Supports: racks – Tray – Serially supported
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2001-09-18
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Tray
Serially supported
C211S041100, C410S032000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290076
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a shipping tower. More particularly, the invention relates to shipping towers constructed from laminated paper and which are capable of being readily disassembled and reassembled.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Metals carts have long been used as a means of shipping trays of items, for example, plants, from one location to another. These carts are generally constructed from various metals, for example, galvanized metal or stainless steel, for extended use. The metal carts on casters are moved from one location to another as needed, and are stored on location until such a time that they are required for shipping. If, however, a location requires a metal cart for a shipment, and no metal carts are stored at the location, the location must order additional metal carts and wait for their delivery.
With this in mind, prior metal carts have many shortcomings. They are expensive to manufacture and maintain, they require substantial storage space if one is to maintain a ready supply of metal carts and they may not be readily available when one needs to ship products.
In addition to metal carts, plants are often transported through the use of corrugated cartons. However, such containers are often placed on their sides or upside down during transit, destroying the plants contained with the cartons.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved shipping device or system in the form of the present shipping tower. The shipping tower is inexpensive, easily stored and shipped, and readily available for use at locations where metal carts or corrugated cartons are not normally stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower. The shipping tower includes at least four uprights defining a rectangular, upwardly extending space, wherein first and second uprights face third and fourth uprights. A plurality of cross members link the plurality of uprights to form a stable upstanding structure. A first plurality of support arms are secured between the first upright and the second upright and a second plurality of support arms are secured between the third upright and the fourth upright. The support arms of the first plurality of support arms are respectively aligned with the support arms of the second plurality of support arms so as to form shelves upon which trays may be positioned for shipment thereof. The four uprights, the plurality of cross members, the first plurality of support arms and the second plurality of support arms are formed from laminated paper.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein staples respectively couple the four uprights to the cross members.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein each of the uprights has a U-shaped cross section with a closed end connecting first and second extending ends, and the closed end of the first and second uprights face the closed end of the third and fourth uprights.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the first plurality of support arms are secured to the closed ends of the first and second uprights and the second plurality of support arms are secured to the closed ends of the third and fourth uprights.
It is also another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein each of the first plurality of support arms are L-shaped and each of the second plurality of support arms are L-shaped.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower including a self centering central section.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein an over wrap is applied to the four uprights, the plurality of cross members, the first plurality of support arms and the second plurality of support arms.
It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the plurality of cross members includes four cross members.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the first cross member is coupled to a top end of the first upright and a top end of the third upright, the second cross member is coupled to a bottom end of the first upright and a bottom end of the third upright, the third cross member is coupled to a top end of the second upright and a top end of the fourth upright, the fourth cross member is coupled to a bottom end of the second upright and a bottom end of the fourth upright.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower including a fifth upright, sixth upright, seventh upright, and eighth upright defining a second rectangular, upwardly extending space adjacent the space defined by the first, second, third and fourth upright, wherein fifth and sixth uprights face seventh and eighth uprights.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the first cross member is coupled to top ends of the first, third, fifth and seventh uprights, the second cross member is coupled to bottom ends of the first, third, fifth and seventh uprights, the third cross member is coupled to top ends of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth uprights, the fourth cross member is coupled to bottom ends of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth uprights.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower including a first set of four uprights defining a rectangular, upwardly extending space, wherein first and second uprights face third and fourth uprights, and a second set of four uprights defining a rectangular, upwardly extending space, wherein fifth and sixth uprights face seventh and eighth uprights. The first set of four uprights and a second set of four uprights are spaced apart with a central space therebetween. The shipping tower further includes a plurality of cross members fixedly linking the first set of four uprights and the second set of four uprights to form a stable upstanding structure, wherein a first plurality of support arms are secured between the first upright and the second upright, a second plurality of support arms secured between the third upright and the fourth upright, a third plurality of support arms secured between the fifth upright and the sixth upright and a fourth plurality of support arms secured between the seventh upright and the eighth upright. The shipping tower also includes a plurality of floating uprights with support arms secured thereto positioned within the central space for supporting additional strays.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the floating uprights include a ninth upright, a tenth upright, an eleventh upright and a twelfth upright, the floating uprights being free to move within the central space.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein a plurality of support arms are secured between the ninth and tenth uprights and a plurality of support arms are secured between the eleventh and twelfth support uprights.
It is also another object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the plurality of support arms secured between the ninth and tenth uprights are aligned with the plurality of support arms secured between the eleventh and twelfth support uprights.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shipping tower wherein the cross members, first set of four uprights and the second set of four uprights retain the floating uprights within the central space.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3126101 (1964-03-01), Katterjohn
patent: 3169640 (1965-02-01), Favre
patent: 3199683 (1965-08-01), Gwaswich
patent: 3963125 (1976-06-01), Baggott
patent: 4300691 (1981-11-01), Shemtov
patent: 4351246
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Litt Arnold D.
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