Patent ID: 8186129
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: B65D,E04C

Abstract:
1. A method of supporting a plurality of tapered architectural columns in stacked relation to one another utilizing top and bottom packing brackets each having a ring portion and a substantially rectangular shaped frame portion surrounding the ring portion, the ring portion and surrounding frame portion being joined together by webbing extending therebetween, the ring portions of the top and bottom packing brackets being sized to closely receive respective smaller top and larger bottom ends of the columns, comprising the steps of inserting the ring portions of the top and bottom packing brackets over the respective smaller top and larger bottom ends of the columns, and stacking the columns on top of one another with the respective top and bottom packing brackets in interlocking engagement with each other to prevent both side to side and front to back movement of the packing brackets and associated columns with respect to one another, wherein one side of the frame portion of each of the packing brackets has at least two laterally spaced axially offset tabs and slots in alignment with respective slots and tabs in an opposite side of the frame portion for engagement of the tabs on one of the sides with respective slots in the other side and the tabs on the other side in the respective slots in the one side of the packing brackets when the packing brackets are placed around respective ends of two or more of the columns and the packing brackets are stacked on top of each other for interlocking the packing brackets against both side to side and front to back movement relative to one another, placing two or more individual stacks of the columns in side by side relation to one another, and inserting substantially U-shaped clips through openings in the web portions of adjacent packing brackets of the individual stacks of columns to hold the individual stacks of columns together for palletizing.