DISPOSABLE CARGO RESTRAINING DEVICE

Abstract: A disposable cargo restraining device (10) comprises a first generally planar membrane (14) adapted for horizontal positioning to receive a palletized load (30); a second generally planar member (12) adapted for vertical positioning against the palletized load (30), restraining horizontal movement thereof in one direction; hinges comprising a plurality of unitary metal plates (16, 18, 20) connect one end of the first member (14) to an adjoined end of the second member (12) to enable relative movement of the members (12, 14) between a first configuration, wherein the members (12, 14) are folded into overlying relationship for storage and shipment to a user of the device (10), and a second configuration, wherein the first member (14) is horizontally oriented for receiving the palletized load (30), and the second member (12) is maintained at a vertically oriented position for constraining horizontal movement of the load (30), the plates (16, 18, 20) being bent over about 180<o> in the first configuration, and to about 90<o> in the second configuration; and straps (24, 26) for fastening the load (30) in its seated position upon the first member (14) and against the vertical second member (10) when the device (10) is in its second configuration, the straps (24, 26) being secured to the sides of the first and second members (14, 12) remote from the load (30) and passable about the load (30). The plates (16, 18, 20) are provided with teeth (76) facing outwardly from the first member (14) for engaging the underlying surface (80) to discourage load (30) movement in the event of impact.

Description: -1- Description Disposable Cargo Restraining Device Technical Field This invention relates generally to cargo re- straining devices for use in connection with trans¬ portation of palletized cargo loads, and more specif¬ ically relates to a disposable cargo restraining de¬ vice, i.e. a cargo restraining device which is easily assembled for receiving a palletized load and which, following delivery of the load, can be readily discard¬ ed. The device is thus simple to assemble and use, and is relatively inexpensive, so that there is no necessity to re-use the device after it has been used to transport cargo. Background Art ■ Unless a cargo load is adequately secured within its vehicular carrier, motion of the vehicle, especially including acceleration and deacceleration of same, tends to move or shift the cargo with consequent damage to same, and often as well, damage to the carrier. Hereto¬ fore, shippers have generally found it necessary to rely on banding, blocking, or bracing to secure the cargo load and provide for its integrity. Such practices, however, are not only time-consuming to install and costly, but also rely heavily on individual judgment for their adequacy. SUBSTITUT ε sπεεt « £T K£Λ c O PI ithin the last several years, a new class of de¬ vices has come into use, which eliminate practice of the type discussed above. These new cargo restraining devices are exemplified by patents Nos. 4,147,112 and 4,317,645, each assigned to the assignee of the present application. Patent No. 4,147,112, issued to Greene et al, thus relates to a cargo support or retainer which endeavors to avoid banding, blocking, or bracing of palletized car¬ go loads, by providing a substantially L-shaped frame, wherein the lower horizontal member which contacts the floor is provided with a plurality of "anti-skid" spikes. A further such cargo restraining device is dis- closed in said U.S. Patent No. 4,317,645 issued to the inventor herein, James Van Compel. In this device, an elongated floor contacting member is provided with an upwardly facing load-bearing surface, the member being adapted to project forwar ly beneath a portion of the cargo load. A generally upright member is secured to the floor contacting member in spaced relation from the forward end of the floor contacting member for engaging with the cargo load, and a floor piercing element is movably mounted on the floor contacting member adjacent to the rearward end thereof. The floor piercing element is normally disposed to pierce the floor when the floor contacting member of the restraining device is under load in service, and is movable to a position incapable of piercing the floor when the restraining device is out of service. Patent No. 3,699,900 to Carlson, also describes a device for use in the transport, handling and storage of materials. This device has a base portion and a first wall portion, either of which may be utilized in the lifting and transporting of the device. A pair of op¬ posed spaced side panels are provided between the base portion and the first wall portion, for confining and protecting the material on said device. The foregoing prior art devices, particularly the devices illustrated in the 4,147,112 and 4,317,645 pat¬ ents, while effective in use, tend to present certain problems. In particular, in those instances where the devices are owned by the shipper, the cost of same makes it important that they be returned to the shipper once they reach the load destination. Unless, however, a shipment is to be returned, there is little incentive for the recipient to promptly return the restraining de- vices. Further, these prior devices are relatively bulky and heavy, and if shipped without a load, can take up undue space, as well as requiring considerable storage space when not in use. It will therefore be evident that an urgent need has existed for a cargo restraining device, which while effective, is of such low cost construction as to be economically discardable after one or more uses; and which further, can be stored with minimal space re- quirements prior to use. Disclosure of Invention In accordance with this invention, a disposable cargo restraining device is provided which, being con¬ structed of inexpensive, readily available materials, can be discarded after use, i.e., after being used to ITUTE SHEET O transport a palletized cargo load which is removed. This cargo restraining device is initially compact be¬ cause the vertical brace member normally used to support the cargo during transport is folded down over the floor contacting member. The vertical brace member is con¬ nected to the floor contacting member by metal members which can be bent 180° out of the plane of the floor member, and then brought to 90° to form a vertical brace or backboard for supporting a cargo load on the floor contacting member. These metal members are preferably fastened to the floor contacting member and brace mem¬ ber, respectively, by preformed metal projections, or points, which extend through the respective members, and are then bent over and pressed back into such members as to become integral therewith. Other equivalent means can be used to effect such fastening. The floor contacting member and backboard member can be wood, masonite, or any readily available, inex¬ pensive material which can be discarded after use. Fastening members in the form of cinching straps are provided for holding the cargo restraining device to the pallet and accompanying load. These cinching straps are preferably secured to both the backboard and floor contacting members. These cinching straps also have conventional "D" rings through which the ends of the straps pass. In a further embodiment of the invention, the floor or ground contacting surface of the floor contacting member is provided with toothed projections which pierce the floor and further restrain the cargo against rear¬ ward movement, i.e., more generally movement in one di- SUBSTITUTE SHEET rection, thus also allowing compaction of the load in the event of nose impact on the vehicular carrier. Preferably, these toothed projections are formed on the lateral edges of the hinge member. A row of such teeth may be provided at each such edge, and some of the teeth toward the upright member may be shorter than the re¬ maining teeth in the row. By means of the latter arrangement, when the palletized load and restraining device rocks — as result of rear end vehicular impact — the load is distributed over a greater number of the rowed teeth than would be the case where the teeth were all of equal length, thereby tending to preclude over¬ load and failure of the teeth toward the upright. Mem¬ bers of the same row of teeth may also be bent to oppo- site sides of a central plane, to provide a deterrent to lateral sway of the load and also so that they will not follow the groove created by the preceding teeth in an impact mode. The hinge member may further be provided with a U-shaped channel cross-section at an extended portion of same which lies against the upright. The flanges of the U channel provide further strengthening of the member to diminish any tendency of the member to fracture on the aforementioned impact. The flanges of the U are prefer- ably provided with toothed projections at the ends toward the floor contacting member, which dig into the underlying support surface upon impact. In accordance with the foregoing, it may be re¬ garded as an object of the present invention, to pro- vide a cargo restraining device for use with palletized loads, which is of such low cost and simple construction "BUREA that the device can economically be discarded after one or a very limited number of uses. Another object of the invention, is to provide a cargo restraining device for use with palletized loads, which uses readily available and inexpensive materials. A further object of the invention is to provide a cargo restraining device which occupies a minimal space when not in use, and which is easy to assemble for use with a palletized cargo load. A still further object of the invention, is to pro¬ vide a disposable cargo restraining device for use with a palletized cargo load, which restrains movement in one direction of the cargo during transport, and which al¬ lows reco paction on a reverse impact. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a disposable cargo restraining device for use with pal¬ letized loads requiring little or no skill to use. A still further object of the invention is to pro¬ vide a disposable cargo restraining device for use with the load from a fork-lift truck. A yet further object of the present invention, is to provide a cargo restraining device of the above char¬ acter, which incorporates toothed means to prevent slippage of the device and secured load under vehicular impact, and which has teeth so arranged as to minimize the likelihood of tooth failure during the load rocking that may be incident to impact. A still further object of the invention, is to pro¬ vide a cargo restraining device of the foregoing char- acter, which incorporates toothed means to prevent slippage of the device and secured load upon vehicular SUBSTITUTE SH..E. ET OMPI W impact, and wherein the teeth are disposed to discourag lateral sway of the said load. A yet further object of the invention is to provid a cargo restraining device of the foregoing character, which enables load handling from either side, as with 4-way entry pallets, which was not heretofore possible. These and further objects of the invention will appear as the specification progresses. The invention will be described in connection with a preferred embod- i ent shown in the accompanying drawing. This embodi¬ ment is illustrative only, since other modifications and variations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art. Consequently, the invention is no limited to the construction shown, but is defined in th claims following this specification. Brief Description Of The Drawings In the drawings appended hereto: FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a disposa¬ ble cargo restraining device according to the present invention, shown supporting a palletized cargo load; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the disposable cargo restraining device, illustrating same in its collapsed storage or shipping configuration, and show¬ ing how the device may be set up to receive a pallet- ized cargo load; FIGURE 2A is a perspective view of a fastening or hinge member for use in the invention; FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a cargo carrier containing palletized cargo loads and illustrating the disposable cargo restraining device of the invention in 2U3 3SST1TUTE SHEET ^T EA OMPI use with palletized cargo loads; FIGURE 4 is a partial end view, in elevation, showing the cut-out for receiving the forks of a fork- lift truck for transporting the palletized cargo load to a carrier; FIGURE 5 is a partial side view, somewhat schem¬ atic in nature, showing certain of the toothed pro¬ jections on the underside of the floor contacting mem¬ ber for gripping the floor; FIGURE 6 is a partial elevational end view, schem¬ atic in nature, showing how certain of the toothed pro¬ jections on the underside of the floor contacting mem¬ bers may be disposed for minimizing lateral load sway and for other advantages; FIGURE 7 shows the cargo restraining device of the invention in perspective, erected and ready to receive a palletized cargo load; FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the cargo restraining device in a closed position before use; FIGURE 9 is a partial perspective view of an up¬ right support member for use in the invention, which has been modified by reinforcing members to enable use of the device with especially heavy loads; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a further type of fastening or hinge member for use in the invention; and FIGURE 11 is a partial side view, somewhat schem¬ atic in nature, showing certain of the toothed projec¬ tions on the underside of the floor contacting member of Figure 10. BU EA CT SUBSTITUTE SH - Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention As best seen in Figures 2 and 7, disposable cargo restraining device 10 in accordance with the invention, is comprised of two boards of low cost, readily avail- able material, such as plywood or masonite, of which (in use) one board 12 forms an upright brace or back¬ board, and the other forms a floor or ground contactiny member 14. These boards or members 12 and 14 are con¬ nected or attached by means of a plurality of members 16, 18 and 20, which function in the nature of hinges so as to permit device 10 to be configured for shipment and/or storage as in the solid lined position of Fig¬ ure 2 , and to be configured for use as in Figure 7, i.e. by moving the upright member 12 through 90° to the dotted line position 12a of Figure 2. While members 16, 18 and 20 can comprise various hinge-like devices capa¬ ble of moving between the two fixed positions required to achieve the configuration change indicated, such mem¬ bers preferably comprise simple unitary, generally rectangular, metal pieces, formed e.g. of steel, which possess at least sufficient strength and flexibility to allow bending once 180° and a counterbend of 90° another time without fracturing. Such hinge members are seen in the perspective view of Figure 2A, to comprise the single metal blank 15, the central portion of which is punched to form a plurality of metal points 22, and the lateral edges of which carry toward one end, two rows 23 and 25 of integrally formed teeth 76 (Figure 8), the function of which will become apparent below. Metal pieces 16, 18, and 20 are secured to each of the boards by means of the preformed metal points 22. These metal points are pressed into and through boards 12 and 14, respectively, and then are bent over and pressed back into those boards so as to become integral with the boards 12 and 14. Prior to use, boards 10 and 12 are folded over each other with board 12 on top as shown in Figure 2. "Instructions" for assembly and proper use of the device may be provided as at 19. To receive a palletized cargo load as in Figure 1, board 12 is raised into a vertical position, as shown by the dotted lines 12a in Figure 2. When the hinge members are the simple metal stock de¬ scribed, the movement into the assembled position simply involves bending of the members 16, 18 and 20 to the 90° configuration of Figure 2A. (More accurately, this is a re-bending, since members 16, 18 and 20 are initially prepared and secured to boards 12 and 14 in a flattened condition, and subsequently bent through 180° to enable device 10 to be configured as in Figure 2.) Board 12, while in the downward closed position, holds in place cinching straps 24 and 26, which are of sufficient strength to hold the device to a pallet 28 carrying a load of cargo 30 (Figure 1). These cinching straps can, e.g., be formed of Nylon ® and have conventional "D" rings 32, 34 through which the ends 36, 38 of the cinching straps pass. Backboard member 12 has cut-outs 40 and 42 which form fork-pockets for a towmotor used for loading the palletized cargo loads. These cut-outs or pockets allow entry into pockets 44 and 46 of a conventional pallet 28 (see Figure 4). Pockets 44 and 46 of pallet 28 are SUBSTITUTE SHEET ii A ' -VIPO formed by attaching boards 48 and 50 to stringers 52a, 52b and 52c. These stringers have cut into them side pockets 54 and 56 (Figure 1) so that side entry can be gained when necessary by the driver of the towmotor. The pallets just described are conventional and widely used by the shipping industry. Figure 3 shows a conventional railway box car 58 loaded with palletized cargo loads mounted on the cargo restraining devices of the present invention. Box car 58 has end walls 60 and 62, a door 64, and a door open¬ ing 66. It is loaded with pallets 68a, b, c, d, and e against end wall 60, and pallets 70a, b, c, d, and e against end wall 62. Pallets 72 and 74 are secured to restraining devices 73 and 75, are then placed in the doorway area 66, eliminating the need for center void bracing. Heretofore, such a loading pattern was not possible without filling the center void 77 with brac¬ ing. Such bracing is costly not only in materials but labor to install as well. As an alternative to bracing, a dunnage bag, i.e., an inflatable airbag (which was a returnable item) had been used. The use of the present invention eliminates the need for costly bracing or re¬ turnable dunnage bags. In order to restrain movement of the cargo further during transport, a set of teeth 76 (Figures 1 and 8) are preferably provided on the bottom (floor-contacting) side of member 14. These teeth may be of saw-tooth shape, with the most vertical edges of the saw-teeth being disposed toward the upright member 12 of device 10. Since the said member 12 will normally be disposed TITUTE O MPI toward the rear of the carrier vehicle, this assures that in a rear end impact of the vehicle the saw teeth will tend to prevent load movement, by digging into the underlying floor of the carrier vehicle. Teeth 76 as previously discussed, are preferably provided directly on the lateral edges of 16, 18 and 20, as two rows 23 and 25 (Figure 2A) . The teeth 79 which are provided toward the end 177 (Figure 1) of device 10 which is remote from upright member 12, may be of equal length. Teeth 79 are oρ- tional and can be present on simple flat plates secured to the bottom of member 14, or can otherwise be so pro¬ vided. In accordance, however, with a further aspect of the invention, and as seen in the somewhat schematic view of Figure 5, the teeth at the end of the device 10 which is toward the upright 12, may be of different length. In particular, the teeth 82 and 84 (see Fig¬ ure 5) are of equal length, while teeth 86, 88 and 90 toward the member 12 are each shorter than the tooth ahead of it. Thus the line through the apexes of the set of teeth forms an angle 92 with the floor, which angle depends upon the spacing between the teeth and the differences in their height. The advantage of this arrangement is as follows: Upon a rear end vehicular impact, (at the left in the sense of the drawing), the underlying floor 80 tends to move to the right (relative to the palletized load), whereby tooth 84 will pierce the floor. If the impact is severe enough, the pal¬ letized load will rock to the left so that three more teeth 86, 88 and 90 will engage and pierce the floor SUBSTITUTE SHEET during the worst condition. If all teeth were of the same length, for example, 3 or 4 teeth would disengage, placing the entire load on the rearward (left-most) tooth 90, which can result in a failure of that tooth, and a collapse. The number of teeth of equal length 82 and 84, will be determined by the load factor relative to the strength of the material used. Thus, instead of two teeth of equal length, more teeth could be of equal length. In a further aspect of the present invention, in- dividual or successive teeth in the rows, such as 23 and 25 (Figure 1), i.e. teeth 82 and 84, or any additional teeth of equal length, as well as teeth of shorter length, can be bent to alternate sides of a vertical plane. This is schematically illustrated in Figure 6 Dy the teeth 76a and 76b, which can e.g. be successive teeth at the lateral edge 179 of member 20; and by the teeth 76c and 76d, which can e.g. be successive teeth at the opposed lateral edge 81 of member 20. This ar¬ rangement allows the teeth to oppose lateral sway of the load during transport. It also allows the teeth to avoid following the groove formed in the underlying support floor by the preceding teeth during an impact. Prior to use, and to facilitate shipping, the de¬ vices are folded over and can be stacked. The cinch straps 26 and 24 will wrap around the device twice (or more) as shown in Figure 8, but the "D" rings will always be on top. Instead of the metal hinge members being fastened to the boards 12 and 14 by bent over metal points, the said members can be attached by screws, cleats, and SUBSTITUTE SHEE plate-like metal connecting members fastened by metal points, other types of hinges (as aforementioned) can be used. Referring now to the partial perspective view of Figure 9, if a sturdier backboard member 12 is required, as for shipping 55 gallon drums, etc., vertical rein¬ forcing members 81 can be provided at member 12, to which the metal plates 16, 18, etc., or other hinges, may be secured. In a further aspect of the invention, the hinge member, as shown at 100 in Figure 10, can be provided with a U-shaped channel cross section 101 at the portion 102 of same which lies against upright member 12. Por¬ tion 102, further, is considerably extended in compari- son with the portion 111 which lies against horizontal member 14, so that portion 102 functions as a brace for backboard 12; i.e., as seen in Figure 11, portion 102 may extend upward a considerable distance along member 12, e.g., for 1/2 or more of the length of member 12. Member 100 is again provided with integrally formed points or cleats 107 which can penetrate and engage members 12 and 14. The flanges 103 and 104 of the U-channel provide further strengthening of the hinge member, to diminish any tendency of the member to fracture upon vehicular impact as described above. Flanges 103 and 104, further, are preferably provided with toothed projections 105 and 106 at the ends toward the floor contacting member, which dig into the under¬ lying support surface upon severe impact. The manner in which member 100 functions on impact 'BUREAU OMPI Figure 5, successive teeth 82a, 84a, 86a, 88a and 90a are shorter as one proceeds toward upright 12. The angle 109 of the teeth can vary according to require¬ ments; in one typical arrangement angle 109 is about 15°. Upon impact (from the left side of Figure 11), the floor 80 tends to move to the right relative to device 10. Device 10 accordingly rocks to the left, bringing the teeth 86a, 88a, and 90a, which were initially not in contact with the support surface, into engaging contact with surface 80. As the tilting deepens, projections 105 and 106 also approach surface 80, as at 106a-l and 106a---l. If impact is severe enough the device assumes the position 10a at the left of Figure 11, in which all the teeth plus the additional projections 105 and 106, are also embedded at surface 80. Heretofore under a very severe or repeated impact, fracturing could occasionally occur at portions of the hinge member, such as at the high stress zone schematically suggested at 110. The hinge member embodiment shown in Figure 10, largely eliminates any such tendencies. While the present invention has been particularly described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood in view of the instant disclosure, that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within the scope of the present teaching. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed, and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appended hereto. SUBSTITUTE SHEET O PI

Claims: Claims 1. A disposable cargo restraining device, com¬ prising: a generally planar floor contacting member having an upper load bearing surface, adapted for receiving a palletized cargo load thereon; a second generally planar member, being connected to said floor contacting member by hinge means, which permit said members to be placed in a first configuration wherein said members are folded upon, and substantially overlie each other, to thereby enable storage or shipment of said restraining device, and in a second configuration wherein said second mem¬ ber is oriented and held vertically at one edge of the horizontally oriented floor contacting member, whereby said second member constitutes a backboard for re¬ straining horizontal movement in one direction of a palletized cargo load on said floor contacting member; and strap means, secured to the sides of said first and second members opposed to said load, for pass¬ ing about and securing said restraining device to said palletized device. 2. A cargo restraining device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises a unitary metal plate secured to each of said first and second members, said plate in the first folded configuration of said device being bent upon itself, and in the second configuration of said device, being bent at an angle of about 90°. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said plate is provided with integrally formed cleat means for securing said plate to said first and second members. 4. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the lower floor contacting side of said first member is provided with surface gripping projections thereon, to restrain said movement in one direction of said device and palletized load with respect to an underlying sup- port surface. 5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said projections comprise teeth integrally formed at said metal plates. 6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said teeth are formed as rows at the lateral edges of said metal plates. 7. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said teeth are generally saw-toothed in shape, and wherein the teeth toward the juncture with said second planar member, are successively shorter in length than the teeth spaced to the end of said plate opposed to said juncture. 8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein an angle is formed by a line passing through the distal ends of successive said teeth with respect to the plane of said first member. 9. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein at least some of the teeth in a said row are bent to al¬ ternate sides of the plane which is perpendicular to said first member, thereby to stabilize the palletized load, seated upon said device against lateral sway dur- SUBSTITUTE SHEET ing transportation thereof. 10. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the portion of said hinge member secured to said first member has a U-channeled cross-section and extends along a substantial portion of said first member to thereby act as a brace for said first member. 11. A device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the said portion of the hinge member includes teeth-like projections toward the juncture with said first member, said projections acting as further surface gripping means upon said device being rocked by vehicular impact. 12. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said second member includes U-shaped openings, formed adjacent the juncture with said first member, for per- mitting entry into said device of the forks of a fork- lift member, to facilitate movement of palletized loads. 13. A disposable cargo restraining device, com¬ prising in combination: a first generally planar member adapted for horizontal positioning to receive a palletized load thereon; a second generally planar member adapted for vertically positioning against a palletized load seated upon said first member, for restraining horizon- tal movement thereof; hinge means connecting one end of said first member to an adjoined end of said second member, for enabling relative movement of said members between a first configuration, wherein said members are folded into overlying relationship for storage and shipment to a user of said device, and a second configuration, SUBSTITUTE SHEET wherein said first member is horizontally oriented for receiving said palletized load, and said second member is maintained at a vertically-oriented position for constraining horizontal movement of said palletized load; and means for fastening a said palletized load in its seated position upon said first member, and against the vertical second member, when said device is in its said second configuration. 14. A device in accordance with claim 13, where¬ in said fastening means comprises strap means, secured to the sides of said first and second members remote from said load, and passable about said load to secure same to said restraining device. 15. A device in accordance with claim 14, where¬ in said strap means passes about the externally facing surfaces of said first and second members, when said device is in said first folded configuration, and the ends of said strap means in said first configuration being secured to each other to facilitate said storage or shipment of said device. 16. A device in accordance with claim 13, where¬ in said hinge means comprises a plurality of unitary metal plates, extending between said members, said plates being bent over about 180° in the first config¬ uration of said device, and being bent to about 90° when said device is in said second configuration. 17. A device in accordance with claim 16, where¬ in the portions of said plates at said first member are provided with teeth facing outwardly from said first member, for engaging the underlying surface on which SUBSTITUTE SHEET said device is seated, 18. A device in accordance with claim 17, where¬ in at least some of the said teeth in the direction of the junction with said second member are sucessively shorter. 19. A device in accordance with claim 16, where¬ in the portion of said plates connected to said second member has a U-shaped channel cross section, and ex¬ tends along said second member a substantial distance to act as a brace for said member. 20. A device in accordance with claims 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein said first and second members are plywood sheets. 21. A device in accordance with claim 17, in- eluding further teeth projecting from the lower face of said second member toward the end thereof opposite the junction with said first member. 22. A device in accordance with claim 15, where¬ in one of said members carries assembly instructions on a surface thereof which is viewable when said device is in said first, folded configuration. 23. A device in accordance with claim 13, where¬ in said second member includes U-shaped openings, formed adjacent the juncture with said first member, for per- mitting entry into said device of the forks of a fork- lift member, to facilitate movement of palletized loads. 24. A disposable cargo restraining device com¬ prising: a lower fibrous floor contacting member, said lower floor contacting member providing a ground contacting surface and an upper load bearing surface SUBSTITUTE capable of receiving a palletized load thereon; a second fibrous member pivotally con¬ nected to said lower floor contacting member by metal members which can be repeatedly bent out of the plane of the floor contacting member without fracturing, said second member when elevated to a vertical position con¬ stituting a backboard for supporting a cargo load on said lower floor contacting member, said first and sec¬ ond members having secured thereto fastening members for holding said cargo restraining device; and surface gripping projections on portions of the ground contacting surface of said lower floor contacting member. 25. A disposable cargo restraining device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said lower and second mem¬ bers consist of wood. 26. A disposable cargo restraining device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said lower and second mem¬ bers consist of masonite. 27. A disposable cargo restraining device as claimed in claims 24, 25, or 26 wherein said metal mem¬ bers are secured to said lower and second members by projections extending from said metal members into said lower and second members. 28. A device in accordance with claim 24 which when loaded with a 4 way entry pallet, allows entry from all 4 sides. •" ■ iuSsI n U i t mm9- -.?*- im -. -

Inventors: VAN GOMPEL JAMES J, VAN GOMPEL, JAMES, J.
Applicants: NP MARKETING CORP, N P MARKETING CORPORATION
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B60P1
IPC codes: B60P7, B61D45, B63B25, B65D19