Polymeric batten for load strapping and spacing

Abstract

A polymeric batten for supporting an associated load includes a main body having a base wall having a pair of opposing, spaced apart upstanding side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and a pair of opposing, spaced apart legs extending downwardly from the base wall. The legs are spaced from one another a predetermined distance and the side walls are spaced from one another a predetermined distance. The upstanding side walls and base wall define a generally U-shaped profile and the legs and base wall define a generally inverted U-shaped profile that defines a strap receiving region configured for receiving an associated strap material disposed around the load and the batten. A load strapping and supporting system is also disclosed.

1 . A polymeric batten for supporting an associated load comprising: a main body having a base wall having a pair of opposing, spaced apart upstanding side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and a pair of opposing, spaced apart legs extending downwardly from the base wall, the legs being spaced from one another a predetermined distance and the side walls being spaced from one another a predetermined distance that is different from the distance the legs are spaced from one another, and wherein the upstanding side walls and base wall define a generally U-shaped profile and wherein the legs and base wall define a generally inverted U-shaped profile and defining a strap receiving region configured for receiving an associated strap material disposed around the load and the batten. 
   
   
       2 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the predetermined leg spacing is different from the predetermined side wall spacing. 
   
   
       3 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the leg spacing is greater than the predetermined side wall spacing. 
   
   
       4 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the side walls include means for receiving the legs of a nested, like batten. 
   
   
       5 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the receiving means is a notch formed in an outer surface of the side configured for receiving the legs of the nested, like batten. 
   
   
       6 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  including an intermediate support element extending from the base wall from about an intermediate portion thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the intermediate support element is an intermediate support leg extending downwardly from the base wall, between the legs to define a pair of side-by-side strap receiving regions. 
   
   
       8 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the intermediate support element is an intermediate support wall extending upwardly from the base wall, between the side walls. 
   
   
       9 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the polymer is a polyolefin. 
   
   
       10 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the legs have a height measured from the base wall to a free end of the legs that is less than a height of the walls measured from the base wall to a free end of the walls. 
   
   
       11 . The polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the batten is formed from recycled material. 
   
   
       12 . A load supporting and strapping system comprising, in combination:
 a polymeric batten having a main body having a base wall having a pair of opposing, spaced apart upstanding side walls extending upwardly from the base wall and a pair of opposing, spaced apart legs extending downwardly from the base wall, the legs being spaced from one another a predetermined distance and the side walls being spaced from one another a predetermined distance, and wherein the upstanding side walls and base wall define a generally U-shaped profile and wherein the legs and base wall define a generally inverted U-shaped profile and defining a strap receiving region; and   a strap disposed around the load and the batten, the strap positioned within the strap receiving region and around the load, encircling the batten with the load.   
   
   
       13 . The load supporting and strapping system in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the batten includes an intermediate support element extending from the base wall from about an intermediate portion thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The load supporting and strapping system polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the intermediate support element is an intermediate support leg extending downwardly from the base wall, between the legs to define a pair of side-by-side strap receiving regions. 
   
   
       15 . The load supporting and strapping system polymeric batten in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the intermediate support element is an intermediate support wall extending upwardly from the base wall, between the side walls. 
   
   
       16 . The load supporting and strapping system in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the batten is formed from recycled material. 
   
   
       17 . The load supporting and strapping system in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the predetermined leg spacing is different from the predetermined side wall spacing. 
   
   
       18 . The load supporting and strapping system in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the leg spacing is greater than the predetermined side wall spacing.