Method of using dunnage assembly

Abstract

A dunnage assembly that is quickly and easily installed within a shipping container and is easily reworked while remaining secure and adjustable during use is provided. The dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may also include a locking mechanism to keep the sling assembly securely positioned during shipping. Finally, according to one aspect the dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may collapse into the base of the shipping container, allowing it to remain mounted within the shipping container when the shipping container is collapsed for the return shipment back to be reused.

1 . A method of installing a dunnage assembly comprising:
 installing a first side rail within a container;   installing a second side rail within the container;   connecting at least one cross bar to a sling assembly;   connecting a first section of at least one slider assembly to the at least one cross bar;   flexing a second section of the at least one slider assembly down over one of the first side rail and the second side rail to engage the respective side rail; and   supporting the sling assembly, the at least one cross bar, and the at least one slider assembly between the first and second side rails and within the container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 connecting a first section of one of at least two slider assemblies to a first end of the at least one cross bar; 
 connecting a first section of the other of the at least two slider assemblies to a second end of the at least one cross bar; and 
 flexing a second section of the at least two slider assemblies over the first side rail at the first end of the at least one cross bar and over the second side rail at the second end of the at least one cross bar. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 rotating the first section of the at least two slider assemblies relative to the second section of the at least two slider assemblies; and 
 simultaneously sliding the second section of the at least two slider assemblies along the first and second side rails, respectively. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 placing at least one item to be shipped within a bag in the sling assembly. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 moving the at least one cross bar between a first position wherein the at least one cross bar is perpendicular relative to the first and second side rails and a second position wherein the at least one cross bar is angled relative to the first and second side rails. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein moving the at least one cross bar between the first and second positions is accomplished by the rotation of the first section of the at least two slider assemblies relative to the second section of the at least two slider assemblies and by the sliding of the second section of the at least two slider assemblies relative to the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 placing at least one item to be shipped within a bag in the sling assembly that is longer than a width of the container in which the dunnage assembly is installed when the at least one cross bar is in the second position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 locking one of the at least two slider assemblies in place on the first side rail; and 
 locking the other one of the at least two slider assemblies in place on the second side rail. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein locking the at least two slider assemblies is accomplished by engaging a lock arm with the second section of the at least two slider assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 removing the sling assembly from the dunnage assembly by disengaging the at least two slider assemblies from engagement with the first and second side rails; 
 reconfiguring the sling assembly into a second configuration; and 
 reengaging the at least two slider assemblies with the first and second side rails. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein removing the sling assembly from the dunnage assembly further comprises:
 flexing the second portion of the at least two slider assemblies up and off of the first and second side rails. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method of collapsing a container with a dunnage assembly installed therein comprising:
 securing a first side rail in a first position within a container;   securing a second side rail in a first position within the container;   connecting at least one cross bar to the first and second side rails via at least two slider assemblies having a first section operably connected to the at least one cross bar and a second section operable to engage one of the first side rail and the second side rail, wherein the first section of the at least two slider assemblies is rotatable relative to the second section;   supporting a sling assembly operably connected to the at least one cross bar between the first and second side rails;   moving the first and second side rails to a second position within the container, thereby causing the sling assembly, the at least one cross bar, and the at least two slider assemblies to collapse within the container; and   collapsing the container with the dunnage assembly enclosed therein.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 installing a plurality of mounting plates within the container, with each of the plurality of mounting plates having a channel defined therein for operable connection with the first and second side rails. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 inserting a plurality of shoulders operably connected to the first and second side bars through the channels defined in the plurality of mounting plates; and 
 engaging a lock arm of the plurality of shoulders with one of the at least two slider assemblies to lock the slider assembly in place on the respective side rail adjacent to the respective shoulder. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein collapsing the container further comprises:
 rotating a first and second end of the container about a hinge aligned with a joint between an upper plate and lower plate of the plurality of mounting plates; and 
 rotating a first and second side of the container about a hinge therein. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein securing the first and second side rails in the first position further comprises:
 engaging at least one rotatable hook with the first and second side rails to hold the first and second side rails in the first position. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein moving the first and second side rails to the second position further comprises:
 disengaging the at least one rotatable hook from the first and second side rails; and 
 allowing the first and second side rails to fall into the bottom of the container. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 rotating the first section of the at least two slider assemblies relative to the second section of at least two slider assemblies; and 
 simultaneously sliding the second section of at least two slider assemblies along the first and second side rails. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 moving the at least one cross bar between a first position wherein the at least one cross bar is perpendicular relative to the first and second side rails and a second position wherein the at least one cross bar is angled relative to the first and second side rails; 
 wherein moving the at least one cross bar between the first and second position is accomplished by the rotation of the first section of the at least two slider assemblies relative to the second section of the at least two slider assemblies. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 placing at least one item to be shipped within a bag in the sling assembly that is longer than a width of the container.