Abstract:
A retention device for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. Retention devices may include a first surface, a first set of protrusions extending outward from the first surface, a second surface, and a second set of protrusions extending outward from the second surface. Each protrusion in the first set of protrusions may be shaped to engage a floor of a transport vehicle. Each protrusion in the second set of protrusions may be shaped to engage an article positioned in the transport vehicle. The first surface and the second surface may be aligned along different planes at an angular offset. During transport of an article, the first set of protrusions engage with a floor of the transport vehicle, and the second set of protrusions engage with the article. After the transport vehicle has arrived at its destination, the retention device can be released from engaging the floor and the article by lifting the article, as typically occurs when a forklift is used to unload the article from the transport vehicle.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to devices for securing cargo, and more particularly, to a retention device for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Modern commerce requires transportation of goods from one location to another. Transportation of goods can be accomplished using various approaches. One common approach involves packaging goods onto pallets, loading pallets onto transport vehicles (e.g., motorized vehicles or trailers attached thereto), driving the transport vehicles to a destination, and then unloading the pallets from the transport vehicles. Unfortunately, the goods on the pallets are often damaged when neighboring pallets move into each other during transit, resulting in great economic loss for the goods provider and/or the transport vehicle operator. 
         [0003]    Several attempts have been made to solve the problem of moving pallets. One approach involves chaining the pallets in place on the transport vehicle. While this approach can work for certain transport vehicles (e.g., flatbed trucks or trailers), it is often not available on other transport vehicles (e.g., enclosed beds or trailers). 
         [0004]    Other approaches require specialized flooring that is costly to install compared to standard wood floors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,330 to Smith (granted Mar. 25, 1980) describes a steel floor for freight hauling vehicles that includes anti-skid projections, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,420 to Hendricks (granted Jan. 19, 1982) describes a channeled cargo-supporting floor and a snubbing device releasably engaging the floor channels and projecting upwardly to block movement of cargo. The relatively high cost for specialized floors has precluded wide adoption of such approaches. 
         [0005]    Anti-skid plates are sometimes used between the bottom of a pallet and the floor of a transport vehicle, but the plates have disadvantages. For instance, the anti-skid plates cannot be efficiently removed after they attach to the pallets or to the floor. Anti-skid plates that remain attached to the floors of transport vehicles can destroy wheels of forklifts that are used to remove pallets from the transport vehicles. When the anti-skid plates remain attached to the pallet, those plates can destroy floors to which the pallets are moved after being unloaded from the transport vehicles. In some cases, the plates can unexpectedly fall from the pallets during forklift transport, and individuals can later injure themselves by stepping on the fallen plates. One additional disadvantage of the anti-skid plates is their life cycle. Plates that attach to the pallets or the floors cannot be reused. 
         [0006]    The above approaches have had limited commercial success, mainly because none of the approaches can be efficiently used for enclosed transport vehicles, which are widely available. Removal of the restraining devices for each approach can also be time-consuming since removing the restraining devices often requires extra steps beyond simply unloading the pallets. The transport industry still seeks efficient and cost-effective solution to the problem of securing pallets so as to prevent damage to goods during transport. Clearly, devices that solve the above problems are needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to retention devices for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. Such retention devices may include a first surface, a first set of protrusions extending outward from the first surface, a second surface, and a second set of protrusions extending outward from the second surface. Each protrusion in the first set of protrusions may be shaped to engage a floor of a transport vehicle. Each protrusion in the second set of protrusions may be shaped to engage an article (e.g., a pallet) positioned in the transport vehicle. During transport of the article, the first set of protrusions engage with the floor of the transport vehicle, and the second set of protrusions engage with the article. After the transport vehicle has arrived at its destination, the retention device can be released from engaging the floor and the article by lifting the article, as typically occurs when a forklift is used to unload the article from the transport vehicle. Thus, removal of the retention device requires less effort than other restraining devices. 
         [0008]    Details of embodiments are set forth in the drawings and the description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first retention device for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  through  FIG. 7  respectively depict front, back, right, left, top, and bottom views of the first retention device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a second retention device for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  through  FIG. 17  respectively depict front, back, right, left, top, and bottom views of the second retention device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 15A  depicts a position of the first retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article before protrusions of the first retention device engage the floor and the article. 
           [0014]      FIG. 15B  depicts a position of the first retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article after protrusions of the first retention device engage the floor and the article. 
           [0015]      FIG. 15C  depicts a position of the first retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article after the article is lifted to disengage protrusions of the first retention device from the floor and the article. 
           [0016]      FIG. 16A  depicts a position of the second retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article before protrusions of the second retention device engage the floor and the article. 
           [0017]      FIG. 16B  depicts a position of the second retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article after protrusions of the second retention device engage the floor and the article. 
           [0018]      FIG. 16C  depicts a position of the second retention device relative to a floor of a transportation vehicle and an article after the article is lifted to disengage protrusions of the second retention device from the floor and the article. 
           [0019]      FIG. 17A  through  FIG. 17C  depict a method of manufacturing the first retention device. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Like reference numbers and designations in the drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first retention device  100 . The retention device  100  is used for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article.  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 7  respectively depict front, back, right, left, top, and bottom views of the retention device  100 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , the retention device  100  includes a first surface  105  and a first set of protrusions  110  extending outward from the first surface  105 . The first set of protrusions  110  can include any number of protrusions. The retention device  100  also includes a second surface  115  and a second set of protrusions  120  extending outward from the second surface  115 . The second set protrusions  120  can include any number of protrusions. 
         [0023]    By way of example, three protrusions are shown in each of the first set of protrusions  110  and the second set of protrusions  120 . The pattern of each set of protrusions is a row. However any pattern is contemplated. Each protrusion in the first set of protrusions  110  is shaped to engage a floor of a transport vehicle (not shown). Each protrusion in the second set of protrusions  120  is shaped to engage an article (not shown) positioned in the transport vehicle. The each shape includes a pointed end that inserts into the floor or the article. 
         [0024]    As illustrated by  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the first surface  105  extends along a first plane, and the second surface  115  extends along a second plane. A first edge of the first surface  105  and a first edge of the second surface  115  are joined together at or near where the first and second planes intersect. The first plane and the second plane are separated by an angle α&gt;0° such that the first surface  105  and the second surface  115  are not parallel to each other. By way of example, the figures show the angle α to be ≧90° and ≦135°. Other embodiments may use smaller angles, including angles ≧0° and ≦90°. Other embodiments may use larger angles, including angles ≧135° and ≦180°. 
         [0025]    The retention device  100  includes other surfaces. As shown, a third surface  125  extends parallel to the first plane, and a fourth surface  130  extends parallel to the second plane. The retention device  100  also includes a fifth surface  135 , a sixth surface  140 , a seventh surface  145 , and an eighth surface  150 . Corresponding edges of the first surface  105  and the second surface  115  are joined with corresponding edges of the fifth surface  135 , and also with corresponding edges of the seventh surface  145 . Corresponding edges of the third surface  125  and the fourth surface  130  are joined with corresponding edges of the sixth surface  140 , and also with corresponding edges of the eighth surface  150 . 
         [0026]    As will be shown later in  FIG. 15A  through  FIG. 15C , the retention device  100  can be used to physically restrain undesired movement of an article (e.g. a pallet) during transport of the article in a transport vehicle. 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a second retention device  800  for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article.  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 14  respectively depict front, back, right, left, top, and bottom views of the retention device  800 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 14 , the retention device  800  includes a first surface  805  and a first set of protrusions  810  extending outward from the first surface  805 . The first set of protrusions  810  can include any number of protrusions. The retention device  800  also includes a second surface  815  and a second set of protrusions  820  extending outward from the second surface  815 . The second set protrusions  820  can include any number of protrusions. 
         [0029]    By way of example, three protrusions are shown in each of the first set of protrusions  810  and the second set of protrusions  820 . Each protrusion in the first set of protrusions  810  is shaped to engage a floor of a transport vehicle (not shown). Each protrusion in the second set of protrusions  820  is shaped to engage an article (not shown) positioned in the transport vehicle. 
         [0030]    The first surface  805  is shown to extend along a first plane. The second surface  815  is shown to extend along a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are separated by an angle α. 
         [0031]    The retention device  800  includes other surfaces, including a third surface  825 . As shown, corresponding edges of the first surface  805  and the second surface  815  are joined together, corresponding edges of the first surface  805  and the third surface  825  are joined together, and corresponding edges of the second surface  815  and the third surface  825  are joined together to form a triangle. 
         [0032]    A fourth surface  835  and a fifth surface  845  are also included. Edges of the first surface  805 , the second surface  815  and the third surface  825  are joined together with corresponding edges of the fourth surface  835 . Edges of the first surface  805 , the second surface  815  and the third surface  825  are joined together with corresponding edges of the fifth surface  845 . 
         [0033]    As will be shown later in  FIG. 16A  through  FIG. 16C , the retention device  800  can be used to physically restrain undesired movement of an article (e.g. a pallet) during transport of the article in a transport vehicle. 
       Methods of Use 
       [0034]      FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15B  and  FIG. 15C  depict different positions of the retention device  100  and its protrusions  110  and  120  relative to a floor  1555  of a transportation vehicle and an article  1565  at different times during use of the retention device  100 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 15A  depicts a position of the retention device  100  relative to the floor  1555  and the article  1560  before the protrusions  110  and  120  of the retention device  100  engage the floor  1555  and the article  1560 . As shown, the retention device  100  is moved towards the floor  1555  and the article  1560 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 15B  depicts a second position of the retention device  100  relative to the floor  1555  and the article  1560  after the protrusions  110  and  120  of the retention device  100  engage the floor  1555  and the article  1560  to physically restrain undesired movement of the article  1560 . As shown, the protrusions  110  of the retention device  100  engage with the floor  1555 , and the protrusions  120  of the retention device  100  engage with the article  1560 . Once the protrusions  110  and  120  of the retention device  100  are engaged with the floor  1555  and the article  1560 , lateral movement by the article  1560  is prohibited. 
         [0037]      FIG. 15C  depicts a third position of the retention device  100  relative to the floor  1555  and the article  1560  after the article  1560  is lifted to disengage the protrusions  110  and  120  of the retention device  100  from the floor  1555  and the article  1560 . As shown, the article  1560  is lifted, which disengages the protrusions  110  and the floor  1555 , and also disengages the protrusions  120  and the article  1560 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B  and  FIG. 16C  depict different positions of the retention device  800  and its protrusions  810  and  820  relative to a floor  1655  of a transportation vehicle and an article  1665  at different times during use of the retention device  800 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 16A  depicts a position of the retention device  800  relative to the floor  1655  and the article  1660  before the protrusions  810  and  820  of the retention device  800  engage the floor  1655  and the article  1660 . As shown, the retention device  800  is moved towards the floor  1655  and the article  1660 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 16B  depicts a second position of the retention device  800  relative to the floor  1655  and the article  1660  after the protrusions  810  and  820  of the retention device  800  engage the floor  1655  and the article  1660  to physically restrain undesired movement of the article  1660 . As shown, the protrusions  810  of the retention device  800  engage with the floor  1655 , and the protrusions  820  of the retention device  800  engage with the article  1660 . Once the protrusions  810  and  820  of the retention device  800  are engaged with the floor  1655  and the article  1660 , lateral movement by the article  1660  is prohibited. 
         [0041]      FIG. 16C  depicts a third position of the retention device  800  relative to the floor  1655  and the article  1660  after the article  1660  is lifted to disengage the protrusions  810  and  820  of the retention device  800  from the floor  1655  and the article  1660 . As shown, the article  1660  is lifted, which disengages the protrusions  810  and the floor  1655 , and also disengages the protrusions  820  and the article  1660 . 
         [0042]    During some uses of the retention devices  100 / 800 , the protrusions  120 / 820  are not inserted into the article  1560 / 1660 . Instead, the protrusions  120 / 820  or the second surface  115 / 815  may come in contact with the article  1560 / 1660 . 
       Variations of Design 
       [0043]    The embodiments described above are merely examples. It is to be understood that alternative features can be used in different embodiments. 
         [0044]    For example, the protrusions can have different shapes that are suitable for engaging with the floor and the article, including: cones; pegs with pointed tops; spikes; pyramids; barbs; cleats; teeth; claws; and others. Different heights of the protrusions are contemplated. Any number of protrusions can be used. Different patterns of protrusions other than rows can be used, including: columns; grids; letters and symbols (e.g., T, X, /, + and all others); and others. The protrusions can be integrally formed with the corresponding surfaces of the retention device, attached to those surfaces, or inserted through those surfaces. The height of each protrusion can be relative to dimensions of the surface from which it extends—e.g. in one embodiment, the height of each protrusion is less than one-fourth of a width of the respective surface and less than one-forth a length of the respective surface. 
         [0045]    Different gripping means other than protrusions are contemplated, including fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, bolts, pegs and holes, others), adhesives, and other gripping means for engaging a retention device and a floor or an article. 
       Method of Manufacture 
       [0046]      FIG. 17A  through  FIG. 17C  depict a method of manufacturing a retention device. As shown, folding occurs along dotted lines A to create surface  1735  (comprising portions  1735   a  and  1735   b ). Folding occurs along dotted lines B to create protrusions  1710  and  1720 . Folding occurs along dotted line C to move a first side  1705  and a second side  1715  so they are separated by an angle α. 
         [0047]    Of course, other methods of manufacturing are available, including injection molding and any other known methods. Also, in different embodiments, the following materials may be used to form that embodiment&#39;s retention device: plastics; metals; woods; and others. 
         [0048]    The words comprise, comprising, include, including and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense (i.e., not limited to) as opposed to an exclusive sense (i.e., consisting only of). Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. The word or and the word and, as used in the Detailed Description, cover any of the items and all of the items in a list. The words some, any and at least one refer to one or more. The term may is used herein to indicate an example, not a requirement—e.g., a thing that may perform an operation or may have a characteristic need not perform that operation or have that characteristic in each embodiment, but that thing performs that operation or has that characteristic in at least one embodiment.