Generic rack transportation top cap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9809146-B2
Application number	US-201514942330-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2015
Priority date	Nov 16, 2015
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

Abstract

A top cap for securing items during shipping is disclosed. The top cap consists of a body having one or more features configured to engage the top of the item being shipped. In certain embodiments, the engagements features are adjustable and may accommodate different sizes of items to be shipped. The body also comprises one or more constraint securement features configured to receive constraints such that the top cap may be secured to structural elements of a container in which the item is being shipped. Although not limited to particular applications, the top cap is particularly suited for securing computer racks for shipment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for securing an item for transportation, comprising:
a body;
one or more engagement features,
wherein the one or more engagement features are movable between two or more positions along the body, and
wherein the one or more engagement features engage one or more structural elements of the item to fit the device to a top of the item;

one or more direct engagement features, wherein the one or more direct engagement features engage one or more other devices; and
one or more constraint securement features distributed around the body, wherein the one or more constraint securement features are shaped to receive one or more constraints to secure the device to a first structural feature of a container.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises:
one or more integral protrusions; and
one or more recesses;
wherein each of the one or more integral protrusions and the one or more recesses engage the item when the device is placed atop the item.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises one or more slots that mate with the one or more engagement features and wherein the two or more positions correspond to different positions of the one or more engagement features within the one or more slots.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body defines one or more holes for receiving the one or more engagement features and wherein the two or more positions correspond to different holes of the one or more holes for receiving the one or more engagement features.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises:
one or more first mating features disposed around the body for attaching the device to at least one of a second structural feature of the container and a second mating feature disposed on a second body of a second device.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises an upper face having a plurality of protrusions sized and positioned to mate with an underside of a second device.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first structural feature of the container comprises at least one of a tie-down system, a rail, a hook, a loop, an eyebolt, an anchor, a tie-down pocket, and a ratchet.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more constraints comprise at least one of a strap, a rope, a cable, a cord, a chain, netting, and a solid bar.

9. A top cap for securing an item to be transported, comprising:
a body defining a plurality of slots;
a bracket disposed in at least one of the plurality of slots, wherein the bracket is selectively positionable along the at least one of the plurality of slots to engage an engagement feature of the item to fit the top cap to a top of the item;
one or more direct engagement features disposed about the top cap, wherein the one or more direct engagement features engage one or more other top caps; and
one or more constraint securement features disposed around the body shaped to receive one or more constraints to secure the top cap to a first structural feature of a container.

10. The top cap of claim 9 , wherein the top cap further comprises:
one or more mating features engaged to at least one of a second structural feature of the container and a first mating feature of a second top cap.

11. The top cap of claim 9 , wherein the one or more constraint securement features comprise at least one of an eyebolt, a securement slot defined by the body, a clip, a hoop, a tie-down anchor, and a pulley.

12. The top cap of claim 9 , wherein the first structural feature of the container is one of a tie-down system, a rail, a hook, a loop, an eyebolt, an anchor, a tie-down pocket, and a ratchet.

13. The top cap of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the one or more constraints comprise at least one of a strap, a rope, a cable, a cord, a chain, netting, and a solid bar.

14. The top cap of claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises an upper face having a plurality of protrusions mated with an underside of a second top cap.

15. A method of securing an item to be transported comprising:
placing a top cap having a body, one or more engagement features and one or more constraint securement features on the item, wherein the one or more constraint securement features are distributed around the body;
moving the one or more engagement features along the body from a first position on the body to at least a second position on the body;
engaging the one or more engagement features of the top cap with one or more structural elements of the item to fit the top cap to a top of the item;
engaging one or more direct engagement features of the top cap with one or more other top caps;
receiving, by the one or more constraint securement features, one or more constraints to secure the item to a first structural feature of a container; and
securing the top cap to the first structural feature via at least one of the one or more constraints.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the one or more engagement features of the top cap comprises a bracket, wherein the body is defined by one or more slots, wherein engaging the one or more engagement features of the top cap with one or more structural elements of the item further comprises:
adjusting a position of the bracket along at least one of the one or more slots.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first structural feature of the container comprises at least one of a tie-down system, a rail, a hook, a loop, an eyebolt, an anchor, a tie-down pocket, and a ratchet.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more constraints comprise at least one of a strap, a rope, a cable, a cord, a chain, netting, and a solid bar.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
engaging a mating feature of the top cap with one of a second structural feature of the container and a second mating feature of a second top cap.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
removing the top cap from the item;
adjusting a position of the one or more engagement features to accommodate a second item;
engaging the one or more engagement features with a structural element of the second item;
attaching the one or more constraints to the one or more constraint securement features of the top cap; and
securing the top cap to one or more second structural features of the container via the one or more constraints.

Assignees

• Dell Products Lp

Inventors

• Myers Dusty
• Embleton Steven
• Curlee James Don
• Money Charles

Classifications

• B60P7/18

  Protecting freight containers or forwarding containers · CPC title

• B60P7/10 Primary

  the load being plates, cases, or boxes · CPC title

• B65D90/0053

  fixed on the side wall of the container (B65D90/0066, B65D90/0073 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D90/00

  Component parts, details or accessories for large containers (B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence) · CPC title