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Load distributing apparatus for corner posts

Load distributing apparatus for corner posts description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

This patent relates to a palletized packaging assembly. More particularly, this patent relates to a packaging assembly comprising vertical support posts and including means for distributing a stacking load that minimizes the buckling effect that can occur due to offstacking.

2. Description of the Related Art

Articles such as outside air conditioners or large household appliances (washers, dryers, ranges, etc.) are often packaged and shipped in packaging units in which the article rests on a transport base and is enclosed by a box or carton, and in which vertical support posts are inserted between the article and the carton. The support posts are generally located adjacent the four interior corners of the carton (and thus may be referred to as corner posts) and typically extend from the transport base to the top of the carton. The posts not only to protect the article from lateral impact forces but also to provide axial (vertical) stacking strength. Loads placed on top of the packaged article are borne by the support posts and not by the packaged article.

When packaged units are not stacked in perfect vertical alignment (a phenomenon referred to as “offstacking”), the corner posts bearing the brunt of the offstacked load are more likely to fail (buckle) due to a less than optimal distribution of the load (stacking weight) on the corner post walls. At best, offstacking can result in a slight crimping of the carton. At worst, offstacking can result in the collapse of stacked units.

Thus the primary object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system that prevents support post buckling due to offstacking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping package in which a load placed on top of a packaged unit is distributed more evenly across the support post walls.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

The present invention is an apparatus for distributing a load placed onto a packaging unit of the kind having a base upon which the packaged article rests and is transported, a box or carton enclosing the article on four sides and on top, and support posts extending vertically upward from the base to protect the article from lateral impact forces and to provide stacking strength. The apparatus functions to distribute a load placed on top of the packaging unit more evenly across the walls of the four corner posts, thereby minimizing buckling that can occur when a load is offstacked.

The apparatus comprises a plurality of support post fittings or caps that mount onto the top ends of the support or corner posts, and a top frame that fits onto the caps. Each cap comprises a platform and means for mounting the cap onto the top end of the corner post. The mounting means may comprise a sidewall extending downwardly from the platform and configured to enclose at least a portion of the support post. The cap sidewall may partially or completely enclose the upper end of the support post and, preferably, forms a friction fit with the support post.

The top frame is configured to rest securely on the cap platforms and has an upper, load bearing surface. The top frame may comprise front and rear horizontal crossbeam members and side crossbeam members connected at their respective ends to form a rectangular structure. Weight from a load placed on the upper, load bearing, surface of the top frame is distributed throughout the top frame and along the entire end wall surface of the corner posts.

In essence, the corner posts and top frame form a protective cage around the packaged article, not only protecting the article from lateral impact forces, particularly at the four vertical corners of the package, but also protecting the article from compression forces from other packaged units stacked on top, even when those other units are offstacked.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a palletized packaging assembly including a load distributing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a support post cap which is a component of the load distributing apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the support post cap of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly similar to that of FIG. 1 with the carton shown in phantom lines to better show the load distributing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial close up view of the load distributing apparatus of FIG. 5.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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