Decking beam rack apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for management of conventional decking beams incorporates unique racks with special features facilitating the organization, storage, protection, and shipping of decking beams when the decking beams are not in use supporting shipments of cargo. Additional features facilitate stacking of racks when loaded with beams; and for stacking of empty racks themselves in minimal space for their storage or transportation when not in use. Identification of beams and of racks for wireless location-tracking is included.

1 . A first rack for holding decking beams which are used to support cargo in transportation vehicles, said rack comprising:
 an elongate rectangular base having a footprint length sufficient for the base to retain said decking beams within the footprint of the base when the beams are placed on top of the base lengthwise of the base, and the base having a footprint width sufficient to retain a layer of said decking beams placed on the top of the base side by side;   four sockets in a rectangular pattern on the base;   four posts, each of said posts received in a different one of said four sockets, said posts normally vertically disposed in said sockets to retain said beams within the footprint of the base when the beams are in place on the top of the base; and wherein   the base is arranged to store said posts in a collapsed condition when beams are removed from said top of the base.   
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1  and wherein:
 the posts and sockets are in four corners of the base; 
 the posts are removable from the sockets to enable collapse of said rack for storage of the rack; and 
 the base has storage space in the base to receive and contain said posts when removed from the sockets. 
 
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 2  and wherein said posts have longitudinal axes, and slots extending parallel to said axes, the rack further comprising:
 end panels received in said slots to limit said beams from moving lengthwise outside the footprint of the base, 
 and wherein said end panels are removable from said slots; and 
 said base has a storage area sized to receive and store said end panels, when removed from said slots for storage of said rack. 
 
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 3  and further comprising:
 post tops shaped to facilitate reception and retention of another rack stacked on top of said first-mentioned rack; and 
 a stabilizer bar receivable on said post tops to extend across the space between tops of two of said posts to stabilize said two posts for facilitating loading of said another rack onto said first-mentioned rack. 
 
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 1  and wherein said base portion includes:
 an upper frame portion which is elongate, for receiving and supporting decking beams on it for storage and transport of said decking beams; 
 at least one lower frame portion having a bottom surface for placement on a floor surface for supporting said upper frame portion spaced above said floor surface; 
 spaced side members of said upper frame portion; 
 spaced front and rear cross members extending through space between said side members and fixed to said side members; and 
 said posts are normally disposed in a vertical attitude at locations on said side members for inhibiting fall of decking beams over side members of said first rack, said posts being movable from a vertical attitude enabling support of an additional rack, toward horizontal attitude for collapsing said first rack. 
 
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 said upper frame portion has a length of between 96 and 106 inches, and width between 35 and 48; and 
 the height of said rack from said bottom surface of said lower frame portion to upper ends of said posts when said posts are disposed in said vertical attitude is between 30 and 48 inches. 
 
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 said sockets are on said lower frame portions; 
 said posts have lower ends received in said sockets; and 
 said posts are removable upward by hand from said sockets for storage. 
 
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 7  and wherein:
 said storage space is between said upper frame portion and said lower frame portion for receipt and storage of at least some of said posts after removal of said posts from said sockets. 
 
     
     
         9 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 said posts are pivotally mounted to said upper frame portion to pivot from said vertical attitude downward toward said horizontal attitude for collapsing said rack. 
 
     
     
         10 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 certain ones of said sockets are shaped to receive ends of said posts entered into said certain sockets from above and from below said certain ones of said sockets, and prevent said post ends from movement in directions transverse to longitudinal axes of said posts. 
 
     
     
         11 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 said upper frame side members have upper surfaces about six inches from said bottom surface of said lower frame portion. 
 
     
     
         12 . The rack of  claim 5  and wherein:
 said upper and lower frame portions are vertically spaced at sides and ends of said upper frame portion, providing openings at the sides and ends of said rack to receive lifting forks of a fork-lift truck to positions under the upper frame portion for a single fork-lift truck to lift the rack from either side or either end of the rack. 
 
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 12  and further comprising:
 a pair of end posts at each end of the upper frame portion, and supporting panels closing the respective ends of said upper frame portion above said openings at the ends of said upper frame portion, to inhibit decking beams when resting on said upper frame portion, from sliding lengthwise. 
 
     
     
         14 . The rack of  claim 13  and wherein:
 said side posts are foldable and end posts are removable to enable stacking of said upper frame portions with said posts and panels flat to minimal height for transporting racks without decking beams on them. 
 
     
     
         15 . The rack of  claim 5  and further comprising:
 an identifier device mounted on one of said frame portions to facilitate wireless identification of said rack. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method of management of decking beams which are used to support cargo in transportation vehicles, comprising:
 keeping track of counts of decking beams and locations of decking beams in an inventory of decking beams under management;   keeping track of decking beams in use transporting merchandise;   keeping track of decking beams being transported but not being used;   keeping track of decking beams stored in storage racks moveable by fork lift truck; and   responding to customer requests for decking beams by reporting to the customer, the availability, and location, and providing for pick-up or delivery of decking beams.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising:
 using wireless location determination system for locating said racks. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising:
 providing on each of said decking beams, a unique identifier different from the others of said decking beams, for tracking individual decking beams. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising:
 providing for tracking said decking beams, communication with a wireless location-determination system responsive to said identifiers. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising:
 using bar coding on said beams for said identifiers.