US3891170A

US3891170A - Shipping skid

Info

Publication number: US3891170A
Application number: US498557A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis G Bricker; Jack L Isaacs; Douglas C Nobbs
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1974-08-19
Filing date: 1974-08-19
Publication date: 1975-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-24

Abstract

A shipping skid adapted for attachment to the bottom of a major household appliance, such as a refrigerator, to provide improved protection for the refrigeration from impact during transportation.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Bricker et al.

1 1 SHIPPING SKID [75] Inventors: Francis G. Bricker, She1byvil1e;.1ack L. lsaacs; Douglas C. Nobbs, both of Louisville, all of Ky.

I73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Louisville, Ky.

22 Filed: Aug. 19.1974

21 Appl.No.:498,5S7

108/51, 53; 206/521, 320, 326, 386; 229/23 C. 14 R, 14 C; 214/1 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2633.982 4/1953 Addison 206/326 June 24, 1975 2.888122 5/1959 Budd 206/320 X 2972440 211961 Munroe 206/320 X 3.073.438 1/1963 Martin v. 206/326 3.351189 11/1967 Huth 206/320 3.436.045 4/1969 Anspaugh 248/1 19 R 3.471.113 10/1969 Fahey v .1 248/346 1471.1 16 10/1969 De Chcrric i H 206/320 3.504.842 4/1970 Grafslund 206/320 X 3,648,959 3/1972 Wagner 248/346 3,699.901 10/1972 Cook 108/51 X Primary E.\'amz'ner.1ames T. McCall [57] ABSTRACT A shipping skid adapted for attachment to the bottom of a major household appliance. such as a refrigerator to provide improved protection for the refrigeration from impact during transportation.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 24 ms FIG. 28

SHEET 1 SHEEI 4 1 SHIPPING SKID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the packaging art, it is often difficult to provide packaging elements which are relatively inexpensive, adequately protect a packaged item, and are easy to construct and install. These problems are further increased where the items to be packaged and protected are sometimes relatively heavy items, such as a house hold refrigerator for example. Also, where the relatively heavy items change, for example. from a household refrigerator to a clothes dryer, it is sometimes necessary to redesign the packaging element to provide support at different locations.

It is therefore desirable to provide a shipping skid which is constructed to protect against impact from several different directions, has reinforcing elements positioned at locations which permit the packaged items to be widely differing, and which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, the shipping skid is adapted to be secured to the bottom of the item with a network of flanges in contact with a portion of the items case. The shipping skid has an elongated rectangular body having a base, longitudinal axis. and a pcripheral edge flange which extends in a first direction substantially normal to the base. First and second bosses are provided adjacent a respective end of the body and extend in the first direction from the base. A plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges extend laterally across the base and in the first direction and connect opposed portions of the peripheral flange.

A network of major flanges extend in the first direction and along the longitudinal axis. The network of major flanges, the peripheral flange, and the bosses are of a substantially common height. First and second end flanges are each connected to the respective peripheral flange and boss for forming a unitary, sturdy skid structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of this invention installed on a household refrigerator.

FIGS. 2A. 2B and 2C are diagrammatic top views of one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the first end portion of the skid.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the first boss of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a lateral, partial sectional view of the skid along one of the minor flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment of FIG. I, the shipping skid I0 of this invention is attached to a household refrigerator I2.

In the skid embodiment of a composite of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. the shipping skid I0 has an elongated, rectangular. generally concave body 14. The body 14 has a longitudinal axis and a peripheral edge flange 16 extending in a first direction that is substantially normal to a base 18 of the skid body I4.

First and second bosses 20. 22 (FIGS. 2A and 2C) extend in the first direction from the base I8. Each boss 2 20, 22 is positioned adjacent a respective end 24, 26 of the skid body I4.

A plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges 28 (FIGS. 28 and 2C) connect the base 18 and opposed side portions 16a, I61: of the peripheral edge flange I6. The minor flanges 28 extend laterally across the base 18 at substantially right angles to the axis and extend from the base I8 upwardly or in the first direction.

A network 30 of major flanges 32 extend in the first direction from the base 18 of the skid II]. The network 30 is spaced from the peripheral edge flange I6, extends generally along the skid axis, and connects the bosses 20, 22 (FIGS. 2A and 2C). The peripheral edge 16,

bosses

20, 22, and major flanges 32 of the network 30 are of a substantially common height.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2C, first and

second end flanges

34, 36 each extend in the first direction from the base 18 and are each connected to the peripheral flange I6 and a

respective boss

20, 22. These

flanges

34, 36 can be along the axis of the network 30 or angularly disposed relative thereto.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the skid l0 and its associated elements as set forth above are of organic plastic material and are of a unitary construction. The skid can be formed by any method, for example injection molding. The organic plastic material can be of various types known in the art. One especially useful material for use with heavy-weight items such as household refrigerators is high-density polyethylene.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a boss flange 38 extends from an innerface 40 of the first boss 20 in a direction toward the plane I of the base flange 18 (in an opposed direction relative to said first direction). The boss flange terminates at a location spaced from the plane P of the basev The boss flange 38 is an annular flange that is coaxially positioned within the first boss 20. Elements 42 can be provided for connecting side walls of the boss flange 38 to side walls of the first boss 20.

The boss flange 38 can be provided with any or all of the bosses of the skid and can be of a configuration other than annular for providing the function hereinafter more fully described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 44 extend from a lower surface 46 of the base. The protrusions 44 extend downwardly from the lower surface 40 in a direction opposed to said first direction. The protrusions 44 are each preferably positioned on the base at a location beneath and immediately adjacent a respective minor flange 28. Protrusions 44 can be replaced by a gridwork or roughened surface.

As can be seen, the peripheral flange 16, the boss 20, and the major flange 32 terminate at a substantially common elevation as set forth above.

In order to provide strength and sufficient stiffness to protect a refrigerator from impacts against the peripheral flange l6, portions 49 of the minor flange 28 adjacent the inncr section of the base 18 and the peripheral flange I6 are of a greater mass than the other portions of the minor flanges 28.

In order to protect the refrigerator against impact resulting from flecture of the skid responsive to impact or other forces, the

peripheral flange portions

60, 62 of FIG. 2A can be of greater mass than other portions of said peripheral flange I6.

Referring to FIGS. 2A. 2B and 2C. the network 30 can be formed of major flange system configurations that are common or that are different. For example. the major flange system 48 is formed of major flanges 32 having an X configuration. the major flange system 50 is formed of major flanges 32 having a rectangular configuration, the major flange system 52 is similar to system 50 but has a cover element 54.

Supporting flanges 56 extend radially outwardly from each of the bosses 20. 22 and are connected at their outer ends to a peripheral flange 16.

Referring to FIG. 1, the skid can also have a width "W" and length "L sufficient to extend beyond the side and ends of the refrigerator in the installed position thereon for protecting the refrigerator against impact.

la the operation of the apparatus of this invention. the legs of the refrigerator 12 or other holding elements are positioned through openings of the bosses 20. 22 for securing the skid It] to the refrigerator. ln the installed position. the upper surface of the network of major flanges 32 are in contact with the case of the refrigerator along the length thereof.

By so constructing the skid of this invention for association with the item to be shipped. the item is releasably maintained with the skid by the bosses 20. 22. The item is protected against side impacts and forces by the side overhang as set forth above and the interaction of major flanges 28 with the integral flange network 30. The item is protected against end impacts or forces by the interaction of

flanges

34, 36, 56 with

bosses

20, 22 and the integral flange network 30. Boss flange 38 protects the boss 20 against severe and/or repeated impacts. lf the impact is sufficient to cause the breaking down of edge 64, the item is still protected against further impact by the edges 66 of the boss flange 38. Compressional forces during stacking and transportation are carried by the edges of the various flanges and the integral bosses.

Other modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion. and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A shipping skid comprising:

an elongated rectangular body having a longitudinal axis. a base. and a peripheral edge flange extending in a first direction substantially normal to said base; first and second bosses each positioned adjacent a respective end of the body and extending in the first direction from the base;

a plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges each extending laterally across the base and extending in the first direction and connecting opposed portions of the peripheral edge flange.

a network of major flanges each extending in the first direction from the base. said network being spaced from the peripheral flange. extending generally along the axis. and connecting the bosses. said peripheral flange. bosses. and major flanges being of a substantially common height; and

first and second end flanges each being connected to the peripheral flange and a respective boss and extending in the first direction from the base.

2. Apparatus. as set forth in claim I, including a boss flange extending from an interface of the first boss in a direction toward the plane of the base. said boss flange terminating at the location spaced from the plane of the base.

3. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 2, wherein the boss flange is an annular flange coaxially positioned within the first boss.

4. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 2. including elements connecting the boss flange to side walls of the first boss.

5. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality of protrusions. each extending from a lower surface of the base in a direction opposed to said first said direction. said protrusions being positioned on the base at a location beneath a respective minor flange.

6. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1. wherein a portion of the flanges of the flange network are covered and positioned for forming covered rectangular protrusions.

7. Apparatus. as set forth in claim 1. including supporting flanges extending radially outwardly from each of the bosses and being connected to the peripheral flange.

8. Apparatus. as set forth in claim I. wherein the protrusions of the minor flanges adjacent the intersection of the base and the peripheral flange are of greater mass than the other portions of said minor flanges.

* k l k

Claims

1. A shipping skid comprising: an elongated rectangular body having a longitudinal axis, a base, and a peripheral edge flange extending in a first direction substantially normal to said base; first and second bosses each positioned adjacent a respective end of the body and extending in the first direction from the base; a plurality of spaced-apart minor flanges each extending laterally across the base and extending in the first direction and connecting opposed portions of the peripheral edge flange; a network of major flanges each extending in the first direction from the base, said network being spaced from the peripheral flange, extending generally along the axis, and connecting the bosses, said peripheral flange, bosses, and major flanges being of a substantially common height; and first and second end flanges each being connected to the peripheral flange and a respective boss and extending in the first direction from the base.

2. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a boss flange extending from an interface of the first boss in a direction toward the plane of the base, said boss flange terminating at the location spaced from the plane of the base.

3. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the boss flange is an annular flange coaxially positioned within the first boss.

4. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, including elements connecting the boss flange to side walls of the first boss.

5. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality of protrusions, each extending from a lower surface of the base in a direction opposed to said first said direction, said protrusions being positioned on the base at a location beneath a respective minor flange.

6. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a portion of the flanges of the flange network are covered and positioned for forming covered rectangular protrusions.

7. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including supporting flanges extending radially outwardly from each of the bosses and being connected to the peripheral flange.

8. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the protrusions of the minor flanges adjacent the intersection of the base and the peripheral flange are of greater mass than the other portions of said Minor flanges.