Patent Publication Number: US-11377295-B2

Title: Packaging assembly

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to packaging systems (assemblies) and more particularly, but not exclusively to packaging systems (assemblies) to secure elongated products, such as extruded products, in a bundle for transportation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Elongate products, such as aluminium or plastic extrusions, are typically long products that are fragile and/or easily damaged. Such products are transported in bundles or groups that can be difficult to handle, due to the size, weight, shape and fragility of the bundles. Thus the transportation and storage of such elongate and extruded products presents unique difficulties. 
     Typically, these products will be stacked for transportation, with timber skids, cleats or pallets used to vertically separate groups of the products. Timber is cheap and commonly used for such purposes, but has the disadvantage that it is liable to move or become loose in transit, resulting in damage to the products. Furthermore, timber has the disadvantage that it is a single use disposable material and can become affected by environmental factors, such as moisture or pests, which will have consequences on the strength and reliability of the packaging, particularly when re-used. 
     Packing straps are used to tie stacked products, which may or may not be stacked on pallets, however the straps have the disadvantage that product, even when strapped, can still shunt relative to each other in transit. Furthermore, the straps can damage the surface of the products and leave nothing to support the products after the straps have been removed and before removal of the products from the transportation surface—such a surface being, for example, the flat bed of a truck, a train carriage or shipping container. 
     Timber skids and cleats are not often reused due in part to their inconsistent sizing, and the consequent difficulty in locating appropriately sized timber skids and cleats for a particular application, but also due to the costs associated with recycling and freighting empty skids and cleats. 
     An alternative reusable system for transporting elongate or extruded products has been proposed, which involves placement of products in a three-sided metal skip. However, the metal skips have disadvantages, that is they are heavy, expensive and occupy a lot of space even when empty, thus making them difficult to be cost-effectively returned to a product supplier. Such metal skips are also of fixed dimensions and are thus only suitable for use with products or groups of products of a limited range of dimensions. 
     Described in Australian Patent 2011100549 is a packaging system particularly adapted for the transportation of elongated products such as aluminium and plastic extrusions. The system addresses some of the above issues 
     The above packaging system includes a rectangular frame providing an aperture within which the elongated products are located so that the frame surrounds the products. The frame includes an upper cleat and a lower cleat that are spaced but are essentially parallel and coextensive. Extending between the cleats are side supports, that are upwardly extending and are also generally parallel and co-extensive. Each side support engages the upper and lower cleat so as to provide the generally rectangular frame. The side supports also provide for stacking of the frames. A disadvantage of the packing system described in the above Australian patent application is that the upper cleat, under the influence of gravity, falls on top of the stacked articles below. Additionally, stacking of the packing system and items contained therein, is by way of the side supports projecting upwardly. The distance of the side supports project upwardly above the upper cleat depends on the volume of material stacked inside the packing system. Accordingly, stacking can be a difficulty. 
     Described in USA Patent 7080864 is a frame assembly that supports a plurality of pipes to be lifted by a crane. The frame assembly includes a pair of upright plates between which there extends a plurality of generally parallel by spaced spacers. The spacers have recesses within which the pipes are located with the pipes located between adjacent spaces. A disadvantage of this assembly is that it does not accommodate variations in the size of the bundles to be transported. 
     Object 
     It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     There is disclosed herein a packaging assembly including: 
     an upper cleat; 
     a lower cleat; 
     a first and a second side support, each side support extending between the upper and lower cleats and being attached thereto so that the upper cleat and lower cleat are spaced by a distance, with the cleats and side supports provide a generally rectangular frame surrounding a aperture within which product to be transported is to be located; and wherein 
     the first side support and the second side support are elongated so as to have a longitudinal length extending between the upper cleat and the lower cleat, with each longitudinal length being adjustable so that said distance is adjustable. 
     Preferably, each support has a plurality of ratchet teeth and a resilient pawl urged into engagement with the ratchet teeth of the respective support to aid in retaining each support secured to the cleats so that the distance is maintained. 
     Preferably, the resilient pawl, upon sufficient force being applied thereto, can move along the ratchet teeth to provide for movement between the upper and lower cleats, and therefore adjustment of said distance. 
     Preferably, each support includes a base and a part associated with the base to provide for relative sliding movement therebetween, to provide for the adjustment of and distance. 
     Preferably, the support part of each side support has the ratchet teeth, and the associated support base the resilient pawl. 
     Preferably, the assembly includes a strap that passes about the upper cleat, lower cleat and first and second side supports, with the strap tensioned being engaged with the pawls to retain the side supports fixed at the longitudinal length thereof. 
     There is still further disclosed herein a packaging assembly including: 
     an upper cleat; 
     a lower cleat; 
     a first and a second side support, each side support extending between the upper and lower cleats and being attached thereto so that the upper cleat and lower cleat are spaced by a distance, with the cleats and side supports providing a generally rectangular frame surrounding an aperture within products to be transported is to be located; and wherein 
     the upper cleat and the lower cleat each have opposite end extremities, and each side supports having an upper end extremity and a lower end extremity, with the end extremities providing projections and sockets so that each projection is received within a respective socket to secure the side supports to the cleats. 
     Preferably, each cleat end extremity is provided with at least one of the sockets, and each side supports end extremity is provided with one of the projections that are received within a respective one of the sockets. 
     Preferably, the upper cleat and the lower cleat each have opposite end extremities, and each side supports has an upper end extremity and a lower end extremity, with the end extremities providing projections and sockets so that each projection is received within a respective socket to secure the side supports to the cleats. 
     Preferably, each cleat end extremity is provided with at least one of the sockets, and each side supports end extremity is provided with one of the projections that are received within a respective one of the sockets. 
     Preferably, at least one of the projections includes a resilient pawl that releasably fixes at least one of side supports to an associated one of the cleats. 
     In one preferred form, each resilient pawl engages the upper cleat. 
     In an alternative preferred form, each resilient pawl engages the lower cleat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a packaging system (assemblies) in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cleat unit of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  in a mostly retracted condition; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing strapping applied around the cleat unit; 
         FIG. 3  is the perspective view of the cleat unit shown in  FIG. 2  in an extended condition; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the cleat unit; 
         FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the lower/upper cleat; 
         FIG. 6  is a lower perspective view of the lower/upper cleat; 
         FIG. 7  is an inner perspective view of a first part of the side cleat; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  but with an inner wall partly removed to show inside the first part; 
         FIG. 9  is an outer perspective view of the first part of the side cleat; 
         FIG. 10  is an outer perspective view of the second part of the side cleat; 
         FIG. 11  is an inner perspective view of the second part of the side cleat; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the packaging system with cleat units stacked one on top of the other to provide a double stacked package. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic isometric view of another packing assembly; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic front isometric view of the packaging assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic top plan view of the packing assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic isometric view of a side support of the assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation of the support of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic bottom plan view of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic side elevation of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic rear elevation of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic front elevation of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic isometric view of the bottom cleat of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic isometric view of the top cleat of the assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic elevation of a side support outer half component of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic isometric view of portion of the side support of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic isometric view of a further side support portion of the support of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom plan view of a side support&#39;s inner half component of the assembly of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A packaging system (assembly)  10 , for the transportation of an elongate product  12 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 12  of the accompanying drawings. The packaging system  10  finds use in transporting elongate product such as plastic, metal or composite extrusions, timber or any manufactured products having length and requiring transportation, and bundles or groups thereof. 
       FIG. 1  shows the packaging system in use with four cleat units  15  evenly distributed along the length of the product  12  to evenly bear the load of the product. The cleat units  15  can be spaced as appropriate to, for example, accommodate a particular elongate product  12  or to account for different types of cleat material. For example: heavier elongate products  12  may require a greater number of cleat units  15  to be used in order to adequately support its weight; a product  12  with non-uniform weight distribution may require non-uniform cleat unit  15  distribution along its length; and cleat units  15  made from lighter materials may warrant the use of more cleat units  15  in order to properly support the elongate product  12 , without damage to either the elongate product  12  or cleat units  15 . The spacing between cleats will therefore vary depending on the nature, including weight, of the product to be loaded and according to specific end user requirements. However, by way of example only, the spacing between cleat units carrying timber, centre to centre, could be between 1.0 m and 1.5 m, such as 1.2 m. 
     Product  12  extends through a space  14  in the cleat units  15  formed by a lower cleat  16 , an upper cleat  18  and side cleats  20  that interconnect the lower and upper cleats. Straps  17  extending at least part way around the assembly of the cleat unit assist in tightly securing the cleat unit around the product  12 . The side cleats  20  are height adjustable, and able to be set at variable heights, to vary the spacing between the upper and lower cleats and thereby adjust to the correct height correlating to the product  12  being supported. 
     The advantage of this system is that it is easy to use, it reliably provides a very stable package for transportation and it can be re-used to suit a variety of different applications and products. The cleat units  15  can form a substantially rigid structure so that there is little or no relative movement of the lower and upper cleats  16 ,  18  during transportation. Thus shunting of cleat units  15  against each other can be avoided. 
     The side cleats (side supports)  20  are substantially planar supports interconnected between the upper and lower cleats that telescopically slide relative to each other to extend and retract between a shortened, retracted position to an extended full height position by way of at least two sliding parts that substantially overlap in the retracted position but extend to elongate with less overlap in the extended position. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings there is a first, lower sliding part  21  having a receiving recess  24  to receive a second, upper sliding part  22 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the cleat unit  15  in an almost retracted position with upper part  22  nested within recess  24  of lower part  21 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the upper part  22  extended upwardly from lower part  21  to thereby raise the height of side cleat  20  and increase the area of space  14  through which a product extends and is supported. Accordingly, products of various heights may be supported by the same cleat units  15 . 
     For clarity,  FIG. 4  illustrates the components of a cleat unit  15  in exploded view.  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9  illustrate the lower sliding part  21  and  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the upper sliding part  22 . Longitudinal guide spines  23  in receiving recess  24  engage with longitudinal guide grooves  25  on upper part  22  to maintain a sliding motion between the two parts. Guide grooves  25  are formed by further spines  32  that alternate with the lower part&#39;s guide spines  23 . 
     The lower part  21  includes two connectors  26  with detents (resilient pawls)  27  provided at a lower end thereof for interconnecting the side cleat to the lower cleat  16 . Lower cleat  16  has upwardly facing connection pockets  28   a  that correspond in shape and size to receive the connectors  26 . The resilience of detents  27  against stops  29  in the pockets  28   a  create a snap-lock connection between lower sliding part  21  and lower cleat  16 . 
     Upper sliding part  22  includes two locators  31  upstanding from an upper end of upper part  22  for locating into a downwardly facing corresponding connection pocket  28   b . Pockets  28   a  and  28   b  are the same pocket structure where  28   a  is open upwardly to receive a connection (from the lower part  21 ) and  28   b  is open downwardly to receive another connection (from the upper part  22 ). The pockets  28   a  and  28   b  may be open through to each other, with a stop or constriction in the middle to prevent one interconnected component from extending right through the pocket, or the pockets may be closed, being blind pockets. 
     The side cleats are height adjustable and are set to the selected height by the application of a force on one or both side cleats, where that force is directed inwardly of the cleat unit. The force acts on a locking mechanism  30  that obstructs the adjustability function of the side cleat  20 . The locking mechanism includes a resilient member, in the form of a tongue (resilient pawl)  33 , on the lower sliding part  21  being urged against the upper sliding part  22  and to engage therewith to obstruct the sliding motion between the parts. 
     Tongue  33  is integrally formed with the housing structure of lower part  21  at an upper central portion thereof and is defined by two lateral slits  34  cut down into an outer face  35  of the lower part  21  from an upper edge  36  defining the opening to the receiving recess  24 . The tongue obtains its resilience by way of the shape of the slits  34  and/or the properties of the material used for the side cleats, which may be a mouldable plastic or formed from metal. 
     The tongue has a first locking component that engages with a second locking component on the portion of the upper sliding part  22  that slides adjacent and close to the tongue. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , an inner side of the tongue specifically has ratchet-shaped teeth  38 . The teeth are ramped on one side up to an acute angle at the apex of the tooth where a perpendicular surface  41  of each tooth then turns back to meet the tongue at a perpendicular angle. The tongue&#39;s teeth  38  are configured to engage with correspondingly ratchet-shaped, but in a reverse direction, teeth  39  provided in rows across a central panel that runs down the length of the upper portion  22  (see  FIG. 10 ). Teeth  39  of the upper part are similarly profiled to the tongue&#39;s teeth  38 . 
     While no force is applied to tongue  33  the reverse directional ratchet teeth of the tongue and upper part can slide past each other without interference. This allows for relative extension of the upper and lower sliding parts, and hence adjustment of the height of the side cleat  15 . However, when the selected height is reached pressure is applied against the tongue  33  to move it towards the upper cleat  22  and thereby engage the locking mechanism of the corresponding ratchet teeth  38 ,  39 . The perpendicular surfaces  41  of the engaging teeth abut flatly against each other to prevent any sliding movement between the parts. If the tongue is not pressed, or only partly pressed, the ramped surfaces of the teeth on the respective upper and lower parts will allow sliding movement between the parts to take place event if they are slightly touching. However a firmer inward force against the tongue will engage the teeth and prevent movement. Disengagement of the locking mechanism occurs when the pressure on the tongue  33  is removed and the tongue, being resilient, moves back to a neutral position away from contact with the upper part  22 . 
     Force on the tongue  33  may be applied by various means but the force needs to be one that can be held, indefinitely. Such force could be applied by using fasteners such as locking clips or clasps, but in the embodiment described herein the force is applied by the strapping that extends at least partly around the upper, lower and side cleats and that is used to secure the cleat unit tightly around the product. As shown in  FIG. 2A  the strapping  17  is adapted to extend over tongue  33  so that when the strapping is tightened the tightening force on the strap will in turn press inwardly against the tongue forcing the tongue&#39;s teeth  38  against, and into contact with, the teeth  39  of the upper part and thereby fix, or lock, the spacing between the upper and lower cleats by preventing any movement within the side cleat. 
     The strapping  17  used can be any kind of reliable strapping used to secure cargo including metal or plastic straps, or straps made from woven or knitted fibres. As discussed above, the inward force onto tongue  33  need not be exclusively applied by using straps, but could be applied by other force applying mechanism, such as stretch film wrap applied using spiral wrapping equipment. The tension of the wrapped film in the instance would apply a holding/locking force on the tongue that will lock the extension of the side cleat and stop sliding. Still another alternative could be to provide the cleat unit with a sliding or hinged latch that can be moved to lock movement of the side cleat extension by acting as a detent. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the outer facing side of the tongue  33  includes a series of outwardly raised ribs  43 . These ribs protruding outwardly are to encourage purchase of the straps on the tongue and increase the force on the tongue to move it inward into locking engagement with the upper part. 
     Accurate positioning of the packaging strap  17  is maintained through strapping guides  45  in the form of strap channels provided in both the upper cleat  18  and the side cleats  20 . The strap channels  45  can be in the form of lateral ridges or a sunken recess provided on a wall of the cleat part (as provided on the side cleat  20 ) or in the form of a continuous channel between structural components of the cleat (as provided on the upper surface of the upper cleat  18 . 
     Turning back to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , illustrated in those figures is a generally rectangular and planar cleat component  13  that is both the upper cleat  18  and the lower cleat  16 . Cleat component  13  is formed such that in one orientation it acts as a lower cleat and in an opposite, upside down orientation, it acts as an upper cleat. Cleat component  13  includes a substantially flat surface on one planar side, and a rib-strengthened surface with a strap channel  45  on the opposite planar side. Four pockets  28   a  and  28   b  are provided near the shorter edges of the rectangular cleat structure, and as discussed earlier, on one side the pockets  28   a  receive a lower end of the side cleats  15  and on the other side the pockets  28   b  receive an upper end of the side cleats  15 . 
     Accordingly, when the flat surface is assembled facing up, the cleat component  13  will be the lower cleat  16  supporting the load of the product  12 , and when the flat surface is assembled facing downwardly, the cleat component will be the upper cleat  18  restraining the product from above. 
     The cleat component  13  has a cantilevered reinforcing planar extension  50  that extends out one si de of the component. The reinforcing extension increases the effective length of the cleat unit and provides greater protection to the product. The reinforcing extension  50  may be formed integrally with the cleat component  13  as shown in the drawings, for example by moulding, or it may be a separate part that is attached or inserted after manufacture. Also shown (see  FIG. 6 ) is the cleat component having a side entry  48  adapted to receive an additional reinforcement extension (not shown) as a separate component that extends from an opposite side of the cleat component to integral extension  50 . 
     The cleat units  15  may be made of a suitable material that will be sufficiently durable to withstand repeated use and, preferably, lightweight to not add to the weight of the packaging. Suitably, the cleat units can be made of moulded plastics, where the side cleats may be made of the same or a different material to the upper and lower cleats. For instance, the side cleats could be made of a composite material (plastic/graphite/metal) that would increase the strength of the side cleat for holding greater loads. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the packaging system  10  stacked in a double, one on top, configuration with an top cleat unit  52  and a bottom cleat unit  53 . The cleat components are formed to be positively stackable, to make storage and transportation easier and more space saving. In the case of double stacking, strapping  17  can extend around the entire perimeter of the bundled stack with the strapping passing over both tongues of the top and bottom cleat units and when tensioned will apply an inward force on the tongues, inward in the direction of the centre of each cleat unit. The inward force will lock the height of the packaged assemblies and keep them securely in place ready for lifting, transportation and further stacking without shunting and with a reduction in the incidence of damage due to poor or inappropriate packaging. 
     In  FIGS. 13 to 28  of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a packaging assembly  110 . The assembly  110  provides a generally rectangular (including square) frame  112  that surrounds an aperture  111 . In use of the assembly  110 , a plurality of elongated products, such as aluminium or plastic extrusions, extend longitudinally through the aperture  111  so as to be retained as a bundle by the assembly  110 . 
     The frame  112  includes an upper cleat  113  and a lower cleat  114 . Preferably the cleats  113  and  114  are longitudinally parallel, transversely spaced and substantially co-extensive. 
     The frame  112  also includes a pair of side supports  115  that are generally upwardly oriented, generally parallel but transversely spaced, and extend between the cleats  113  and  114 . The side supports  115  are also generally co-extensive. 
     The side supports  115  are longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal length  117 , the length  117  is adjustable. 
     By adjustment of the length  117 , the area of the aperture  111  can be adjusted to suit the bundle size of articles to be transported by the assembly  110 . 
     Each end extremity of the cleat  113  is provided with a pair of sockets  120 , with each end extremity of the cleat  114  being provided with a pair of sockets  125 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 13 to 17 , each side support  115  includes a pair of upper projections  130  and a pair of lower projections  131 . Each pair of lower projections  131  is slidably received within a pair of associated sockets  125 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 13 to 17 , each pair of upper projections  130  is received within an associated pair of the sockets  120 , with at least one of the projections  130  having a resilient pawl  134  that provides for insertion of the projections  130 , but resiliently moves to engagement with a surface  135  of the associated socket  120 , to retain the support  115  fixed to the upper cleat  113 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 18 to 28 , each side support  115  includes a pair of upper projections  130  and a pair of lower projections  131 . Each pair of upper projections  130  is received within a pair of associated sockets  120 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 18 to 28 , each pair of lower projections  131  is received within an associated pair of the sockets  125 , with at least one of projections  131  having a resilient pawl  134  that provides for insertion of the projections  131 , but resiliently moves to engagement with a surface  135  of the associated socket  125 , to retain the support  115  fixed to the lower cleat  114 . 
     The cleat  114  is provided with a pair of elongated pads  127  that are resilient, and engages the product being transported to at least aid in inhibiting damage to the product, and to aid in inhibiting movement of the product. 
     Each support  115  includes a base  136  that includes the projections  130 , and that co-operates with a cover member  126  to provide a passage  137  that telescopically receives a support part  138 . The lower end extremity of the part  138  includes the projections  131 . The longitudinal length  117  of each support  115  is provided by sliding longitudinal telescopic movement between the base  136  and the associated part  138 . The cover  126 , base  136  and part  138  have co-operating ridges and grooves  147  that engage to guide the part  138  in its sliding movement. 
     The part  138  has a plurality of “ratchet” teeth  139  that extend longitudinally transverse of the longitudinally direction of extension of the part  138 , and that are engaged by a resilient pawl  140  of the base  136 . The pawl  140  has at least one tooth  141  that engages the teeth  139  to retain the base  136  at a desired position relative to the part  138 , that is retaining the base  136  and part  138  so as to provide a desired longitudinal length  117 . However, the base  136  and part  138  can be moved relative to each other by a user providing a compressive force or a tensioning force to the base  136  and part  138  to cause elongation or contraction of the support  115 . During this relative movement, the tooth  141  moves into and out of engagement with selected teeth  139 , by resilient deformation of the pawl  140 . 
     Each support  115  is an assembly including a base  136 , cover member  126  and part  138  slidably associated therewith. Each base  136  is fixed to one of the cover members  125  so that the two supports  115  each have the passage  124 . 
     When the assembly  110  is located about a bundle of products, and the length  117  adjusted to the size of the bundle, a strap (such as the strap  17  of  FIG. 2A )  145  is placed about the assembly  110  so that the strap  145 , upon tensioning pushes, pushes on the projections  148  of the on the pawls  140 , to retain the pawls  140  securely engaged with a selected one or more of the teeth  139  so that the length  117  is then fixed. A releasable fastener or catch would retain the strap  145  tensioned. The strap  145 , upon being released, would enable elongation of the side supports  115  and removal of the products. The cleats  113  and  114  also urged toward each other, so that the length  117  is adjusted by contractions of the supports  115 , so that the bundle is securely held between the cleats  113  and  114 . The strap  145  is held in position by being located in slots  146  and  147  of the cleats  113  and  114  and side supports  115 . 
     Preferably, the lower cleat  114  has a lateral projecting flange  142 . Where two or more assemblies  110  are employed, the flanges  142  can be located so as to be spaced to suit the tines of a forklift vehicle. Each of the flanges  142  has projecting from its lower surface a plurality of resilient pads  146  that engage a supporting surface. 
     Preferably, the upper cleat  113  is provided with at least one projection  143 . The projection  143  engages within a selected one of the sockets  144  to provide for stacking of the assemblies  110 . That is, each assembly  110  has a projection  143  and socket  144  to provide for stacking of the assemblies  110 . The projections  143  and sockets  144  inhibit relative movement between stacked assemblies  110 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the projection  143  is generally central of the cleat  113 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 18 , there are two projections  143 , each adjacent a respective end extremity of the cleat  113 , so as to be adjacent the sockets  120  and supports  115 . 
     Preferably the cleats  113  and  114 , and supports  115  are formed by being moulded of plastics material. Preferably the cleats  113  and  114  are each integrally formed. 
     Preferably, each pawl  140  is moulded integral with the remainder of its associated supporting base  136 . 
     Preferably, each part  138  is integrally formed so as to have the pawls  132  and  134  integrally formed with the remainder of the part  138 . 
     A particular advantage of the above described preferred embodiment is that the length (height)  117  is adjustable, to adjust to the height of the bundle to be transported by the assembly  110 .