Device and Method for Protecting Cargo

The present invention is a device and method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The device consists of a foam cylinder having a density, a height, and a circumferential diameter. The device may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter. When the device is placed on the top of a cargo load, and a length of chain is extended over the device and secured to the trailer bed such that the chain does not contact the cargo, the cargo is secured and damage to the cargo from direct contact with the chain is prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device and method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The device consists of a foam cylinder having a density, a height, and a circumferential diameter. The device may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter. When the device is placed on the top of a cargo load, and a length of chain is extended over the device and secured to the trailer bed such that the chain does not contact the cargo, the cargo is secured and damage to the cargo from direct contact with the chain is prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated or distorted and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g., “a” or “an,” “the,” this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Disclosed herein is a device for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. In one embodiment, the device consists of a foam cylinder100having a density, a height102, and a circumferential diameter104. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The circumferential diameter104of the foam cylinder100is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches. The height102of the foam cylinder100is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.

A device for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder200defining a hollow space202and having a height204, a density, an outer circumferential diameter206, and an outer circumferential diameter208. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The outer circumferential diameter206of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches, and the the inner circumferential diameter208of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between two and twelve inches, and most preferably four inches. The height204of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between four inches and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.

One particular advantage of the hollow space202defined by the open foam cylinder200is that the device may be stored on the trailer bed permanently by “stringing” a length of chain, strap, or rope through the hollow space202and then securing or fastening the length of chain, strap, or rope to the trailer bed. The ability to store the device permanently on the trailer bed improves the efficiency of the shipment process and reduces cost by eliminating the need to purchase replacement devices that are lost or damaged by not being securely fastened to the trailer bed.

Also disclosed herein is a method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The method comprises placing a device on a cargo located on a trailer bed, and securing a length of chain300to the trailer bed over the device such that the chain does not contact the cargo, wherein the device consists of an open foam cylinder200defining a hollow space202and having a density, a height204, an outer circumferential diameter206, and an inner circumferential diameter208. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The outer circumferential diameter206of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches, and the the inner circumferential diameter208of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between two and twelve inches, and most preferably four inches. The height204of the open foam cylinder200is preferably between four inches and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.