Composite support rack and associated method

Abstract

A fiber-reinforced composite support rack is positioned in a transportation container. The support rack is provided for supporting cargo on the support rack. An associated method is disclosed.

1 . A method comprising the step of supporting cargo in a transportation container by use of a fiber-reinforced composite support rack.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting step comprises supporting a first cargo unit on a horizontal fiber-reinforced composite first plank.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of stowing a second cargo unit underneath the first plank.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the supporting step comprises supporting the first cargo unit on both the first plank and a horizontal fiber-reinforced composite second plank spaced apart from and parallel to the first plank.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the support rack comprises a fiber-reinforced composite platform and at least one leg, and    the supporting step comprises (i) the platform supporting the cargo, and (ii) the leg supporting the platform.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting step comprises the support rack supporting palletized cargo.  
   
   
       7 . A transportation apparatus, comprising: 
 a transportation container, and    a fiber-reinforced composite support rack positioned in the transportation container for supporting cargo on the support rack.    
   
   
       8 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the transportation container is a rail car, a trailer, a shipping container, or a sea container.  
   
   
       9 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the transportation container comprises vertical first and second container walls,    the support rack comprises horizontal fiber-reinforced composite first and second planks and vertical first and second legs,    each of the first and second legs is positioned next to a respective one of the first and second container walls and underlies and supports an end portion of each of the first and second planks.    
   
   
       10 . The transportation apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support rack comprises a third leg that is positioned between the first and second legs and underlies and supports an intermediate portion of the first and second planks.  
   
   
       11 . The transportation container of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the transportation container comprises vertical first and second container walls and a mount secured to each of the first and second container walls, and    the support rack comprises (i) horizontal fiber-reinforced composite first and second planks positioned on both mounts and (ii) a leg underlying and supporting an intermediate portion of the first and second planks.    
   
   
       12 . A cargo support rack adapted to be mounted in a transportation container and to support cargo in the transportation container and comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material.  
   
   
       13 . The support rack of  claim 12 , comprising a frame and a cargo platform mounted on the frame to support cargo in an elevated position in the transportation container, wherein the cargo platform comprises the fiber-reinforced composite material.  
   
   
       14 . The support rack of  claim 13 , wherein the frame comprises the fiber-reinforced composite material.  
   
   
       15 . The support rack of  claim 13 , wherein the cargo platform comprises a horizontal fiber-reinforced composite plank mounted on the frame.  
   
   
       16 . The support rack of  claim 15 , wherein the plank comprises a tubular outer wall and a plurality of internal reinforcement walls mounted within the outer wall to reinforce the outer wall.  
   
   
       17 . The support rack of  claim 15 , wherein the first plank weighs about 2.7 pounds per foot.  
   
   
       18 . The support rack of  claim 15 , wherein the first plank is moisture impervious.  
   
   
       19 . The support rack of  claim 13 , wherein the frame comprises first and second legs underlying and supporting the cargo platform.  
   
   
       20 . The support rack of  claim 13 , wherein the frame comprises a single leg underlying and supporting the cargo platform.