Transportation pad

Abstract

A rack assembly for transporting a unit from a first location to a second location and installing the unit at the second location on a support surface. The rack assembly can include a first pad member coupled to and supported by a plurality of uprights, a second pad member coupled to and supported on the plurality of uprights over the first pad member, and a space defined by the first pad member, the plurality of uprights, and the second pad member for receiving the unit. The second pad member can be removed from the rack assembly at the second location, and the first pad member and the unit can be secured to the support surface, such that the first pad member remains at the second location as a mounting structure for the unit when the unit is operational.

1 . A rack assembly for transporting a unit from a first location to a second location and installing the unit at the second location on a support surface, the assembly comprising:
 a first pad member coupled to and supported by a plurality of uprights;   a second pad member coupled to and supported on the plurality of uprights over the first pad member; and   a space defined by the first pad member, the plurality of uprights, and the second pad member for receiving the unit;   wherein the second pad member is removeable from the rack assembly at the second location, and the first pad member and the unit are secured to the support surface, such that the first pad member remains at the second location as a mounting structure for the unit when the unit is operational.   
   
   
       2 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a stabilizing member coupled at an angle between adjacent uprights. 
   
   
       3 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second pad members is formed of a substantially non-degradable material. 
   
   
       4 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of uprights defines a pre-stressed region. 
   
   
       5 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a third pad member coupled to and supported on the plurality of uprights, and with the plurality of uprights and the second pad member, defining a second space for receiving a second unit. 
   
   
       6 . The rack assembly of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the plurality of uprights, the second pad member, and the third pad member defining the second space are transportable to a third location for installation on a second support surface. 
   
   
       7 . The rack assembly of  claim 6  wherein the third pad member is removeable from the rack assembly at the third location, and the second pad member and the second unit are secured to the second support surface, such that the second pad member remains at the third location as a mounting structure for the second unit when the second unit is operational. 
   
   
       8 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a second plurality of uprights coupled to and supported by the second pad member; and
 a third pad member coupled to and supported on the second plurality of uprights;   wherein the third pad member, the second plurality of uprights, and the second pad member define a second space for receiving a second unit.   
   
   
       9 . The rack assembly of  claim 8  wherein the second plurality of uprights, the second pad member, and the third pad member defining the second space are transportable to a third location for installation on a second support surface. 
   
   
       10 . The rack assembly of  claim 9  wherein the third pad member is removeable from the rack assembly at the third location, and the second pad member and the second unit are secured to the second support surface, such that the second pad member remains at the third location as a mounting structure for the second unit when the second unit is operational. 
   
   
       11 . The rack assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first pad provides insulation between the unit and the support surface. 
   
   
       12 . A system for transportation of a unit from a first location to a second location and installation of the unit on a support surface, the system comprising:
 a transportation module comprising:
 an installation module comprising a first pad member and the unit; 
 a plurality of uprights coupled to and supporting the installation module; and 
 a second pad member supported on the plurality of uprights over the first pad member; 
 wherein the unit is supported by the first pad member and positioned in a space defined by the first pad member, the plurality of uprights, and the second pad member; 
   wherein the installation module is decoupled from the transportation module at the second location and securedly mounted on the support surface for operation of the unit.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the transportation module further comprises a stabilizing member coupled at an angle between adjacent uprights. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the first and second pad members is formed of a substantially non-degradable material. 
   
   
       15 . The rack assembly of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of uprights defines a pre-stressed region. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the transportation module further comprises:
 a second installation module comprising the second pad member and a second unit;   a second plurality of uprights coupled to and supporting the second installation module; and   a third pad member supported on the second plurality of uprights over the first pad member;   wherein the second unit is supported by the second pad member and positioned in a space defined by the second pad member, the second plurality of uprights, and the third pad member.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the second installation module is decoupled from the transportation module at a third location and securedly mounted on a second support surface for operation of the second unit. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the first pad provides insulation between the unit and the support surface.