes of each plate with a hole in each base of the frame while biasing the block against the sheets of glass. Thereafter, a strap is secured at one end to the block and at the other end to the top of the
Jeskey Marion Michael
Wade Michael Jeffery
Cardinal CG Company
Fredrickson & Byron PA
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