Patent Application
20080017597
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a support structure for rolled rugs that can function as part of the shipping container as well as a display rack.
Rugs are frequently rolled for shipping and display, because in that relatively compact form they can be most conveniently handled and stored. Rolled rugs are often six feet or taller; so a container for shipping them must accommodate the heights. The rolled rugs are typically shipped in a “dump” box about two feet deep, having a wooden grid across its top. A rolled rug is contained in each segment of the grid. So the rugs are not easily accessible for examination, and must be lifted at least two feet to remove them from the container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a support frame, which forms the infrastructure of a shipping container for rolled rugs. When the container arrives at its destination (e.g. a retail outlet), it can then function as a display rack.
(2) Description of Related Art
Applicant is aware of no prior patent directly relevant to the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the infrastructure of a shipping container has an outer support frame, with a series of metal rods extending from side to side across the support frame thereby forming struts to divide and support rolled rugs.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings.
As shown in
Within the outer frame 11, are a series of divider struts formed of ¼ inch steel rods. Five parallel longitudinal divider struts 21 extend between lower back brace 15 and front brace 18. They are parallel to the pallet 10. Five corresponding diagonal divider struts 22, extend between upper back brace 14 and front brace 18. A right outer support strut 24 and a left outer support strut 25 extend from rear uprights 12 and 13 to front uprights 16 and 17, and are parallel to pallet 10. A rear divider strut 23 extends between outer support struts 24 and 25, at a point twelve inches from and parallel to lower rear brace 15 and transversing longitudinal divider struts 21. The space between the divider struts 21, within support struts 24 and 25, form seven parallel channels which correspond to the seven parallel channels formed between divider struts 22, within side supports 19 and 20.
When the support frame is functioning as a display unit, rolled rugs 26 stand upright in the parallel channels. Because of back divider strut 23, the bottoms of the rolled rugs 26 cannot go all the way back to lower rear brace 15. But the upper portion of the rolled rugs 26 can lean all the way back to rest against upper rear brace 14. Thus the rolled rugs 26 remain in a slight diagonal, leaning back position. This is important, because if they were leaning forward, they would tend to fall out of the support frame, which is open on its front end and except for front brace 18, which is only six inches above the pallet 10. The relative openness of the support frame, permits easy access so the rugs can be seen and closely inspected, while being contained in compact space. When it is desired to remove a rug from the display unit, the rug need only be leaned forward and lifted six inches over the front brace 18.
It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the device and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
