Abstract: This invention relates to a shipping facility including at least one cargo supporting structure mounted for easy, sliding movement on a receiving structure disposed within the cargo bay of a cargo transport vehicle preferably adapted for side and/or rear loading and unloading, wherein the at least one cargo supporting structure and the cargo held thereby is secured, during transport thereof, by conventional retaining facilities to minimize and dampen the lateral, longitudinal, oscillatory and random transportation forces which act upon the cargo during the transport thereof. The at least one cargo supporting structure is adapted for easy slidable/rollable movement along said receiving structure between an operating position within a shipment area of the cargo bay and a non-operating position within a storage area of the cargo bay for thereby freeing the shipment area for shipment of any type of cargo which it is normally capable of holding, after the original cargo has been unloaded, and vice versa.

Abstract: A reusable shipping container for frangible sheets and the like having a three part telescoping base adjustable in length and a pair of three part telescoping transverse sheet support frames adjustable in height removably attached to the ends of the base wherein the container is unitized using flexible banding straps having load bearing loops for lifting the container. The container also provides removable caster wheels and sheet edge contacting separator strips. The container is particularly adapted for shipping, storing and unloading large multiple glazed window units of the type used in large commercial buildings. A method of unloading a container in which one of the transverse sheet support frames is moved from an end position on the base to a position nearer the other transverse support frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for shipping sheets is disclosed in which there is provided a horizontal base and a vertical backwall. The sheets are stacked on edge on the base and supported in position by the vertical backwall and a plurality of diagonal bands running from the top of the backwall to the front of the base. Methods of loading and unloading the container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rack for shipping flat glass sheets has a slanted backwall between a pair of standards and a base to support the sheets on edge sloped toward the backwall for shipping and packing stability. A front restraint having a pair of vertical posts and sheet engaging surface therebetween is mounted in the base and urged toward the backwall against the sheet by a compression tool. A rod pivotally mounted on each of the standards is detachably secured to the post of the front restraint. Lateral motion of the sheets is eliminated by end restraints mounted on the sides of the base. An adjustable dunnage member made of interlocking polystyrene pieces is used as a filler to secure less than a full load of sheets in the rack. An adjustable outrigger mounted on the base is employed as a filler for space between racks when loaded on a railcar or trailer.

Abstract: A bow and spreader bar has adjustable telescoping members for mounting slings thereon when lifting glass sheets and a pin mounted on the end of each telescoping member to mount the bar in holes provided on sides of an open-top trailer. In the mounted position, the bar supports the protective covering and aids in maintaining the trailer walls in spaced relationship to one another.

Abstract: A bow and spreader bar has adjustable telescoping members for mounting slings thereon when lifting glass sheets and a pin mounted on the end of each telescoping member to mount the bar in holes provided on sides of an open-top trailer. In the mounted position, the bar supports the protective covering and aids in maintaining the trailer walls in spaced relationship to one another.

Abstract: A collapsible rack includes a base for supporting articles, e.g., glass sheets, on an edge and is detachably secured to a pair of L-shaped supports to maintain the supports in spaced relationship. A pair of struts is detachably secured to vertical portions of the L-shaped supports to support the articles in a vertical position. Banding is provided to unitize the articles and the L-shaped supports together to provide a stabilized rack.

Abstract: A shipping rack of the type having a backwall secured to a base for supporting automotive windshields in a vertical position has spacer strips pivotally mounted on each of a pair of spaced bars secured to the rack. A spacer strip from each of the bars is positioned between adjacent windshields to separate the windshields loaded on the rack. Restraining facilities secure the windshields on the rack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a front restraint device for article shipping bins. The articles, e.g., automotive backlites are positioned on an edge and tilted to rest on an adjustable back support for packing stability. The articles are secured in the bin by a pneumatic front restraint device or a mechanical front restraint device incorporating features of the invention and mounted at the ingress end of the bin. The pneumatic front restraint device includes an inflatable member which when inflated moves a rigid pad into engagement with the articles. The mechanical front restraint device includes a rigid pad which is moved into engagement with the articles and biased toward the articles. The front restraint devices act on the articles to (1) secure the articles in the bin as a unitized pack; (2) limit oscillatory and lateral motions of the articles; and (3) dampen oscillatory and lateral forces acting on the articles during transit.

Abstract: A glass pack tilted against a support member is lifted by a sling assembly including a spreader bar, a pair of slings each having a half bridle and a protective shoe. Each of the slings includes (1) a first strap portion having its course along one side of the pack, over the shoe, and around the bottom edge of the pack and (2) a second strap portion secured to the end of the first strap portion. The free ends of the slings are secured to the spreader bar and spaced relative to one another to engage the pack at its 1/5 points.The half bridle has one end secured to the second strap portion with its second end engaging the adjacent side of the pack to prevent racking of the pack when handled by the sling assembly.The shoe has a generally U shaped configuration and a pair of spaced pins each rotatably mounted between opposed legs. The rotatably mounted pins facilitate movement of the first strap portion when the stack is lifted by the sling assembly from the tilted position to an upright position.

Abstract: A collapsible rack includes a base for supporting articles, e.g., glass sheets, on an edge and is detachably secured to a pair of L-shaped supports to maintain the supports in spaced relationship. A pair of struts is detachably secured to vertical portions of the L-shaped supports to support the articles in a vertical position. Banding is provided to unitize the articles and the L-shaped supports together to provide a stabilized rack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a front restraint device for article shipping bins. The articles, e.g., automotive backlites are positioned on an edge and tilted to rest on an adjustable back support for packing stability. The articles are secured in the bin by a pneumatic front restraint device or a mechanical front restraint device incorporating features of the invention and mounted at the ingress end of the bin. The pneumatic front restraint device includes an inflatable member which when inflated moves a rigid pad into engagement with the articles. The mechanical front restraint device includes a rigid pad which is moved into engagement with the articles and biased toward the articles. The front restraint devices act on the articles to (1) secure the articles in the bin as a unitized pack; (2) limit oscillatory and lateral motions of the articles; and (3) dampen oscillatory and lateral forces acting on the articles during transit.

Abstract: A nestable article shipping rack of the type having a backwall secured to a base includes back supports pivotally mounted on the backwall for movement into and out of the backwall, end restraints pivotally mounted on the base for movement into and out of the base, article edge supports slideably mounted on the base for movement toward and away from the backwall; and front standards pivotally mounted to the base for vertical and horizontal displacement.

Abstract: A rack for shipping articles, e.g., automotive windshields has a pair of bottom edge supports pivotally mounted in spaced relation on the base to support the articles on an edge.

Abstract: A method of and device for restraining rotational motion of articles, for example, glass sheets, automotive backlites or automotive windshields, during transit are disclosed. The articles are positioned on an edge and tilted to rest on back support members. A first force is applied to a top portion of the articles and a second force is applied to a bottom portion of the articles to urge the articles against the back support members. During transit, the articles tend to rotate about the edge but are restrained by the first force which is approximately equal to or greater than the resultant moment of force acting on the top portion of the articles and the second force which is approximately equal to or greater than the resultant moment of force acting on the bottom portion of the articles.

Abstract: An article shipping bin has an adjustable back support that includes a pair of struts each pivotally mounted at a first end to a rigid plate and at their second end to the back wall of the bin. Adjusting the struts such that the distance between the first end of the struts is less than the distance between the second end of the struts provides (1) an angle of tilt to the articles for packing stability and to cancel small swaying forces acting on the articles during shipment thereof and (2) stability to the back support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a front restraint device for article shipping bins. The articles, e.g., automotive backlites are positioned on an edge and tilted to rest on an adjustable back support for packing stability. The articles are secured in the bin by a pneumatic front restraint device or a mechanical front restraint device incorporating features of the invention and mounted at the ingress end of the bin. The pneumatic front restraint device includes an inflatable member which when inflated moves a rigid pad into engagement with the articles. The mechanical front restraint device includes a rigid pad which is moved into engagement with the articles and biased toward the articles. The front restraint devices act on the articles to (1) secure the articles in the bin as a unitized pack; (2) limit oscillatory and lateral motions of the articles; and (3) dampen oscillatory and lateral forces acting on the articles during transit.

Abstract: End restraints for article shipping bins each include a rigid plate pivotally mounted on a carriage for movement toward and away from sides of the articles. Biasing facilities act on the carriage to (I) maintain the plate in contact with the sides of the articles; (2) limit longitudinal motion of the articles; and (3) dampen longitudinal forces acting on the articles during transit.