End nesting stackable container modified to maintain material firmly in place

An end nesting stackable container is modified with means to firmly contain material being shipped or stored inside the container. The means contact the load being shipped at at least 4 points and are advantageously pivoted out of the way of the container during nesting. The preferred embodiment is directed at the shipping and storing of automotive windshields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention is in the field of shipping and storaging equipment. 
Specifically it relates to nestable and stackable storage and shipping 
equipment. More particularly it relates to improvements for securing 
material being handled in an end nesting stackable container. 
2. Background Information 
An end nesting stackable container is one which fits inside other like 
containers yet also stacks one on top of another. This combination of 
features allows for ease in shipping and storing material held in the 
containers by use of the stacking feature. Also the containers may be cost 
effectively shipped empty by use of the nesting feature because many empty 
nested containers take only the space of one filled container. 
End nesting stackable containers are used throughout the world for shipping 
and storing and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,343 to Thacker, which 
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, the 
currently employed containers have no means for securely holding material 
being shipped or stored. While the idea of securely holding loads inside a 
container used for shipping is not new, the currently employed methods are 
either temporary in nature or frustrate the nesting feature of the 
container which is the subject matter of this invention. It is therefore a 
principal object of the invention to provide a means for securing material 
being shipped wherein the means is attached to the container, yet is 
movable to allow the container to nest easily. 
The preferred embodiment of the invention is directed at the shipping of 
glass plate or more specifically at glass automotive windshields. In this 
embodiment the load requires rigid containment within the end nesting 
stackable container to avoid damage during shipping Further, the glass 
plates or windshields must not be damaged by the means used for securing 
the load. Currently, glass windshields are commonly broken during 
shipping. While containment measures are employed, they do not allow the 
units to nest and they provide for little variation of glass panel size. 
Therefore, a need clearly exists for a safe, cost effective way to ship 
and store glass panels or windshields. 
In addressing this need, it is another object of the invention to firmly 
contain glass plates or windshields within an end nesting stackable 
container It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for 
securing a load within an end nesting stackable container which does not 
damage the load. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An end nesting stackable container is improved by the addition of means to 
secure a load within the container. The means comprises at least a first 
means for securing the load from the top and a second means for securing 
the load from the sides. It is also possible to add a third means for 
protecting the load from the bottom. Particularly, the invention is 
directed to an end nesting stackable container which has been modified to 
allow for safe transportation and storage of fragile products, like glass 
plate or automotive windshields. The modifications include at least one 
top holddown arm, at least one side stabilizing mechanism on each side of 
the load and optionally a bottom load support. All the parts contacting 
the fragile load are optionally coated on at least one side with a 
material suitable to protect the load from damage. This material is 
preferably natural or synthetic rubber, high density foam or any other 
material with the proper abrasion and cushioning properties. 
The top holddown mechanism has a holddown arm which is connected near one 
end to the holddown support. The holddown support is attached to the end 
nesting stackable container by stretching between the rear cross tube and 
the deck of the container. The side stabilizing mechanism works in 
cooperation with the side locking mechanism and includes a side stabilizer 
which is pivoted about a side attachment point by way of a side stabilizer 
support. The side locking mechanism comprises a lock bar collar which 
slides on a locking side support to lock the side stabilizer against the 
load in the container. 
In operation, the top holddown arm swings down and is strapped to a bottom 
portion of the container to provide vertical stability during 
transportation. Also, the side stabilizer is pivoted to meet the load and 
locked into place by the sliding lock bar and lock bar collar, thus 
providing lateral stability. The locking into place of the side stabilizer 
is an important feature of the invention because it provides strong 
lateral stability. Another key aspect of the invention is that when the 
modified container is empty, the securing means pivot out of the container 
to allow the container to properly nest with other like containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
While it was noted earlier it should be again stated that this invention 
incorporates the invention in U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,343 to Thacker, which is 
fully incorporated by reference. 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the end nesting stackable container 
10 with the top holddown mechanism 20, the side stabilizing mechanism 30, 
the side locking mechanism 40 and the optional bottom load support 50. The 
top holddown mechanism 20 is principally comprised of a holddown arm 21 
and a holddown support 22. The holddown support is connected to the end 
nesting stackable container by stretching between a rear cross tube 11 of 
the container and the deck of the container 13. It should be noted that 
the holddown support 22 provides additional rigidity to the container. 
While FIG. 1 shows the holddown support connected to the upper rear cross 
tube 11 of the end nesting stackable container 10 and to the deck of the 
container 13, one skilled in the art would know that the connection points 
of the holddown supports can be to other rear cross tubes should they 
exist in the container. 
The end nesting stackable container as modified is advantageously 
fabricated by welding metal tubes together to provide the strength and 
rigidity needed for safe shipping and storing. However, other materials 
with similar properties can be used such as composite plastics, wood, 
fiber-reinforced paper and RIM plastics. Similarly, other fabrication 
techniques beyond welding can be used, provided that the properties 
necessary for a strong shipping container are not compromised. 
Looking now at the details of how the top holddown mechanism 20 is 
constructed, it is shown in FIG. 3a that the holddown arm 21 fits to at 
least one, preferably between two holddown supports 22. It will be 
appreciated by one of ordinary skill that a suitable embodiment with a 
single holddown support can be designed while FIG. 3a shows only the 
embodiment with two holddown supports. 
The holddown arm is attached to the holddown support at a holddown 
attachment point. The holddown attachment point allows the holddown arm to 
pivot with respect to both the holddown support and the container. In this 
particular embodiment, the holddown attachment point is a holddown support 
slot 27 shown in FIG. 3b. As FIG. 4 shows more clearly, the holddown 
support 22 has a holddown support slot 27 which allows the holddown arm to 
slide within the holddown support, thereby allowing the holddown arm to be 
secured at different levels on the holddown support. This gives the top 
holddown mechanism the ability to accommodate a wide range of windshield 
panel sizes. Of course other embodiments of the idea of being able to 
secure different size loads are contemplated by this invention. Another 
embodiment, for example, in place of a holddown support slot, would be 
holddown support points or holes at predetermined levels in the holddown 
support. 
FIG. 3b is a side view of FIG. 3a and further shows the top holddown 
mechanism at rest, namely in position to allow the end nesting stackable 
container to nest. Here, the holddown arm 21 is able to slide onto a 
holddown first clip 23 which functions to secure the holddown arm firmly 
in place during nesting. The holddown arm 21 is able to slide onto the 
holddown first clip 23 by sliding in the holddown support slot 27. 
Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, there is shown the details of the 
holddown arm 21. FIG. 5a shows the holddown second clip 24 which functions 
to secure the holddown arm out of the way of the end nesting stackable 
container during loading. This operation is displayed more specifically in 
FIG. 8a. Looking at FIG. 5b, the pinning means by which the holddown arm 
21 is attached to the holddown support is shown. A holddown support pin 25 
is provided which fits inside the holddown support slot 27. Also provided 
is a holddown support pin spacer 26 to give consistent separation between 
the holddown arm and the holddown support for ease in sliding and pivoting 
with respect to one another. 
Note that the holddown arm is optionally coated or covered on at least one 
side, namely the side contacting the load, with a material suitable for 
protecting the load from damage such as natural or synthetic rubber, high 
density foam or any other material with the proper abrasion and cushioning 
properties. It will be understood that the material must only be able to 
withstand abrasion and provide the necessary cushion effect. 
Looking briefly at FIG. 10, there is shown the tie down means 60 for 
securing the holddown arm against the load. This tie down strap is 
connected from the end of the holddown arm to the deck of the container 
and prevents the load from shifting during shipping. 
Shifting now to the second major means for securing a load within an end 
nesting stackable container, FIG. 1 shows the side stabilizing mechanism 
30 which works in conjunction with the side locking mechanism 40. FIG. 2 
shows a side view of this system. 
Turning to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c, these show the details of the side 
stabilizing mechanism 30. The side stabilizing mechanism comprises a side 
stabilizer 31 and a side stabilizer support 32. The side stabilizer 31 
contacts the load in the container on the first face of the side 
stabilizer 33 as shown in FIG. 6a. The first face of the side stabilizer 
is optionally coated or covered with a suitable material to protect the 
load from damage, preferably natural or synthetic rubber, high density 
foam or any other material with the proper abrasion and cushioning 
properties. It should be noted that at least one side of the side 
stabilizer is beneficially covered; however, the entire side stabilizer 
could be coated. The side stabilizer is connected to the side stabilizer 
support 32 at or near one end of the side stabilizer support as detailed 
in FIG. 6b. 
The side stabilizer support 32 is connected at the end opposite of the side 
stabilizer to the side attachment point 35. The side attachment point is 
detailed in FIG. 6c and is the site of the side pivot pin 38 which is the 
pin that the side stabilizer support 32 pivots about. Also at the side 
attachment point is the first side spacer 37 which provides consistent 
separation between the side stabilizer support and the locking side 
support 41; FIG. 7c will help clarify this point. Also in FIG. 6c there is 
shown the side pin cap 36 which serves to retain the side stabilizing 
mechanism and the side locking mechanism on the side pivot pin 38. 
Returning again to FIG. 6a, there is shown a cut away portion 39 of the 
side stabilizer 31. The cut away portion allows the side stabilizer to 
clip to the locking mechanism because contact between the side stabilizer 
and the locking side support 41 is avoided until the center portion of the 
side stabilizer reaches the locking side support. This is more fully 
discussed below. 
As noted earlier, the side stabilizing mechanism preferably works in 
conjunction with the side locking mechanism. For example, FIG. 2 shows how 
the side locking mechanism connects to the container with the side 
stabilizing mechanism. However, to fully understand this, it is first 
necessary to explain the details of the side locking mechanism. 
Referring first to FIG. 7a, there is shown the entire side locking 
mechanism 40. The mechanism comprises at least one locking side support 
41, at least one locking top support 42, at least one lock bar collar 43 
and optionally a lock bar 44. The central component is the locking side 
support 41 which connects at or near one end to the locking top support 
42. The locking side support is connected at or near its opposite end to 
the container at the side pivot pin 38 as shown in FIG. 7c. The side pivot 
pin is the pin about which the entire side locking mechanism pivots with 
respect to both the container and the side stabilizing mechanism. 
The side locking mechanism also comprises a lock bar collar 43 which slides 
along the length of the locking side support 41 as shown in FIG. 7b. Along 
with the lock bar collar is the lock bar 44, each side of which is 
connected to each lock bar collar and which slides with the collar. 
Finally, along the length of the lock bar is the locking clip 45. The 
locking clip functions to lock the side stabilizing mechanism to the 
locking mechanism when the lock bar and lock bar collar are in the up 
position; this is shown in FIG. 8b. 
Now, with all the components of the side stabilizing mechanism and the side 
locking mechanism described, it is important to understand how the two 
mechanisms work together. 
Looking first to FIG. 2, there is shown an end view of the end nesting 
stackable container. This shows the side stabilizer 31 in relation to the 
locking top support 42 and the lock bar collar 43. 
As shown further in FIG. 8b, when the end nesting stackable container 10 is 
being loaded the side stabilizing mechanism 30 is locked to the side 
locking mechanism 40 by the locking clip 45. This condition allows the 
side stabilizing mechanism and the side locking mechanism to pivot 
together with respect to the container as shown on the left side of FIG. 
8b. Thus, the two mechanisms can pivot up to allow for loading the 
container and they can pivot down so the container can nest. 
In the loading position, a safety mechanism is contemplated to assure that 
the side stabilizing mechanism 30 and the side locking mechanism 40 stay 
in the "up" position. If the mechanisms should swing down during loading, 
glass could be damaged. 
The second way that the side stabilizing mechanism and the side locking 
mechanism work together is shown most clearly in FIG. 10, that is, after 
the end nesting stackable container has been loaded. After loading, the 
side stabilizer 31 is unlocked from the locking clip and is pivoted to 
contact the load. Specifically, in FIG. 10 the side stabilizer is 
contacting a load of glass windshields. The lock bar collar 43 and the 
lock bar 44 are then translated along the locking side support 41 and the 
collar is wedge fitted into the angle formed between the side stabilizer 
support 32 and the looking side support 41. 
The wedge fit is important because the load must be firmly held in place to 
avoid damage. The wedge fit places constant pressure on both the load and 
the container front column 12. To describe this more systematically, the 
locking top support 42 abuts the container front column 12, thereby giving 
leverage to the lock bar 44 and the lock bar collar 43 to force the side 
stabilizer support 32, and thus the side stabilizer 31, against the load, 
thereby preventing the load from moving laterally during shipping. This is 
shown clearly in FIG. 2 where the locking top support 42 is designed to 
contact the container front column 12. This new and unique feature in 
shipping equipment provides the rigidity and strength to hold a load in 
place during shipping. 
Returning once more to FIG. 1, there is shown a bottom load support 50. The 
bottom load support stretches between the front and rear of the end 
nesting stackable container deck 13, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 9. 
Typically the bottom load support is welded to the deck of the container, 
but a removable support is also possible. The bottom load support is used 
with the preferred embodiment, that is in shipping glass windshields. It 
is preferably coated or covered on at least one side with a suitable 
material to prevent damage to the load. In the most preferred embodiment 
it is coated on at least one side with natural or synthetic rubber, high 
density foam or any other material with the proper abrasion and cushioning 
properties. It should be noted that when shipping glass windshields, the 
coating material on the bottom load support is formed with individual 
slots to provide a constant spacing between the windshields to prevent the 
windshields from contacting each other during shipping. 
Also contemplated within this invention is a method for shipping and 
storing automotive windshields which comprises providing an end nesting 
stackable container which is modified to contact the load of windshields 
on at least four sides. Basically, this contemplates contact from the top 
holddown arm 21, from the bottom load support 50, and from each side from 
the side stabilizer 31 as shown on FIG. 10. This method of shipping and 
storing provides the lateral and vertical stability necessary to prevent 
breakage in shipment. 
To load the end nesting stackable container as modified as described above, 
the unit to be loaded must be free from the nested stack of other like 
units. Both sides of the side stabilizing mechanism 30 must be in the 
upright position, namely locked to the side locking mechanism 40 as shown 
in FIG. 8b. The two mechanisms can then be secured to the container in the 
upright position. The top holddown mechanism 20 is placed in the upright 
position by clipping it to the rear cross support of the container as 
shown in FIG. 8a. The container is then loaded with glass windshields by 
placing each windshield on the bottom load support face coated with a 
material suitable to protect the glass windshields from damage. 
After fully loading the container, the side stabilizing mechanism is 
unlocked and pivoted to meet the side of the windshield. The lock bar and 
lock bar collar drop into the wedge fit angle. The top holddown arm is 
then unclipped from the container and placed over the glass. A tie strap 
is connected from the front of the top holddown arm to the deck on the 
container which holds the windshields during transportation. The fully 
loaded container is shown in FIG. 10. 
A second preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described that 
incorporates several modifications and additional features to the end 
nesting stackable container 10. Where appropriate, elements of the second 
preferred embodiment are identified in the below-described Figures by 
reference numerals increased in value by one hundred over reference 
numerals identifying corresponding elements of the first preferred 
embodiment. 
As noted at column 3, lines 33-43, for example, of U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,343 
to Thacker (hereinafter the "Thacker patent") that has been incorporated 
by reference, many of the structural members of the container are 
advantageously hollow, tubular members of generally square cross-section 
and 1.5-2 inches on each side. Dynamic testing of container components in 
accordance with the present invention indicates that, for some vibrational 
environments, suitable component sizes may be somewhat larger in size and 
thickness to overcome the influence of harmonic vibrations. Such heavier 
components also contribute to making the container more rugged and give 
the container improved endurance as demonstrated by impact testing. 
A modification to the bottom assembly or deck structure of the container 
described in the Thacker patent which permits product placement within 
reduced overall height and lowers the deck height by approximately one 
inch and provides a "stirrup" safety feature is illustrated in FIGS 
11A-11E. As seen most clearly in the side view of FIG. 11C and the partial 
front-to-rear perspective view of FIG. 11D, substantially 9-inch-long 
inverted V-shape members 100 are disposed at the front and rear of the 
bottom of the container (also seen in the top and front views of FIGS. 11A 
and 11B, respectively) rather than the continuous inverted V-shape members 
that extend from the front to the back of the container as described in 
the Thacker patent. The members 100 at the front of the container are 
joined by a length of flat stock 101 which is attached to their inner 
faces, for example by welding. An additional member 101 joins the front 
V-shape member 100 to the rear member 100, as seen most clearly in FIG. 
11D. The front-to-back member 101 (one of which is shown in FIG. 11D) also 
has its rearward end bent upwardly so that it can be suitably attached, as 
by welding, to the bottom rear member 105. It will be understood that the 
configurations on both sides of the container are substantially similar. 
The width of each member 101 may advantageously be about three inches. 
The advantages and features provided by the V-shape members 100 are those 
of the continuous members. In addition, members 100 and 101 provide a 
"stirrup" safety feature that is useful when front or side entry of the 
container by a lifting machine such as a forklift is utilized. For 
example, if in loading material into the container, the load is placed in 
the rear only, this could create an unbalanced condition when the forks of 
a lifting device are engaged into lift position. As seen from FIG. 11E, 
without the members 100, 101, the container could pivot on the front ends 
of the forks and transverse base member 102 and roll-off (one fork 103 is 
partially shown in FIG. 11E); but with the forks engaged between the top 
surface of a stirrup formed by the member 101 and the bottom side of the 
deck 104 of the container, the container cannot roll-off. 
A modification of the above-described top holddown mechanism 20 provides 
greater strength and rigidity, reduced space requirements for the 
container and approximately two more inches of usable product space. As 
illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the modified top holddown mechanism 
includes a modified holddown arm 124 that is formed of a channel modified 
as shown. The modified holddown arm 124 provides a first channel section 
124-1 for insertion of a removable cushion 125 of rubber or other 
elastomeric material, shown in the front view of FIG. 12A, for cushioning 
the load as described above. In addition, the holddown arm 124 provides a 
second channel section 124-2 for retaining the top holddown strap 60. The 
operation of the modified top holddown mechanism 120 is otherwise 
substantially identical to that of holddown mechanism 20 described above. 
A further modification permits loading of the container free of potential 
interference from the front columns and the front-to-back, top side frame 
members. As described in more detail below, the container front columns 
are hinged, and a swivel locking mechanism joins the top side frame 
members to the rear top frame member. The swivel locking mechanism assures 
positive, secure placement and stacking of loaded containers. 
Referring to FIGS. 13A-C, there are shown sequential, front and side views 
of portions of a hinged front column 112 which can be pivoted on a hinge 
113 from a lowered position (shown on the left in FIG. 13A) used for 
loading the container through intermediate positions (shown in the center 
and right of FIG. 13A) toward an upright position (seen in FIGS. 13B and 
13C) used for stacking and shipping. Hinge 113 is conveniently attached to 
the column 112 by welding at a position located a suitable distance, such 
as forty inches, above the container deck. A reinforcing member 114 is 
welded to one of the portions of column 112 to provide protection for the 
joint at hinge 113. For positive locating of the upper and lower portions 
of column 112, a tapered insert 115 (seen most clearly in FIG. 13C) may be 
attached within one or the other of the column portions so that the insert 
115 bridges the joint at hinge 113. It will be appreciated that the 
length, tapering and other aspects of the shape of insert 115 are such 
that insert 115 does not interfere substantially with the pivoting of the 
column portions. 
Several advantages are provided by hinging the front columns as just 
described. For most typical applications, it is necessary to have two men 
load items such as glass sheets into the container. Each man holds one end 
of the glass at its top edge, and walks on the outside of the container to 
the rear of the unit to deposit the glass. Without the hinge assembly as 
shown in FIGS. 13A-13C, each man would have to reach over the columns and 
sides of the container, which are usually approximately fifty-four inches 
up from the floor. With the front columns hingeddown as described, each 
man has to lift over columns that are only about forty inches high. 
Also seen in FIGS. 13B and 13C is a short metallic support 116 that is 
welded to the upper portion of the front column and that extends inwardly 
therefrom to underlie the front of the top side frame member as described 
further below. As seen in FIG. 13C, the support 116 includes a curved 
depression 117 for accepting a ball plunger disposed in the top side frame 
member. 
Referring now to FIGS. 14A-14D, there is shown the engagement of the front 
column 112 and the front of top side frame member 118. The front elevation 
in FIG. 14A shows an insert 119 in the hollow tubular member 118 for a 
conventional ball plunger 120 which is screw-threaded into insert 119 to a 
depth sufficient for ball 121 to contact the curved depression 117 (seen 
most clearly in the side and top views, FIGS. 14B and 14C, respectively). 
A suitable notch 122 in member 118 accepts the metallic support 116, as 
seen in FIG. 14D. 
The swivel locking mechanism joining the top side frame member 118 to the 
rear top frame member, or cross tube, 111 is illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15K. 
Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B which are partial plan and front views, 
respectively, a pin 111-1 in the shape of a truncated cylinder and having 
an area 111-2 of circular cross-section is secured to the rear cross tube 
111 by a convenient means such as welding at point 111-3. The pin 111-1 
may extend into the top side frame member. 
The pin 111-1 is inserted into top side frame member 118, the rear end of 
which is shown from the side in FIG. 15C and from the rear in FIG. 15D. As 
seen most clearly in FIG. 15C, side member 118 includes at least one notch 
118-2 (two are shown in FIG. 15C) into each of which is inserted a 
V-insert 118-1 as indicated by the heavy arrow in FIG. 15C. The V-insert 
118-1 is shown from the side in FIG. 15E, and is suitably fixed in notch 
118-2, for example, by means of welding. FIGS. 15F and 15G show side and 
rear views, respectively, of the side member 118 with two V-inserts 118-1 
installed. It will be noted from the Figures that the V-inserts 
substantially maintain the shape of member 118 to avoid interfering with 
the stackability of the container. Four vertices of the generally 
square-cross-section of member 118 are identified in FIG. 15G to aid 
understanding of the further description of the swivel locking mechanism. 
Referring now to FIGS. 15H-15K, there are shown views of the swivel locking 
mechanism in the open, or load, position (FIGS. 15H-15I) and the lock 
position (FIGS. 15J-15K). As shown from the top in FIG. 15H and the front 
in FIG. 15I, in the load position, pin 111-1 is inserted into side member 
118 such that circular area 111-2 is proximate the V-inserts 118-1. Once 
in that position, the side member 118 is rotated ninety degrees into the 
lock position shown from the top in FIG. 15J and the front in FIG. 15K. In 
this way, the V-inserts move around the circumference of the circular area 
111-2 into the slots, or grooves, formed between the larger-diameter 
portions of the pin 111-1, and the side member 118 can no longer be 
withdrawn from the pin 111-1. 
It will be understood that the direction of rotation of top side frame 
member 118 is determined by its orientation with respect to the short 
metallic support 116 on the front column 112. A counterclockwise rotation 
is seen in the Figures from the orientations of Points 1-4. Furthermore, 
normal manufacturing tolerances of the swivel locking mechanism components 
permit the top side frame member 118 to be locked or unlocked to the rear 
top frame member 111 while the member 118 and column 112 are disengaged. 
The swivel locking mechanism described above advantageously provides 
positive, secure placement of loaded containers at the same time as it 
facilitates easy loading and disassembly of empty containers. 
It has been found that a second preferred embodiment of the side 
stabilizing and locking mechanisms provides more stable and secure 
side-retaining force to the product in the container while retaining the 
advantages of the abovedescribed mechanisms. As described in more detail 
below, the modified side stabilizing and locking mechanisms include an 
interlocking sawtooth linkage which, when positioned as desired, is firmly 
locked in place by engagement of two lock knobs. 
Referring to FIG. 16A, a magnified front view of a portion of the container 
shows the front column 112, rear corner post 110, container deck 13, 
bottom load support 50 and inverted V-shape member 100 and member 101. 
Also shown is modified locking side support 141 that is pivotally 
connected, as described above, at side attachment point 35 to deck 13 and 
modified side stabilizer support 132. Support 132 supports side stabilizer 
33 as described above, and is selectively positioned with respect to 
support 141 by a lock lever bar 143, shown in more detail in FIG. 16B. The 
lock lever bar 143 includes a pivot point 144, adjustment slot 145 and 
sawteeth 146 along one surface of the bar 143. As seen in FIG. 16A, lock 
bar 143 is joined to side stabilizer support 132 at pivot point 147 by any 
suitable device such as a screw or other fastener that can control the 
pivoting of the bar 143 with respect to support 132. Bar 143 is similarly 
located and releasably locked by suitable means such as a lock knob in 
position with respect to the side support 141 at lock point 148. It will 
be understood that the bar 143 is oriented between support 132 and support 
141 so that sawteeth 146 engage a surface of support 141. 
Also seen in FIG. 16A is a short metallic angle member 110-1 that can be 
welded to rear corner post 110 for restraining and supporting the rear of 
a modified locking top support 142 while the front of support 142 is 
restrained by the front column 112. The configuration of post 110, member 
110-1 and support 142 is shown from the top in FIG. 16C. The out-out 
portion of the end of support 142 permits the support 142 to be rotated 
down to the nesting position as shown by the phantom side support 141-1 in 
FIG. 16A. 
The side stabilizer support 132 is moved into contact with the container 
load by hand, and then is locked in position at lock point 148. 
It will be understood that the modified side stabilizing and locking 
mechanisms are easily rotated toward the container deck for nesting as 
shown by the phantom side support 141-1 in FIG. 16A. 
Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in 
detail; however, it will be understood that this description is to be 
considered in all senses illustrative rather than restrictive. Those 
skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments and modifications of 
the present invention, the scope of which is delimited solely by the 
following claims.