Patent ID: 8240473

Claim:
An article packaging system for packaging an article having a surface and a width, the packaging system comprising: one or more elongated clamps, each configured to releasable secure the article by applying clamping force to an area on the surface of the article, each elongated clamp having: a length that exceeds the width of the article; and a hinge on one end of the one or more elongated clamps that is configured to allow each of the one or more elongated clamps to rotatably swing into an open position to receive the article and to rotatably swing into a closed position to lock the article securely within the elongated clamp, the hinge including an eyebolt having an eye and a link connected to the eye of the eyebolt that is a carabiner; and a carton that is configured to house the one or more elongated clamps and the article while locked within the one or more elongated clamps, the carton having walls, the one or more elongated clamps being configured to cause all portions of the article to be substantially spaced from the walls of the carton while the article is locked within the one or more elongated clamps and the one or more elongated clamps and the article are both within the carton.