DRUM RESTRAINING DEVICE

Abstract: A cargo restraining device (10) suitable for restraining barrel shaped containers or drums (14), which includes a platform (12), which is spaced from the underlying supporting surface or floor (52), by horizontal supporting members (24) which extend the length of at least the flat portion of the platform (12), so as to provide a raised deck for the containers (14). At one end of the platform (12), upright or vertical frame (16) is connected to the supporting members (24), to prevent the containers (14)from falling off the platform (12). The other end of the platform (12) can be rounded over to define a snub-nose (26); or alternatively the other ends of the horizontal supporting members (24) can project beyond the platform (12) (which is otherwise flat) and be rounded into snub-nosed portions (27). In consequence, should the drums (14) shift or move, whereby damage might ordinarily occur, the chimes or rims of the drums tend to flow around the snub-nose (26, 27) (or snub-noses if defined at the supporting members) without any significant damage. Thus, the containers, (14) instead of falling off when moved, gently slide about and off the snub-nosed portion or portions (26, 27); and no abrupt discontinuous edges are encountered. At both ends of the horizontal support members (24), floor piercing members (28) are provided, which are normally oriented to the floor piercing position, and firmly hold the platform (12) in place. A strap (54) may be placed around the containers (24), and secured at the ends to the upright frame (16), to further restrain movement of the drums (14) on the platform (24).

Description: - 1 - Description Drum Restraining Device Technical Field This invention relates to a cargo restraining device and, in particular, to a device for storing and restraining barrelshaped- containers such as drums, to prevent damage during transportation thereof. Background Art In order to prevent damage during transport to containers for explosive or hazardous materials, such as barrel-shaped containers or drums containing corro¬ sive, volatile, or explosive liquids, such containers have in the past been braced to prevent movement of same. Where such containers are transported via rail- road flat cars or truck trailers, procedures for in¬ stalling such bracing commonly involve the use of one or more bulkhead boards which wedge the containers — with the assistance of tensioned steel strapping. Such procedures, however, are very time-consuming and costly to implement. Irrespective of such laborious efforts, movement of the load tends to occur, and if damage ensues, leakage of the hazardous liquid contents can lead to disastrous results. In an application, Unite.d States Serial No. 168,670, filed July 11, 1980, by the co-inventor herein, James Van Gompel, which application is commonly assigned with the present application, a device for restraining a cargo load has been described, which includes an elongated OMPI V.'iPO - 2 - floor contacting member provided with an upwardly fac¬ ing load bearing surface, and a generally upright member secured to the floor contacting member in spaced relation from the forward end of the floor contacting member, for engaging with the cargo load. A floor piercing element is movably mounted on the floor con¬ tacting member adjacent to the rearward end thereof, and is normally disposed to pierce the floor when the floor contacting member is under load, to restrain movement of the load during transport. United States Patent No. 1,142,088 describes a load supporting rack specifically designed for use with hand trucks and having an open frame base and end wall with diagonal braces joining the lower end of the end wall to the base. United States Patent No. 1,559,827 describes a freight anticreeping device including a metal plate for supporting cargo, cleats on the lower surface of the plate for gripping the floor, and a projection or lug on the other surface to which the cargo is secured. United States Patent No. 1,638,612 describes a cargo shipping device in which the cargo is braced on a platform and rigidly held in position. United States Patent No. 2,420,640 describes a de- mountable pallet crib for storing and handling pallets. Essentially, the pallets are enclosed in a frame which is assembled about the pallets. Between each end frame and an adjacent cheek frame interlocking means are provided so that the crib frame can neither bulge at the corners, nor collapse when heavily loaded. United States Patent No. 4,014,435 describes a collapsible rack for glass sheets, which has a base de- tachably secured to a pair of L-shaped supports, while a pair of struts is detachably secured to vertical O PI v - 3 - portions of the L-shaped supports to support the articles in a vertical position. Banding is provided to unitize the glass sheets and the L-shaped supports to provide a stabilized rack. None of the foregoing references provide a satis¬ factory solution to the problem of preventing damage during shipment to barrel-shaped containers or drums containing hazardous or explosive materials. Disclosure of Invention In accordance with the present invention, a cargo restraining device suitable for restraining barrel- shaped containers or drums is provided, which includes a platform at least the loadbearing part of which is flat, and which is spaced from the underlying support- ing surface or floor, by horizontal supporting members which extend the length of at least the flat portion of the platform, so as to provide a raised deck for the containers. At one end of the platform, an upright or vertical frame is connected to the supporting members, to restrain the containers from falling from the platform. The other end of the platform can be rounded over to define a snub-nose; or alternatively the other ends of the horizontal supporting members can project beyond the flat portion of the platform and be rounded into snub-nosed portions. In consequence, should the drums shift or move, whereby damage might ordinarily occur, the chimes or rims of the drums tend to flow around the snub-nose (or snubnoses if defined at the supporting members) without any signifi- cant damage. Thus, the containers, instead of falling off when moved, gently slide about and off the snub- nosed portion or portions; and no abrupt discontinuous C_-_F ~ :_: edges are encountered. At both ends of at least the outermost of the horizontal support members, floor piercing members are provided, which are normally oriented to the floor piercing position, and firmly hold the platform in place. In a further aspect of the invention, a strap may be placed around the containers, and secured at the ends to the upright frame, to further restrain movement of the drums on the platform. In the preferred mode of use of the present device, a plurality of drums may be vertically loaded into a truck trailer, box car, or the like, with the first loaded row being placed against the front wall of the trailer. Plywood partitions or the like can be placed between some or all of the successive rows to space the rows and limit row-to-row drum contact. At the back end of the trailer, one or more of the present drum restraining devices are loaded with drums, and the resultant assembly or assemblies positioned against the plywood sheet opposed to the last row of drums. The devices are held in place by the floor-piercing members gripping the floor. The containers are securely held, yet some movement is permitted; and in the unlikely event of pronounced movement, as when a strap breaks, the containers can gently slide over or "flow" about the rounded snub-nosed end or ends of the restraining device without any serious damage to the said containers. It is accordingly an object of the present inven- tion to provide a cargo restraining device for the transport of barrel-shaped containers, which requires no bracing, and which is otherwise highly effective in use and easily installed. It is a further object of the invention, to provide a cargo restraining device for the transport of barrel- shaped containers, which allows limited movement of the containers to occur without consequent damage to same. A still further obejct of the invention is to pro¬ vide a cargo restraining device for the transport of drums containing hazardous or explosive materials, which is easy to load and prevents damage to the drums during transport. Another object of the invention is to provide a cargo restraining device for the transport of -drums containing hazardous or explosive materials, which requires no associated braces or enclosures. A further object of the invention is to provide a cargo restraining device for the transport of drums containing hazardous or explosive materials, which is easily transported, and readily placed for further transport in a vehicle. These and further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the description of the preferred embodiments, which are exemplary only, the invention both in its particulars and overall concept being defined in the claims following this specifica¬ tion. Brief Description of Drawings In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a loaded truck trailer showing a drum restraining device in accordance with the present invention in use; part of the drawing is schematic in nature; Figure 1A is a top plan view of the truck trailer of Figure 1; -6- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a drum restrain¬ ing device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2A is a perspective view of a further em¬ bodiment of a drum restraining device in accordance with the present invention; Figure.3 is a view generally similar to that of Figure 2, showing drums in place on the drum restraining device; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the drums held in place on the drum restraining device, as shown in Figure 3, but with the restraining strap in place; Figure 5 is a detail view with parts broken away, of the floor piercing element in Figure 4, the phantom lines show the toothed pivotal member in its retracted position relative to the floor; and Figure 6 is a detail view taken generally along the line 6-6 of Figure 5. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, the drum retaining device 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 has a deck or plat¬ form 12 on which drums 14 are placed (Figure 3). An upright or vertical frame 16 is joined to the rear end of platform 12. This frame generally comprises a plurality of spaced posts 18 which extend upwardly from platform 12 and are supported by cross-brace mem¬ bers 20 and 22. Platform 12 is supported and spaced from the floor by a plurality of horizontal stringer-like members or legs 24 to which the platform is attached. The forward ends of the legs 24, which project slightly from plat¬ form 12, are rounded into snub-nosed portions 26, as can be seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4, so that the drums, if _G... - 7 - moved, as by jarring from their secured positions (packed against frame 16), can slide or "flow" about the rounded portions 24a, rather than encounter a sharp edge at which damage could occur. The rounded portions 24a similarly tend to protect drums not loaded on device 10 from being damaged. The height of the legs 24, which determines the spacing of platform 12 from the floor, is somewhat critical in that it must be suffic¬ ient to enable the drums to slide off the forward end of the platform,' rather than fall; and yet, should not be so large that the drums would be damaged when they slide off. It has been found that a height of about 4 inches is preferable, which enables the drums to slide off the rounded ends rather than falling off. In Figure 2A, a further embodiment of the invention appears. The device 10a primarily differs from device 10, in that instead of including rounded portions 24a (as in Figure 2), the members 24 each terminate at forward ends 25, and the platform 12 is in this instance formed into a rounded front portion 27 along its entire front edge. In this construction the rounded portion 27 is therefore continuous, and thus all the advantages of the rounded portions 24a are retained, and indeed enhanced. The device 10a also differs from device 10 in that an enlarged cross-member 29 replaces member 22 (Figure 2) to provide greater stability and strength. In other respects device 10a is substantially identical to device 10, and the ensuing description may be regarded as applicable to either embodiment. At least the outer pair of legs 24 (i.e. the leg 24 and 24a) have at each end a floor piercing element 28 similar to those described in aforementioned appli¬ cation Serial No. 168,670, filed July 11, 1980. In particular, each of the said outer legs are formed 8 - channel section members which open inwardly in facing relation as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. At either end of the outer legs 24 adjacent to the upright post 18, a filler plate 26 extends across the channel to form a box section portion 30, as best shown in Figure 6. Each box section portion 30 of the respective outer leg 24 supports a pair of spaced pivotal members 32 to thus provide a total of eight (8) such members on the drum restraining device 10. The pivotal members 32 are each disposed on the legs 24 intermediate the leg and an outer support member 34 secured to the leg 24. The mem¬ ber 32 is pivotally disposed on a pin or bolt 36 which extends transversely through aligned holes in the box section 30 and the outer support members 34. An inver- ted, generally J-shaped bolster plate 38 is secured on each side of leg 24 between the leg and corresponding outer support member 34 in radial alignment with the corresponding pivotal member 32. The pivotal member 32 includes an upper arcuate portion 40 which is at a given radial distance from the pivot axis and is rotatable relative to the bolster plate 38, and a diametrically opposed toothed portion 42 which is at a substantially greater radial distance from the pivot axis. Diametrically opposed, parallel por- tions 44 and 46 extend between the arcuate portion 40 and the toothed portion 42. Due to the generally larger size and greater radial distance from the pivot axis, the toothed portion 42 will normally assume a downwardly disposed position as generally shown in Figure 5. The leg 47 of the bolster plate 38 generally pre¬ cludes counter-clockwise movement of the pivotal member 32, as viewed in Figure 5. As generally shown by phan¬ tom lines in Figure 5, pivotal member 32 is clockwise rotatable at least until the straight portion 44 ^URE-A , OMPI ^ . _ vπro - 9 - replaces member 22 (Figure 1) to provide greater stability and makes contact with the corner projection 48 of the bolster plate 38. It should be understood that the pivotal member 32 on the opposite side of the leg 24 is oriented as a mirror image on the pivot axis and would be reversely movable for a similar result. In the normally assumed position for the pivotal member 32, the teeth 50 of portion 42 project downwardly (Figure 5). When subjected to the weight of the load of the drums, the teeth 50 are driven to penetrate or pierce a wood floor 52. When the drum retainer device is seated on the floor and out of service, the pivotal members 32 may be caused to assume the phantom line position of Figure 5. * With further reference to Figure 5, it will be observed that in the normally assumed position of the pivotal members 32, the rearwardly facing edge of the teeth 50 extends vertically or nearly so. Under the severe demands imposed upon a loaded truck trailer 60 mounted for piggy-back service on a railroad car as shown in Figure 1, the trailer and its cargo of drums may be subjected to impacts from the front and back, particularly during bumping or freight car sorting operations. Accordingly, a strap 54 is wrapped around the drums, the ends 56 of which are secured to posts 18 (Figure 4) which restrain the drums from movement. (For simplicity strap 54 is not shown in Figure 3). Moreover, in the case of frontal impact, the teeth 50 with vertical or near vertical rearwardly facing edges, will substantially maintain position to keep the drums from moving toward the rear — the teeth 50 will thus keep the device 10 from moving toward the - 10 - right in Figure 4. In the event of a rear impact on the trailer, however, the teeth 50 can more readily be dislodged forwardly to assume a new position. Thus, while some movement of the drums on the platform is permitted, the deck is firmly held. - Should the strap break or not be fastened, shifting of the drums results in their sliding over the round forward ends of the legs 26 (or over the rounded edge 27 of the plat¬ form in Figure 2A) without engaging any sharp edge which could damage the drums. in the use of the drum retaining device 10, a fork lift unit is generally used and initially seats the drums on the retaining device from the front. After the drums are properly seated on the drum retaining device 10, the device with the drums thereon is picked up from the rear and moved into location. For the load¬ ing illustrated in Figures 1 and 1A, a pair of retaining devices 58 and 59 loaded with drums are seated in the trailer to secure the integrity of all drums in the forward direction between the retaining devices and the front end 51 of the trailer 60. As previously men¬ tioned, one or more plywood or other temporary sepa¬ rating walls 53 are mounted between rows of drums to assure proper spacing and minimize the possibility of damage in the tightly packed drums. When necessary and/or desired, retainers 10 may also be used to generally preclude lateral movement as well. While the present invention has been especially described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing significantly from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the following claims.

Claims: - 11 - Claims 1. A device for storing and restraining barrel-shaped containers having at least one rim comprising: (a) a substantially horizontal platform on which the containers can be placed; (b) a vertical frame at one end of the said platform; • (c) means connected to said platform'and spacing said platform a given distance from an»underlying supporting surface; and (d) means extendable from below said platform for engaging and firmly gripping the said supporting surface. 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, in which the means for engaging and firmly gripping the support¬ ing surface comprise a plurality of serrated mem¬ bers, the teeth of which are adapted to pierce the said supporting surface. 3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means spacing said platform from said support surface comprise a plurality of horizontal members underlying said platform and extending away from said vertical frame, said means for engaging said support surface being mounted toward the ends of at least the outer pair of said members. 4. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the end of said platform remote from said vertical frame is rounded, whereby the rims of containers can slide over the end of the platform during O.'FI - 12 - movement of said containers over said end. 5. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the ends of said horizontal members remote from said vertical frame project beyond said platform edge and are rounded, whereby the rims of said containers can slide over the end of the platform during move¬ ment thereof. 6. A device for .storing and restraining barrel-shaped containers as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 which further includes restraining belt means secured to said vertical frame for restraining the containers receivable on said platform against said vertical frame. 7. A device for storing and restraining barrel-shaped containers, as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 r 4, or 5, in which the platform is spaced a distance from the underlying supporting surface which enables movement of the rims of the containers over the rounded surface at the edge of said platform. 8. A device for storing and restraining barrel-shaped containers, as claimed in claim 2, in which the serrated member is pivotable about an axis trans¬ verse to the supporting member. 9. A device for storing and restraining barrel-shaped containers, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the floor piercing element is normally disposed to pierce the support surface when the restraining device is under load in service, said element being pivotable to a position incapable of piercing said c /λ support surface when said restraining device is displaced toward its edge opposed to said vertical frame, thereby permitting movement of said device toward containers placed on the side thereof torward said edge, to retain said containers between said retaining device and a spaced wall of a carrier vehicle. OMPΪ Z ' co-

Inventors: HALL JERRY A, VAN GOMPEL JAMES, HALL, JERRY, A., VAN GOMPEL, JAMES
Applicants: NP MARKETING CORP, N P MARKETING CORPORATION
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B63B25
IPC codes: B60P7