Patent Application
20220194677
The present invention relates to the transport of shipping containers (such as boxes), luggage and other travel bags and, more particularly, to an adjustable support system to prevent crushing or compression thereof.
During travel, belongings frequently are broken due to heavy loads being applied to the container the belonging is being transported in, such as luggage, a travel bag, box, etc. Conventional luggage and boxes are made from material that is readily deformable, such as fabric with a liner to help stiffen it and cardboard. Travel bags are generally even less sturdy than most luggage. When it is simply clothes and other non-fragile items being transported, using conventional luggage and other travel containers or bags that might deform some is not particularly problematic. However, when valuables or other fragile items are to be transported, even slight compression, such as by setting another heavy piece of luggage on luggage, box, etc., can cause damage to the valuable or other fragile item.
Generally, in the context of travel, a traveler is not the only person that will handle a piece of luggage or a travel bag over the course of a trip because it is typically transported in a cargo area of the mode of transportation being used. The same holds true when an item is being shipped via a delivery service company. The individual(s) handling the bag or item being shipped do not have any real concern for the item being transported, nor are they necessarily aware that a fragile/valuable item might be in the package or bag/luggage. If an item is damaged during travel, the process for seeking compensation for the broken item can be lengthy, frustrating, and often-times unsuccessful. Furthermore, many items that are broken have sentimental value and cannot be easily replaced.
As can be seen, there is a need for an adjustable support system to prevent crushing or compression of shipping containers, luggage and other travel bags.
In one aspect of the present invention, a transport assembly includes the following: a transport container including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume therebetween, the transport container being configured to receive a first item within the volume; and a first support beam disposed within the volume and extending from the first side to the second side, the first support beam being configured to be positioned proximate the first item and provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.
In another aspect of the present invention, a support beam configured to support a first side of a transport container and a second side of the transport container includes the following: a first support member including a first flange configured to engage the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange configured to engage the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a transport assembly includes the following: a transport container including a first side and a second side opposite the first side and defining a distance therebetween, the first side and the second side at least partially defining a volume therebetween, the transport container being configured to transport a first item; and a support beam including: a first support member including a first flange that engages the first side of the transport container; and a second support member including a second flange that engages the second side of the transport container, the first support member and the second support member being connected via a movable coupling which is capable of adjusting a cumulative length of the support beam such that the cumulative length is substantially the same as the distance between the first side and the second side, the support beam being configured to provide support against external compressive forces to the transport container.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an adjustable support beam that, in use, extends from one side of a transport container (such as luggage, a package, etc.) to another, to stabilize the walls the support beam engages with to prevent buckling from occurring due to external forces being applied to the transport container. The support beam is adjustable in length to be usable with transport containers of various sizes.
Referring to
As shown, for example, in
In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the support beam 12 is adjustable in the direction it is elongated (i.e. a longitudinal axis) to provide support for differently sized transport containers. In order to adjust a length of the support beam 12, the support beam 12 may be divided into a plurality of sub-parts, such as a first support member 12a and a second support member 12b that movably couple with one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the second support member 12b is provided with a rod portion (upper portion of the second support member 12b as shown in
End portions of the respective first support member 12a and second support member 12b are provided with a flange 16 and pad 18. The flange 16 provides an enlarged surface of engagement with the walls or lid 11a of the transport container 11. The pads 18 directly engage the walls and/or lid 11a of the transport container 11 and are formed from a material that increases the frictional engagement between the support beam 12 and the transport container 11. Furthermore, the pad 18 is deformable to further aid in absorption of any impact to the transport container 11. Finally, as shown in
A method of making the present invention may include the following. First, a mold is created for the first support member 12a and a mold is created for the second support member 12b. Various molds may be made to fabricate any size support beam 12 needed for a particular transport container 11. Second, plastic is injected into the respective molds to form the first support member 12a and second support member. Finally, a pad 18 is adhesively or mechanically secured to a flange 16 of each of the first support member 12a and second support member 12b.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. First, a transport container 11 is packed with an item of value or fragility. Second, a support beam 12, including a first support member 12a and second support member 12b screwably engaged, is placed within the transport container 11 proximate the item. The support beam 12 engages a first wall and a second wall, such as a bottom and a lid 11a, of the transport container 11 during transport. A cumulative length of the support beam 12 may be adjusted by screwing the first support member 12a relative to the second support member 12b in order to substantially equal a distance between the first and second walls of the transport container 11. Finally, the lid 11a on the transport container 11 is secured closed and is ready for safe travel or delivery. It should be understood that the same method may be used to protect multiple items with multiple support beams 12 or to use multiple support beams 12 to protect a single item. When multiple support beams are used, the support beams 12 may be coupled to one another by connecting supports 20 to better stabilize the support beams 12 within the transport container 11.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
