Apparatus and method for facilitating supporting of an object

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for facilitating supporting of an object are disclosed. One such apparatus includes an engagement member attachable to the object and adjustable from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the engagement member is configured to engage a support. The engagement member preferably occupies less volume in the first configuration than in the second configuration. The support may include a lifting member such as a forklift tine, or may include a support surface, for example.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for facilitating supporting of an object, the apparatus comprising an engagement member attachable to the object and adjustable from a first configuration to a second configuration in which said engagement member is configured to engage a support.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member occupies less volume in said first configuration than in said second configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is configured to engage a lifting member, when in said second configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said engagement member is configured to engage a forklift tine, when in said second configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said engagement member is shaped to define a channel in the engagement member for receiving the lifting member therein, when in said second configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is configured to engage a support surface to support the object above the surface, when in said second configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member comprises: 
 (a) an attachment portion for attaching said engagement member to the object; and  
 (b) an engagement portion for engaging the support.  
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said engagement portion comprises a central portion and at least one side portion.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said at least one side portion comprises first and second side portions disposed on opposite sides of said central portion.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said central portion and said at least one side portion are substantially coplanar in said first configuration and are non-coplanar in said second configuration.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said central portion and said at least one side portion are substantially perpendicular in said second configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said at least one side portion is pivotally connected to said central portion.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a pivotal connector pivotally connecting said at least one side portion to said central portion.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said pivotal connector comprises fabric material attached to said central portion and to said at least one side portion.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said engagement member is adjustable between said first configuration and said second configuration by pivoting said at least one side portion relative to said central portion.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a retainer engageable with said at least one side portion to retain said engagement member in said second configuration.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein: 
 (a) said at least one side portion comprises first and second side portions pivotally connected to opposite sides of said central portion; and  
 (b) said retainer comprises a retainer clip engageable with said first and second side portions.  
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein: 
 (a) said engagement member has first and second ends and extends in a lengthwise direction therebetween; and  
 (b) said engagement portion is substantially planar in said first configuration and is curved about an axis parallel to the lengthwise direction in said second configuration.  
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said engagement member comprises legs at opposite sides thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein each of said legs extends from a side of said engagement member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of said engagement portion in said first configuration.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said engagement member is shaped to define a first engagement channel extending in the lengthwise direction for receiving a lifting member therein, when in said second configuration.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said engagement member comprises first and second opposing sides extending in the lengthwise direction, said sides having respective recesses defined therein.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said recesses are shaped to define a second engagement channel extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction for receiving the lifting member therein, when said engagement member is in said second configuration.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein each of said recesses is shaped to define a clearance space for receiving a strap extending from the object.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said engagement portion comprises first and second opposing surfaces, said second surface defining a plurality of spaced apart recesses in said engagement portion, each of the recesses extending along said engagement portion in the lengthwise direction.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein each of said recesses defined by said second surface is V-shaped when in said first configuration.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein each of said recesses is defined by first and second intersecting walls formed by said second surface, wherein said first wall has a protrusion extending therefrom, and wherein said second wall has a complementary recess shaped to snugly receive said protrusion therein when said engagement portion is in said second configuration.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said engagement member is adjustable from said first to said second configuration by bending said engagement portion about the axis with said second surface at a lesser distance from the axis than said first surface, whereby said recesses are reduced in width.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said attachment portion comprises fabric material attached to said first surface of said engagement portion.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said attachment portion comprises a gripping device for gripping a strap extending from the object.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said engagement member is adjustable from said first to said second configuration by bending said engagement portion about the axis with said second surface at a greater distance from the axis than said first surface, whereby said recesses are expanded in width.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a retainer for retaining said engagement member in said second configuration.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said retainer comprises a portion of said attachment portion.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said attachment portion comprises fabric material.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said attachment portion comprises at least one fastener for releasably fastening to the object.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein said at least one fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said attachment portion comprises a surface of said engagement portion.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said attachment portion comprises a gripping device configured to grip a strap extending from the object.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said gripping device comprises a plurality of teeth located to cooperate with a wall of a cavity defined in the engagement member, to grip the strap therebetween.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein said gripping device comprises a serrated tongue extending into the cavity, said teeth being defined by serrations of said tongue.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a retainer engageable with said engagement member to retain said engagement member in said second configuration.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is adjustable from said second configuration to said first configuration.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is substantially planar in said first configuration.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is non-planar in said second configuration.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said engagement member is curved in said second configuration.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said engagement member is arch-shaped in said second configuration.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said engagement member comprises a first portion and a second portion, and wherein said second portion is substantially perpendicular to said first portion in said second configuration.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member comprises corrugated cardboard.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member comprises wood.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member comprises plastic.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said engagement member comprises polyethylene.  
     
     
         52 . A system comprising the apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising the object.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said object comprises a container.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53  wherein said container comprises a flexible intermediate bulk container.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52  further comprising a second apparatus as defined by  claim 1 , and wherein said object comprises an attachment member attachable to said apparatus and to said second apparatus.  
     
     
         56 . An apparatus for facilitating supporting of an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) means for attaching an engagement member to the object; and    (b) means for adjusting the engagement member from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the engagement member is configured to engage a support.    
     
     
         57 . A method of facilitating supporting of an object, the method comprising adjusting an engagement member attachable to the object from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the engagement member is configured to engage a support.